Mistakes Checklist

Common Chicago Article Citation Mistakes

Published studies report citation/reference error rates between 25-54%. Use this page to catch the most frequent formatting failures before submission.

Top mistakes to avoid

  • Using only the year for dated publications
  • Forgetting to italicize publication name
  • Omitting URLs for online articles
  • Not using quotation marks for article titles

Fix checklist

  • Use full publication dates for magazines/newspapers
  • Italicize publication names
  • Include URL for online articles
  • Put article titles in quotation marks

Frequently asked questions

How do I cite a newspaper article in Chicago?

Include the full date, section if applicable, and URL for online versions. Page numbers are optional for newspapers.

What's the difference between citing a magazine and journal article?

Magazines use full dates without volume/issue numbers. Journals use volume, issue, and page numbers.

Build the corrected citation now

Use the template and guide, then generate the final citation from verified academic sources.