Turabian Referencing Guide (9th Edition): A Complete Citation Style Manual
The Turabian referencing style is a simplified version of the Chicago Manual of Style, specifically tailored for students and researchers. Created by Kate L. Turabian, this style is widely used in the humanities, social sciences, theology, and history. The Turabian style offers two documentation systems:
- Notes and Bibliography (N&B) – common in literature, history, and arts.
- Author–Date – used in the sciences and social sciences.
This Turabian referencing guide (9th Edition) walks you through both systems, with practical examples for books, articles, websites, and more.
🧾 Overview of Turabian Style
Turabian vs. Chicago:
The Turabian style follows the Chicago Manual of Style but adapts it for student papers. It retains Chicago’s core principles while simplifying some formatting rules.
Two Systems:
| System | Used For | Citation Format |
|---|---|---|
| Notes and Bibliography | Humanities, arts, theology | Footnotes + Bibliography |
| Author–Date | Sciences, social sciences | In-text (parentheses) + Reference List |
✍️ General Formatting Guidelines
- Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
- Line spacing: Double throughout
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Indentation: First line of paragraphs and footnotes indented 0.5 inch
- Page numbers: Top-right corner
- Title page: Optional (check with your instructor)
🧾 Notes and Bibliography System (Humanities Focus)
🔢 In-Text Citations (Footnotes)
Use superscript numbers in the text to indicate a footnote at the bottom of the page.
Example:
Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores revenge and madness.^1
Footnote (at the bottom):
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, ed. by Harold Jenkins (London: Methuen, 1982), 101.
📚 Citation Examples (Notes + Bibliography)
1. Book (One Author)
Footnote:
- Firstname Lastname, Title of Book (Place: Publisher, Year), page.
Bibliography:
Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. Place: Publisher, Year.
Example:
Footnote:
- Mary Beard, SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (London: Profile Books, 2015), 78.
Bibliography:
Beard, Mary. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. London: Profile Books, 2015.
2. Book Chapter in an Edited Collection
Footnote:
2. Author Name, “Chapter Title,” in Book Title, ed. Editor Name (Place: Publisher, Year), page.
Bibliography:
Author Lastname, Firstname. “Chapter Title.” In Book Title, edited by Editor Firstname Lastname, page range. Place: Publisher, Year.
Example:
Footnote:
2. Fred Botting, “Gothic Darkness,” in Gothic Histories, ed. Glennis Byron (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2010), 65.
Bibliography:
Botting, Fred. “Gothic Darkness.” In Gothic Histories, edited by Glennis Byron, 57–77. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2010.
3. Journal Article
Footnote:
3. Firstname Lastname, “Title of Article,” Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): page.
Bibliography:
Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Article.” Journal Name Volume, no. Issue (Year): page range.
Example:
Footnote:
3. Rachel Bowlby, “Melodramatic Impulse,” Screen 18, no. 1 (1977): 105.
Bibliography:
Bowlby, Rachel. “Melodramatic Impulse.” Screen 18, no. 1 (1977): 103–110.
4. Website
Footnote:
4. Author Name, “Title of Webpage,” Website Name, last modified/accessed Month Day, Year, URL.
Bibliography:
Author Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Webpage.” Website Name. Last modified/accessed Month Day, Year. URL.
Example:
Footnote:
4. British Museum, “Parthenon Sculptures,” British Museum, accessed May 13, 2025, https://www.britishmuseum.org.
Bibliography:
British Museum. “Parthenon Sculptures.” British Museum. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.britishmuseum.org.
5. Film
Footnote:
5. Title of Film, directed by Director’s Name (Place: Distributor, Year), format.
Bibliography:
Title of Film. Directed by Director’s Name. Place: Distributor, Year.
Example:
Footnote:
5. Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho (Los Angeles: Neon, 2019), film.
Bibliography:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho. Los Angeles: Neon, 2019.
📖 Author–Date System (Sciences & Social Sciences)
In this system, sources are cited in parentheses within the text, and a reference list appears at the end.
Example:
Roman expansion reshaped European history (Beard 2015, 78).
📚 Author–Date Citation Examples
1. Book
In-text: (Beard 2015, 78)
Reference list:
Beard, Mary. 2015. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. London: Profile Books.
2. Journal Article
In-text: (Bowlby 1977, 105)
Reference list:
Bowlby, Rachel. 1977. “Melodramatic Impulse.” Screen 18 (1): 103–110.
3. Website
In-text: (British Museum 2025)
Reference list:
British Museum. 2025. “Parthenon Sculptures.” British Museum. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://www.britishmuseum.org.
🔁 Shortened Notes
For repeated sources, you can use a shortened version:
Example:
- Beard, SPQR, 102.
❗Common Turabian Citation Mistakes
- Forgetting page numbers in footnotes
- Using the wrong system (check your field or instructor guidelines)
- Incorrect punctuation (e.g., missing commas or italics)
- Failing to cite images, figures, or non-textual media
📌 Turabian vs. Other Citation Styles
| Feature | Turabian | APA | MLA | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designed for Students | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (Chicago is professional) |
| In-text Citation | Footnotes / Author–Date | Author–Date | Author–Page | Footnotes / Author–Date |
| Disciplines | Humanities, Social Sciences | Sciences, Psychology | Literature, Arts | History, Humanities |
| Bibliography | Required | References | Works Cited | Required |
✅ Final Tips for Turabian Referencing
- Always confirm with your professor whether to use Notes & Bibliography or Author–Date
- Use citation tools like Zotero, BibGuru, or Citation Machine with Turabian formatting
- Refer to the official Turabian website or handbook for details
📝 Conclusion
The Turabian referencing style is an accessible and authoritative citation method for students in a range of disciplines. Whether you use the Notes–Bibliography or Author–Date system, mastering Turabian will improve the credibility, clarity, and professionalism of your academic writing.