Understanding Footnotes and Endnotes in Chicago Style

Footnotes and endnotes are the defining feature of Chicago's notes-bibliography system. They allow you to cite sources while also providing space for commentary, cross-references, and additional context. ## Footnotes vs Endnotes ### Footnotes Appear at the bottom of each page, separated from the main text by a short line. They're preferred when readers need immediate access to citation information. ### Endnotes Appear on a separate page at the end of the chapter or document. They're cleaner visually but require readers to flip to the end. ### Which to use? Most instructors specify footnotes, as they're easier for readers. Check your course guidelines. ## Footnote Formatting Rules First citation of a source: 1. Author First Last, Title of Book (Place: Publisher, Year), page#. Subsequent citations of the same source: 1. Last, Shortened Title, page#. For repeated citations with no intervening sources: Ibid., page#. (Chicago recommends using shortened citations instead of Ibid.) ## Chicago Footnote Examples ### Book (First Citation) ¹ Anthony Grafton, The Footnote: A Curious History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 45-47. ### Journal Article (First Citation) ² Jane Smith, "Digital Humanities and Historical Research," Journal of Digital History 15, no. 2 (2023): 88-89. ### Shortened Subsequent Citation ³ Grafton, The Footnote, 92. ## Formatly Automates Chicago Footnote Formatting Formatly handles all the complexities of Chicago footnote formatting, including proper first and subsequent citation formats, page number placement, and punctuation rules. Our engine ensures your notes follow Chicago convention perfectly.