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The Chicago Manual of Style Guide: Reference Works

This guide will help you format your paper according to the CMoS 17th (2017) edition.

Reference Works

Reference works are encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, or guide books. 

Well-known encyclopedias and dictionaries are usually cited only in notes, with the edition specified but not all the publication facts. It is not necessary to list them in bibliographies. Other subject-specific and lesser-known encyclopedias and dictionaries should include publication details in both notes and bibliographic entries (Sec. 14.232).

For certain reference works, especially those that have substantial, authored entries, cite the individual entries used by author, much like contributions to a multiauthor book. These citations may be included in a bibliography. 

Cite these items as you would any book, including "article," edition, and volume information.

The abbreviation "s.v." (sub verbo, Latin for "under the word") is used to identify the article's title that is not signed.

It may be appropriate to include the author of an entry if the entry is signed.

If you cite an online encyclopedia or dictionary that does not include a posted publication or revision date for the entry, include an access date. Also provide either the recommended form for the URL (preferred) or the short form of the URL.

If the article you are citing was found in a database, provide the database name (e.g., Gale Virtual Reference Library) and any identification number in parentheses after the publication details. 

Encyclopedias

 

Signed
 
(Rollins 1967)
 
 
Reference List
 
Rollins, C. D. 1967. "Certainty." In The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Paul Edwards , 67-71.

New York, N.Y.: Macmillan, Inc.

 
Unsigned (No author listed)
 
The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, s.v. "Mugwumps."
 
Reference List
 
Optional. Can be cited directly in text.
 
√ Please refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for further information on citing encyclpedias and other reference books
Note
 
6. Rollins, C. D. "Certainty," in The Encyclopedia of Philosophy,ed. Paul Edwards , 67-71. (New York, N.Y.: Macmillan, Inc., 1967).
 
Bibliography
 
Rollins, C. D. "Certainty." In The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Paul Edwards , 67-71. New York,

N.Y.: Macmillan, Inc., 1967.

 
Unsigned (No author listed)
 
Note
 
17. The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia, s.v. "Mugwumps."
 
Bibliography
 
Optional.