A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is a style guide for writing and formatting research papers, theses, and dissertations and is published by the University of Chicago Press.
- AMA: The American Medical Association style guide is in its 10th edition as of 2019. It's published by Oxford Press. Except for a few special cases, this is the go-to manual for health, medicine, and biology subjects. NLM: The National Library of Medicine has an online-only style guide that's often used in some of the AMA disciplines. CSE: The Council of Science Editors Manual covers natural.
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| Editors | Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, William T. Fitzgerald, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff |
|---|---|
| Author | Kate L. Turabian |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Style guide |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press |
Publication date | April 2018 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 464 |
| ISBN | 978-0226430577 |
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is a style guide for writing and formatting research papers, theses, and dissertations and is published by the University of Chicago Press.
The work is often referred to as 'Turabian' (after the work's original author, Kate L. Turabian) or by the shortened title, A Manual for Writers.[1] The style and formatting of academic works, described within the manual, is commonly referred to as 'Turabian style' or 'Chicago style' (being based on that of The Chicago Manual of Style).
The ninth edition of the manual, published in 2018, corresponds with the seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style.
- 1Structure and content of the manual
Structure and content of the manual[edit]
Except for a few minor differences, the style and formatting described in the ninth edition of the manual is the same as the seventeenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. While The Chicago Manual of Style focuses on providing guidelines for publishing, Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is intended for the creation and submission of academic works; where the two works differ 'in small ways,' Turabian's manual is designed to 'better suit the requirements of academic papers as opposed to published works.'[2] As such, the manual describes itself as the 'authoritative student resource on 'Chicago style'.'[3]
Part 1: Research and Writing[edit]
Part 1 of the manual approaches the process of research and writing. This includes providing 'practical advice' to formulate 'the right questions, read critically, and build arguments' as well as helping authors draft and revise a paper.[3] Initially added with the seventh edition of the manual, this part is adapted from The Craft of Research.[4][5]
Part 2: Source Citation[edit]
A Manual For Writers 7th Edition Pdf
Part 2 of the manual explores the two methods of citing/documenting sources used in authoring a work: (1) the notes-bibliography style; and (2) the author-date style.[3]
The notes-bibliography style (also known as the 'notes and bibliography style' or 'notes style') is 'popular in the humanities—including literature, history, and the arts.' This style has sources cited in 'numbered footnotes or endnotes' with 'each note correspond[ing] to a raised (superscript) number in the text.' This style also uses a separate bibliography at the end of the document, listing each of the sources.[6]
The more-concise author-date style (sometimes referred to as the 'reference list style') is more common in the physical, natural, and social sciences. This style involves sources being 'briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and year of publication' with the parenthetical citations corresponding to 'an entry in a reference list, where full bibliographic information is provided.'[6]
The manual provides extensive examples of how to cite different types of works (e.g. books, journal articles, websites, etc.) using both citation styles.
Part 3: Style[edit]
Part 3 of the manual 'addresses matters of spelling, punctuation, abbreviation, and treatment of numbers, names, special terms, and titles of works.' This part also provides guidance on including quotations from different sources as well as the formatting of tables and figures.[7]
Appendix: Paper Format and Submission[edit]
The appendix provides specific requirements on the formatting of research papers as well as theses and dissertations. General formatting requirements include recommendations on paper and margin sizes, options as to the choice of typeface, the spacing and indentation of text, pagination, and the use of titles. Formatting requirements for specific elements include the ordering and formatting of content in the front matter, main matter (text), and back matter of a work. The appendix also includes a description on preparing and submitting files, both electronically and as hard copies.
On the formatting and style, however, the manual notes that it 'may be supplemented—or even overruled—by the conventions of specific disciplines or the preferences of particular institutions, departments or instructors.' More so, the manual consistently reminds students to 'review the requirements of their university, department, or instructor, which take precedence over the guidelines presented [in the manual].'[2]
Editions[edit]
| Edition | Year | Editor(s) | Corresponding CMOS Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Manual for Writers of Dissertations | |||
| First | 1937 (unpublished) | Tenth[8] | |
| 1949 (reprint) | Eleventh | ||
| A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations | |||
| Second | 1955 | Eleventh | |
| Third | 1967 | Eleventh | |
| Fourth | 1973 | Twelfth | |
| Fifth | 1987 | Bonnie Birtwistle Honigsblum | Thirteenth |
| Sixth | 1996 | John Grossman and Alice Bennett | Fourteenth |
| A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers | |||
| Seventh | 2007 | Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff | Fifteenth |
| Eighth | 2013 | Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff | Sixteenth |
| Ninth | 2018 | Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, William T. FitzGerald, and the University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff | Seventeenth |
Notes[edit]
- ^'Turabian Home Page', The Chicago Manual of Style Online, retrieved 11 August 2018
- ^ abTurabian 2018, p. xiv.
- ^ abcTurabian 2018, p. xi.
- ^Booth et al. 2016.
- ^Turabian 2018, p. xiii.
- ^ ab'Turabian Citation Quick Guide Page', The Chicago Manual of Style Online, retrieved 11 August 2018
- ^Turabian 2018, p. xi, xiv.
- ^Turabian 2007, p. xiii.
References[edit]
- Booth, Wayne C.; Colomb, Gregory G.; Williams, Joseph M.; Bizup, Joseph; Fitzgerald, William T. (2016), The Craft of Research (4th ed.), Chicago: University of Chicago Press, ISBN978-0226239736.
- Turabian, Kate L. (2007), Booth, Wayne C.; Colomb, Gregory G.; Williams, Joseph M.; University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff (eds.), A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (7th ed.), Chicago: University of Chicago Press, ISBN978-0-226-82337-9.
- Turabian, Kate L. (2013), Booth, Wayne C.; Colomb, Gregory G.; Williams, Joseph M.; University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff (eds.), A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed.), Chicago: University of Chicago Press, ISBN978-0226816388.
- Turabian, Kate L. (2018), Booth, Wayne C.; Colomb, Gregory G.; Williams, Joseph M.; Bizup, Joseph; FitzGerald, William T.; University of Chicago Press Editorial Staff (eds.), A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th ed.), Chicago: University of Chicago Press, ISBN978-0226430577.
External links[edit]
AP, APA, MLA, or CMS?
Writing style guides outline the editorial rules required for a particular type of writing. They might be about simple things like grammar and punctuation, or they might be more substantive questions about citation, layout, or format. Some guides also speak to voice.
It's generally advisable to check with a publication or publisher to determine which guide they follow.
Associated Press (AP Style)
Associated Press is the go-to guide for journalists and news writing. It has special sections dedicated to areas of interest such as fashion, food, and sports. AP Style sometimes covers magazine content as well.
It was originally written with the news wire in mind, so symbols and extras like italics and underlining are kept to a minimum. Latin names are printed without their accents in straight AP Style, although many publications correct this in their house styles.
AP Style is updated every spring, so keeping up with its current rules can admittedly be a challenge, but you can usually find updates online
A Manual For Writers Of Term Papers
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)
CMS is the standard for book publishing, both fiction and non-fiction. It's not generally used for scholarly publishing such as journals and research, but it might be used for history.
CMS issued its 17th edition in 2017. Be warned—it's extremely comprehensive, a big, multi-paged guide.
Modern Language Association (MLA)
The Modern Language Association style is almost exclusively used in the academic world. It applies mostly to literature and humanities.
This is likely the style first introduced to most writing students and undergrads. It does carry some similarities to CMS teachings, although it's more focused on citation and documentation.
American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA carries its own standard for the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, education, and politics. APA style is sometimes used for engineering and business work as well.
Turabian
Turabian style is named after the book’s author, Kate Turabian. It focuses on research work and is used for the academic arm of many subjects. In fact, many grad and undergrad students are directed to use Turabian despite the availability of another system in their discipline.
The CMS actually refers students to Turabian, and many will find it much easier to navigate.
Alternative Style Guides
- AMA: The American Medical Association style guide is in its 10th edition as of 2019. It's published by Oxford Press. Except for a few special cases, this is the go-to manual for health, medicine, and biology subjects.
- NLM: The National Library of Medicine has an online-only style guide that's often used in some of the AMA disciplines.
- CSE: The Council of Science Editors Manual covers natural sciences and biology.
- ACS: The American Chemical Society got in on the act with a style guide specifically for chemists. Chances are that you already know about this guide if you write about chemistry, but an ACS-style crib sheet is available if you ever need it.
- ASA: The American Sociological Association has a guide similar to that of APA, although the APA still seems to be more popular, even with more sociological-oriented disciplines.
- Bluebook: Bluebook citation is used in the legal profession.
- Harvard Style: Also called the Author-Date style of citation, this isn't actually a fully published guide, but it can be useful with regard to referencing.
Chances are you'll find any guidance you need as a freelance writer in one or more of these guides.