How to Write a Chicago Style Essay
Use the Oxford or serial comma., Consider your use of the ‘em dash’., Remember to spell out state and country names., Spell out numbers that are less than 100.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Use the Oxford or serial comma.
That is, when writing a list of items, include a comma before the “and,”like in this sentence: “I like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.” -
Step 2: Consider your use of the ‘em dash’.
An em dash symbolizes a change of thought in a sentence or adds extra information to the sentence.
When writing a Chicago style paper, do not use a space before or after you use an em dash.For example: “We enjoyed the Fourth of July celebration—all the fireworks were splendid.” The em dash is that long dash in the middle.
Microsoft Word generally corrects a double hyphen (--) to an em dash. , Spell out ‘United States’ unless you are using it as an adjective (for example, U.S. politics).
Spell out state names when they follow a city: “We went to Okemah, Oklahoma.” If you do use an abbreviation for the state, use the standard two-letter postal code. , While Chicago style is generally not a stickler on this rule, you should try to remember to do this.
At the very least, spell out numbers less than
10.
You should also spell out fractions, measurements, and ages. -
Step 3: Remember to spell out state and country names.
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Step 4: Spell out numbers that are less than 100.
Detailed Guide
That is, when writing a list of items, include a comma before the “and,”like in this sentence: “I like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.”
An em dash symbolizes a change of thought in a sentence or adds extra information to the sentence.
When writing a Chicago style paper, do not use a space before or after you use an em dash.For example: “We enjoyed the Fourth of July celebration—all the fireworks were splendid.” The em dash is that long dash in the middle.
Microsoft Word generally corrects a double hyphen (--) to an em dash. , Spell out ‘United States’ unless you are using it as an adjective (for example, U.S. politics).
Spell out state names when they follow a city: “We went to Okemah, Oklahoma.” If you do use an abbreviation for the state, use the standard two-letter postal code. , While Chicago style is generally not a stickler on this rule, you should try to remember to do this.
At the very least, spell out numbers less than
10.
You should also spell out fractions, measurements, and ages.
About the Author
Dennis Martinez
Experienced content creator specializing in crafts guides and tutorials.
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