If you’re wondering how to write a paper using Chicago style, you’re not alone. Many students overlook critical formatting details that can affect their final grade. This guide walks you through a sample layout and structure based on the Chicago Manual of Style, giving you everything you need to succeed.
TITLE OF THE PAPER
Student’s Name
Class Information
Date
Introduction: Start Strong Without a Heading
Learning how to write a paper using Chicago style starts with understanding what’s not needed. For instance, the introduction does not require a heading labeled “Introduction.” Instead, jump right into your topic and end this section with a strong, debatable thesis. The introduction should take about 10% of your total word count – not including the title page, headers, or references.
First Level Heading: Build Your Body Paragraphs
A key part of learning how to write a paper using Chicago style is proper paragraph construction. Only use headers in papers five pages or longer unless otherwise required. Begin each paragraph with a clear topic sentence, followed by supporting evidence from reliable, up-to-date sources.
Always cite properly with footnotes – your first citation should be a full note, while follow-ups can be shortened using the author’s last name and a short-form title. Don’t forget to include page numbers and use transition sentences to connect your ideas.
Second Level Heading: Add Structure to Your Points
Second-level headings help clarify the subtopics related to your main argument. Even when you’re confident in how to write a paper using Chicago style, many forget small yet crucial rules—like each paragraph having at least three sentences and staying under 200 words. Stay specific, avoid vague language, and always connect your points back to the thesis.
Conclusion: Wrap It Up Properly
Your conclusion should not start on a separate page. Instead, restate your thesis clearly, summarize your key ideas, and avoid introducing any new information. Like the introduction, this section should also make up about 10% of the word count.
Helpful Resource: Mastering Citations
Need more help figuring out how to write a paper using Chicago style citations? For multiple-author sources, reference formats, and deeper formatting questions, check out:
👉 Purdue OWL – Chicago Style Guide
Bibliography Example
Last Name, First Name. “Title of the article.” Name of the Journal 21, no. 1 (2018).
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