chicago style research paper outline

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Proper Chicago Outline Format for an Essay

One of the first steps to writing a college or high school essay or research paper in Chicago 17 style is creating an outline. An essay outline not only helps you organize your thoughts and sources, but it actually helps with writing the paper itself. But first, you must familiarize yourself with how to format an outline properly.

Chicago Style Outline Format

An essay outline in Chicago style format follows a hierarchical structure. The highest level sections are in Roman numerals, followed by subsections in capital letters, and then subsections beneath that in regular numerals.

Roman Numeral

Capital Letter

I. Introduction

II. First idea

A. Explanation

1. Methodology 2. Literature Review

III. Second idea

A. Overview of Research

III. Conclusion

Why Create an Essay Outline

Starting a research project is overwhelming at first. You have all these steps to follow and sources to pull together. By creating an outline, you stay organized throughout the process.

Organizing your paper before you start writing helps clarify your thoughts. This way, you can develop a strong thesis statement.

Formatting Your Outline

Each citation style has a different paper format to follow; however, the basic format is:

• Introduction

The Chicago/Turabian author-date style for writing papers follows a similar format. When you are creating your outline, use either a plain outline with no formatting or follow a formal structure.

Types of Outlines

There are two main types of outlines:

• Topic – This type of outline is brief. You simply include a few words to guide your thoughts through the process of writing your paper.
• Sentence – The sentence type of outline is more thorough. This type is useful for in-depth research papers. You can write out full sentences to guide you through the research and writing process.

If your teacher allows it, you may create a rough outline format, eliminating the numbering system. If you’re writing a short essay, that may be all you need. However, it’s best to create a numbered outline. This makes it easy for you to see where you are in your research writing process.

Make It Easy for Yourself

Developing outlines, preliminary bibliographies and rough drafts may seem like extra steps that create more work. However, as you write more essays and research papers, you will realize this extra work pays off in a big way. Writing your final paper flows easier, your paper reads better, and your grades improve too. It is well worth the effort to learn the preliminary work, especially as you start college level writing.

Chicago/Turabian Author-Date Citation Elements

Creating a Chicago/Turabian Style Reference List

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How to Make and Use 3-em Dash in Chicago Style

Citing visual and performing arts in chicago author-date style, how to write a history school paper in chicago style, chicago/turabian citation styles explained.

Chicago Research Paper Formatting

Chicago manual of style (cmos - 17th edition).

• Finding Sources for Your Paper
• Additional Resources
• Sample Papers

You are going to love this! Save this template somewhere safe or e-mail it to yourself. Then resave it immediately with the name of your new document. This will keep your template safe and ready to reuse again for future assignments.

The templates provided will be sufficient for most student Chicago Style papers. For more information on formatting, please check out The Chicago Manual of Style Online Resources for Students page at  https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/help-tools/Resources-for-Students.html . 

• Purdue Owl Author Date Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Purdue Owl Notes Bibliography Sample Paper Sample paper is downloadable.
• Turabian: Student Paper-Writing Tip Sheets Official Chicago style, in easy-to-use, printable PDF paper-writing tip sheets for students, teachers, and librarians. Guidelines are per Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th ed.) and are fully compatible with The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.).
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Chicago Style (17th ed.): Citation Guide

• Getting Started with Chicago

Formatting a Paper in Chicago Style

Chicago paper visual guide.

• Citing Sources in Chicago Style
• Chicago Style Citation Examples
• Additional Chicago Style Resources
• Citation Guides Homepage

Sample Student Paper

• Sample Chicago Paper

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• Paper Formatting
• Bibliography

Chicago Basic Formatting Rules

The following guidelines are the basic formatting rules outlined in the  Chicago Manual of Style  17th edition. If your instructor sets different requirements, always use your instructor's guidelines first.

• readable serif font, regular-sized
• example: 12pt Times New Roman
• double space the body of the paper
• 1-inch margins on all sides
• indent the first line of each paragraph by 1/2-inch (tab)
• left-justified for the body of the paper

Page Numbers:

• count the title page as page one, but don't include a page number
• include the page number in the top right corner of all pages except the title page

Formatting Notes:

• Format note numbers as superscripts in the text of your paper
• single space each note (footnote or endnote) but double space between notes

Chicago Title Page

The following guidelines are the basic formatting rules outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style  17th edition. If your instructor sets different requirements, always use your instructor's guidelines first.

Page Number:

• do not include the page number on the title page (but it counts as page 1)

Title Page Heading:

• Paper Title
• Date (Month Day, Year)

Bibliography Formatting

The following guidelines are the basic formatting rules outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition. If your instructor sets different requirements, always use your instructor's guidelines first.

• needs to start on a new page following the end of your paper
• include the title Bibliography  centered on the first line of the page
• everything after the title is left-justified
• listed in alphabetical order by the first part of the citation (usually the author)
• each entry is single spaced with a double space between each entry
• Each entry should have a hanging indent- or it should start at the left margin and then have all lines after it indented by 1/2-inch

Click on the information circles for tips on how to use Microsoft Word to format your paper in Chicago Style.

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How to Write a Chicago-Style Paper?

Table of contents

• 1 What Is an Assignment in Chicago Style?
• 2 General Formatting Guidelines
• 3 Chicago Style Other Section Rules
• 4 Title Page
• 5 Main Body Structure for Chicago Manual
• 6 Citations and Referencing
• 7 Using Block Quotes
• 8 Tables and Figures
• 9 Appendices and Supplementary Material
• 10 Proofreading and Finalizing Your Paper
• 11 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid
• 12 Useful Additional Resources for the Chicago Manual of Style

What Is an Assignment in Chicago Style?

When you are asked to compose a paper in Chicago style, the talk is about a set of academic writing rules. This special documentation style helps you compose and format research papers, publications, dissertations, and school compositions. When citing sources or writing a journal article for a research community, meeting Chicago or CMOS style is quite common. Since most assignments will not represent a five-page paper, always check your total page count with all the chapter headings and when you cite multiple sources in the same format.

General Formatting Guidelines

The main rule is that you should remember that the Chicago style format contains two different formats.

• One of them is Notes-Bibliography and uses a bibliography and/or footnotes or endnotes. It is also known as the use of footnote and endnote numbers. When studying humanities, history, literature, and arts, this format is chosen for the word notes.
• The second one is the Author-Date system. It uses a bibliography with parenthetical citations within your written text. If you are working in the science and social sciences, it is the right style guidelines format.

Chicago Style Other Section Rules

The title of your Chicago-style paper must be centered in the middle of the page, about halfway down (two or more lines). Your name must be centered directly under the title. Then, a teacher’s name, course title, and department must follow. A date is written in three lines on a title page and centered at the page’s bottom. The recommended title page fonts include Times or Times New Roman, point 12, unless specified otherwise. A double space is used on the first page.

Main Body Structure for Chicago Manual

As you compose the body part of your Chicago paper, no specific rules must be followed that would not apply to the rest of your document. It is also true for font sizes or choices as long as it is readable. The margins must be at least 1 inch on all page sides. Your main written content, including the first page, must be double-spaced, with each new paragraph starting with a 1/2 inch indent. Most papers in Chicago style are aligned to the left (no justifying for the Chicago Manual of Style).

The page count numbers for the cover page and the rest are placed either in the top right corner or at the bottom center of the page.

Citations and Referencing

An author-date style in Chicago will look this way:

Anderson (2023) believes that every child is born without natural aggression. Other researchers claim that aggression is a natural point (Gregs et al. 2022; Lake 2018).

When using the Note and Bibliography styles, a note number will look this way at the bottom of the page:

¹ Anderson, “Child Psychology,”, 12/

² Gregs et al., “A Model of Human Aggression”; Lake, “Reflections on Child Psychology,” 24-25.

Notice the use of a note number and the presence of more than one line on each page.

Using Block Quotes

When you quote a prose of five lines or more than 100 words (also true for poetry!), these must be presented as block quotes. You do not have to use quotation marks. A blank line separates it from the other text on both sides with an additional 1/2 inch indent. Single spacing must be used, and the page count must not be on a separate page.

Don’t just follow trends, write about them! Begin your fashion research paper with our expert guides and tips.

Tables and Figures

Tables and figures in Chicago style must be simplified as much as possible. Readability is the key for everything, including your cover page and the final bibliography page! Tables should make sense and provide only accompanying text to explain things. Remember that a table supplements the text, not a total replacement.

Figures in Chicago style may include charts, graphs, photographs, line art, and AI-generated images that may start from a separate page. They should be only used if you plan to add substantive data. If a figure does not help your paper much, it must be avoided in a Chicago-style paper. A table may be a better choice in most cases with Times New Roman 12 pt font!

Appendices and Supplementary Material

Appendices are usually used when you have to include supplementary materials beyond the cover page. These may include raw statistical data or lengthy tables beyond your bibliography page. The data collection samples may also be related to additional materials. The paper appendix style format in Chicago style papers goes this way for a single note:

Appendix Title: Each appendix element you add must have a short descriptive title at the top of the page.

Page Numbering: you can number your additions continuously with the main text or start a new page numbering (not endnotes).

Table of Contents: if you have several elements or your reference occurs twice, adding a table of contents is recommended for readability. For example, if you write about a federal emergency relief administration, you may add statistical data. It uses the same formatting guidelines and the same font size. The Times New Roman 12-point font must also be used without a first-line indent.

Proofreading and Finalizing Your Paper

Proofreading is one of those aspects that should not be ignored when dealing with a Chicago-style format. First, start with the editing, where you correct repetitions, remove all the weak parts, and add more depth. It is where you bring your writing to perfection from the first line of your research paper.

Once done, continue with the basic proofreading, where you focus on grammar, style, readability, punctuation, and formatting. It is recommended to double-check your in-text citations and make sure that they correspond with your Chicago-style page bibliography. Only the papers that have been fully proofread get the highest grades and recognition. Check your page number straight and see the indent for all the subsequent lines of your research paper.

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the frequent pitfalls among researchers is the use of poor structure, odd fonts, and incomplete citations. These are the most common occurrences that must be avoided from the first line. Let’s sum them up below:

• The use of a wrong citation style per discipline. Depending on your academic department, one of two citation solutions is used in Chicago. Always check with your academic advisor to ensure your citation begins correctly.
• The use of page numbers on top and below. Only one style is recommended.
• Using odd and colorful fonts is not recommended for five or more lines. Use Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt font.
• The use of incomplete sources must be avoided. If the source is not that good, simply omit it. Using multiple sources is also good and bad because when your cited material repeats the same thing, it is better to avoid it and choose only one for your bibliography style.

The rest of the mistakes are related to the lack of editing and proofreading. Proofreading is essential, especially when your paper involves quantitative research topics for medical students . The same is true for using automatically generated citation sources in different formatting without a hanging indent and mistakes in overall page layout. While it’s a golden rule, some students still add sources to the bibliography in different formats for primary and secondary sources.

Useful Additional Resources for the Chicago Manual of Style

Since you are already here, looking for some help and guidance with your Chicago-style assignment, you should look into the following resources:

• Chicago-Style Citation Quick Guide. This is where you may read the basics and see several examples from the people behind this writing style. It tells about how to make a Word bibliography-centered template or what shortened form examples are.
• The University of Central Oklahoma . This website provides various helpful resources for the CMOS style and the proper formatting of the Turabian style. It is a simplified version of Chicago that you may have had to reference previously.
• Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) . It is the website of the famous Purdue OWL database. It contains all the templates and examples that you may find helpful. It also tells how to set the correct settings in MS Word for Chicago, MLA, APA, or other citation styles.
• How to Cite Your Sources in Chicago Style . Another good guide from Hillsborough Community College provides the basics for writing and formatting. It is simpler and more accessible than the other three bibliography-style sources.

If you still have Chicago format questions that have not been answered by our guide or need ideas on topics for research in education , you can always get in touch with our specialists. Our research paper service shall be happy to provide you with the answers and solve all of your writing and formatting challenges 24/7! We know it all about formatting and the rules of following guidelines!

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How to Format Your Research Paper

• APA 7 Paper Format
• MLA Paper Format

Writing Your Paper: Chicago

Chicago style papers.

• Hanging Indents
• Ask a Librarian

Chicago Style Resources

• How Do I Format My Class Paper in Chicago Style? If your instructor has specific requirements for the format of your research paper, check with them before preparing your final draft. The most common formatting is presented here.

Things to know before you begin:

• Font:  Times New Roman  
• Font Size:  12 point
• Margins:  1 inch
• Paragraphs: All paragraphs should be indented.
• Spacing: All of the text in the body of your paper should be double-spaced.

Typical Chicago style papers have three sections:

• Bibliography

See the tabs below for a breakdown of how each portion should be formatted.

• Sample Papers

Below you will find an example of an accurately formatted CMOS paper. 

• Sample Paper Chicago Style - PDF Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.
• Sample Paper Chicago Style - Word Click here to see a sample of an accurately formatted CMOS paper.

• Your title should be centered and place a third of the way down the page. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
• Capitalize all the words in your title. If there is a subtitle, place it on the second line.
• Place your course name first, then your name, then the due date of the paper. This should be double-spaced and placed in the bottom third of your paper. 

• Start the body of your paper on the first line of a new page.
• Insert the page number in the top right corner of the page using the header function.
• CMS uses footnotes. Place the footnote after any punctuation. Each number must have an entry at the bottom of the page.

• Center the word "Bibliography" on the first line of a new page.
• Your citations should be alphabetical.
• Each entry is single-spaced with one blank line separating entries.
• Be sure to use a hanging indent for any citations that require more than one line.

Need help formatting your Chicago/Turabian style citations using the 17th edition of the  Chicago Manual of Style ? Click the image or link below to go to the citation guide.

• Chicago Style Citations

Need help learning what hanging indents are and how to create them using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Hanging Indents This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.

Need help learning what footnotes are and  how to create them  using Google Docs or Microsoft Word? 

• Footnotes This page gives a brief description of what they are, where to find information on when and how to properly use them, and also video tutorials on how to create them.
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To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:

APA : Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page . Title of LibGuide. URL

MLA : Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.

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• A Research Guide
• Research Paper Guide

How to Write a Chicago Style Research Paper

• Chicago Manual of Style edition

General formatting rules

• Title page and page layout
• Structuring the main body
• Headings and subheadings
• Tables, figures, and appendices
• in-text citations and bibliography

Let’s break down the rules of the Chicago format to guide your success among your peers!

Understanding the basics of Chicago style

Unlike the other styles ( MLA , APA , etc.), Chicago style papers have specific requirements for formatting and citing sources in specific fields.

You need to choose the Chicago style for writing papers when using abundant footnotes or endnotes. This style is useful for college writers who cite multiple sources in the same line or sentence.

Choosing the appropriate Chicago Manual of Style edition

Chicago style paper template comes in two formats:

• The Notes and Bibliography style is preferred by associates in humanitarian subjects, including history, literature, and the arts.
• The Author-Date style (the “Reference List” style) is recommended for the physical, natural, and social sciences.

Based on the Chicago Manual of Style, or CMOS, Chicago style is the preferred format for citing sources related to history and historical topics. It is known for its comprehensive system of footnotes and endnotes.

Chicago research paper format , also known as the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), is a widely used citation and formatting style in academic writing.

Here are the basics of Chicago style:

• Citations: Chicago style uses two citation systems: the author-date system and the notes and bibliography system. The author-date system uses in-text citations with parentheses, including the author’s last name, publication year, and page number.
• Formatting: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) and double-spacing throughout the paper. Include one-inch margins on all sides. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.
• Quotations: For shorter quotes, enclose the text within double quotation marks within the main text. For longer quotes (block quotes), indent the entire quote as a separate paragraph and do not use quotation marks. In either case, provide the necessary citation information within or after the quote.
• Page Numbers: Number all pages of your paper, including the title page, but exclude the page number on the title page itself. Place the page number on the top right corner of each page.

For more information and specified instructions, refer to the Chicago Manual of style guidelines (CMOS).

Formatting the title page and page layout

Although CMOS doesn’t specify a required font or font size, it does advise adopting a readable and straightforward font, such as Times New Roman 12 point. Use page margins that are at least 1 inch wide on all sides.

To write a paper in Chicago style, you need to start with an appropriate title . Here’s the list of key requirements:

• The title and subtitle appear ⅓ of the way down the page.
• Other information (e.g., your name, the date, class information) appears ⅔ down the page.
• All text is center-aligned and double-spaced.
• No page number is included on the title page.

Each new paragraph should begin with a 12-inch indent, and the main content should be double-spaced. Text in Chicago style should be left-aligned rather than “justified,” which causes the right margin to appear uneven.

Structuring the main body of the research paper

Structuring the main body of a Chicago style research paper involves organizing your content into logical sections and effectively presenting your arguments, analysis, and evidence. Here’s a guide on how to structure the main body of a research paper in Chicago style:

• Introduction : Begin with an introductory paragraph that provides background information on your research topic and its significance. Clearly state your research question or thesis statement to guide the reader.
• Literature Review : In this section of a Chicago style research paper, review relevant literature and sources related to your research topic. Summarize and critically analyze the existing knowledge, identifying gaps or controversies in the field.
• Methodology : Describe your research methods and techniques to gather data or conduct your study. Explain the rationale behind your chosen methods and discuss any limitations or ethical considerations.

Remember to cite your sources accurately using the Chicago style paper template throughout the main body of your research paper. Use either footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations, and provide a corresponding bibliography at the end of your paper listing all the sources you cited.

Writing and formatting headings and subheadings

In Chicago style, formatting headings and subheadings is important for organizing and structuring your research paper. The following guidelines outline how to format headings and subheadings in Chicago style research paper example:

• Main headings are used to divide major sections of your paper.
• They should be centered and in headline-style capitalization.
• Start each main heading on a new line, and consider using a larger font size or bold formatting to distinguish them from the rest of the text.

MAIN HEADING

• Writers use subheadings in Chicago style to divide sections within the main headings further.
• They provide additional structure and hierarchy to your paper.
• Subheadings should be left-aligned and in sentence-style capitalization, where only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.

Including tables, figures, and appendices

To write a Chicago style paper, you may use tables, figures, and appendices to provide additional information. Here’s a brief overview of how to include tables, figures, and appendices in Chicago style:

Tables present organized data in a structured format. When including a table, assign a number (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) and provide a concise and descriptive title. Place the table as close as possible to its first mention in the text.

Table 1: Summary of Data

Figures refer to visual representations such as graphs, charts, diagrams, or images. Assign a number (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2) and provide a descriptive caption that explains the content of the figure. Place the figure as close as possible to its first mention in the text.

Figure 1: Pie Chart of Survey Responses

According to CMOS, the appendices in Chicago style contain supplementary information that is not essential to the main body of your research paper but provides additional details or supporting material.

Each appendix should have a clear title (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) that reflects its content.

Appendix A: Survey Questions

It’s important to consult the official CMOS or a reliable style guide for comprehensive instructions and specific formatting requirements for tables, figures, and appendices.

Formatting in-text citations and bibliography

Formatting in-text citations and the bibliography in Chicago style writing format is crucial for acknowledging and documenting the sources you have used in your research paper. Here’s a brief overview of how to format in-text citations and the bibliography in Chicago style:

In-Text Citations

Author-Date System: In the author-date system, in-text citations include the author’s last name, publication year, and page number (if applicable), enclosed in parentheses and placed within the text.

(Smith 2019, 45)

Notes and Bibliography System: In the notes and bibliography system, in-text citations are indicated using superscript numbers corresponding to footnotes or endnotes. The first citation should include the full reference.

According to Smith, the data supports this claim.^1

Bibliography

The bibliography is a separate page(s) that lists all the sources you have cited or consulted in your paper. The entries are arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name or the title (if no author is provided).

• The bibliographic entry for a book typically includes the author’s name, the book’s title (in italics or underlined), the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication.
• The bibliographic entry for a journal article generally includes the author’s name, the title of the article (in quotation marks), the title of the journal (in italics or underlined), volume number, issue number (if applicable), publication year, and page range.
• The bibliographic entry for a website usually includes the author’s name (if available), the title of the web page or article (in quotation marks), the title of the website (in italics or underlined), the date of publication or update (if available), URL, and access date.

It’s essential to consult the official CMOS or a reliable style guide for comprehensive instructions and specific variations that may apply to your particular discipline or publication.

• Writing a Research Paper
• Research Paper Title
• Research Paper Sources
• Research Paper Problem Statement
• Research Paper Thesis Statement
• Hypothesis for a Research Paper
• Research Question
• Research Paper Outline
• Research Paper Summary
• Research Paper Prospectus
• Research Paper Proposal
• Research Paper Format
• Research Paper Styles
• AMA Style Research Paper
• MLA Style Research Paper
• Chicago Style Research Paper
• APA Style Research Paper
• Research Paper Structure
• Research Paper Cover Page
• Research Paper Abstract
• Research Paper Introduction
• Research Paper Body Paragraph
• Research Paper Literature Review
• Research Paper Background
• Research Paper Methods Section
• Research Paper Results Section
• Research Paper Discussion Section
• Research Paper Conclusion
• Research Paper Appendix
• Research Paper Bibliography
• APA Reference Page
• Annotated Bibliography
• Bibliography vs Works Cited vs References Page
• Research Paper Types
• What is Qualitative Research

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