How to Cite a Letter in Chicago Style
Writing a letter is an essential skill, and properly citing it in academic or professional contexts is equally important. Chicago style, a widely used citation format, provides specific guidelines on how to reference letters in your work. In this article, we will discuss the various ways to cite a letter in Chicago style, including both primary and secondary sources.
Primary Source Citation
When citing a letter as a primary source, it is crucial to include the author’s name, the letter’s title (if available), the date of the letter, and the location of the letter. Here’s an example of how to format a primary source citation in Chicago style:
John Doe. “Letter to Jane Smith,” 15 March 2020, Doe Residence, Chicago, IL.
In a note or parenthetical citation, you can simply mention the author’s last name and the date:
(Doe 2020)
If the letter is part of a larger collection or published in a book, include the editor’s name and the book title in the citation:
John Doe. “Letter to Jane Smith,” in Letters from John Doe, ed. Jane Smith (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2020), 23-25.
Secondary Source Citation
When citing a letter that has been published or analyzed in a secondary source, you must include the author of the letter, the title of the letter, the name of the editor or compiler (if applicable), the title of the secondary source, the publisher, and the publication date. Here’s an example:
John Doe. “Letter to Jane Smith,” in Letters from John Doe, ed. Jane Smith (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2020), 23-25.
In a note or parenthetical citation, you can simply mention the author of the letter and the secondary source:
(Doe in Smith, 23-25)
If the letter is part of a larger collection, include the editor’s name in the citation:
(Doe in Smith, ed., 23-25)
Letter as a Source in a Book
If you are citing a letter within a book that has been published in a different format or location, follow the format for citing a letter as a primary source, and include the page numbers where the letter is found:
John Doe. “Letter to Jane Smith,” 15 March 2020, Doe Residence, Chicago, IL. In John Doe’s Collected Letters, ed. Jane Smith (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2020), 45-50.
In a note or parenthetical citation, mention the author of the letter and the book title:
(Doe, “Letter to Jane Smith,” 45-50)
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you properly cite a letter in Chicago style, maintaining the integrity of your work and providing readers with the necessary information to locate the source.
