Is Chicago style harder than MLA?

Chicago style is often considered more complex because it requires managing footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography, whereas MLA uses simpler parenthetical citations and a works cited page.

Can I use footnotes in MLA style?

MLA style primarily uses in-text citations. Footnotes are only used for evaluative or bibliographic notes that provide extra context, not for standard source citations.

Which style is better for history papers?

Chicago style is the standard for history papers because its footnote system allows for detailed source commentary without interrupting the narrative flow of the text.

MLA vs. Chicago Style: Key Differences and Examples

Explainer4 min·Updated May 2024

What is the difference between MLA and Chicago style?

The primary difference between MLA and Chicago style is the citation method. MLA uses author-page parenthetical in-text citations and is standard for humanities and literature. Chicago style uses footnotes or endnotes and is the preferred format for history and fine arts to allow for detailed source commentary without disrupting the text.

MLA vs. Chicago Style Comparison

Feature	MLA Style (9th Ed.)	Chicago Style (17th Ed.)
Primary Use	Humanities, Literature, Language	History, Arts, Business
In-Text Citation	Parenthetical (Author Page)	Superscript numbers (1)
Source Location	End of sentence in parentheses	Footnotes or Endnotes
Source List Title	Works Cited	Bibliography
Title Page	Usually not required	Required for most papers
Author Names	Full name (First Last)	Full name (First Last)
Date Placement	End of citation	End of citation (Notes-Bibliography)

What is MLA style?

MLA style is developed by the Modern Language Association. It is designed to be concise and is used almost exclusively in literature and liberal arts classrooms. The goal of MLA is to make it easy for readers to find the exact location of a quote or idea by checking the author's name and page number directly in the text. It emphasizes the authorship of the work and is generally easier to format for shorter undergraduate essays.

What is Chicago style?

Chicago style refers to The Chicago Manual of Style, often utilized in its Notes and Bibliography format. It is the gold standard for history and professional publishing. Because history papers often involve many primary sources and archival documents, Chicago style uses footnotes to keep the body of the paper clean. This allows writers to provide extensive background information about a source at the bottom of the page rather than cluttering the paragraph with long parenthetical citations.

Examples of MLA and Chicago Citations

Example

Below is a comparison of how the same source is cited in both styles.

**MLA Style (In-Text)**
According to the author, the industrial revolution changed social structures (Smith 142).

**Chicago Style (Footnote)**
According to the author, the industrial revolution changed social structures.¹

**Chicago Style (Footnote Content)**
1. John Smith, *The Industrial Age* (New York: Penguin, 2021), 142.

**MLA Works Cited Entry**
Smith, John. *The Industrial Age*. Penguin, 2021.

**Chicago Bibliography Entry**
Smith, John. *The Industrial Age*. New York: Penguin, 2021.

Tip: Choosing the right style

Always check your syllabus first. If your professor does not specify a style, follow these general rules: use MLA for English, foreign languages, and cultural studies. Use Chicago for history, art history, and theology. If you are writing a paper with a massive number of citations, Chicago is often the better choice as it prevents your sentences from becoming overwhelmed by parentheses.

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