How do I cite an online encyclopedia article in Chicago?
Answer
Chicago Style* recommends citing articles from well-known encyclopedias only in the footnotes as follows:
Title of Encyclopedia, s.v. “title of article,” access date, DOI, Permalink or URL.
Example:
Britannica Academic, s.v. “Adam Smith,” Accessed January 1, 2021, https://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/Adam-Smith/109541.
If the encyclopedia article has a named author and comes from a specialized or lesser known source it can be cited like a chapter in a book.
Author last name, Author first name. “Title of article.” In Encyclopedia Title, edited by, page #. Place of publication: Publishers name, date published. DOI, Permalink, or if unable to find the others a URL.
Example:
Montes, Leonidas. "Newtonianism in Adam Smith's Social Science." In Encyclopedia of Philosophy & the Social Sciences, edited by Byron Kaldis, Sage Publications, 1st edition, 2013. https://marist.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/sagephlosss/newtonianism_in_adam_smith_s_social_science/0?institutionId=7655.
Notes:
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If you choose to settle for a URL it may be prudent to make sure it works before using it for your paper.
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Many times finding an encyclopedia’s author can be difficult so feel free to contact a librarian if you have any trouble with it.
If you need further help, contact a librarian