Writing@CSU

Writing Guides

CMS - Chicago Manual of Style (Author/Date System)

 

CMS Reference List Formatting Rules

CMS References List formatting rules call for the end documentation to begin on a new page at the end of your document and be numbered accordingly. If your document is 6½ pages long, the Notes page should begin on page 8.

Note: Unless informed otherwise, you can count on your instructor not counting the References List page in the total page count of an eight page assignment.

The page itself should be formatted in the following way:

  • The title-References List-should be centered one inch from the top of the page. This may also be called a Literature Cited or Works Cited page.
  • Double space between the title and first entry; all subsequent entries should be single spaced.
  • Arrange entries alphabetically, according to author, last names first.

Individual entries should be formatted in the following way:

  • The first line of each entry should be flush-left while any subsequent lines are indented five spaces.
  • The date of publication follows directly after the author's name. First names are often, though not always, abbreviated.
  • Use the "down" or "sentence style" for titles and subtitles, capitalizing only the first letter of the first word, as well as any proper nouns and adjectives that are included.

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