Citing a TV show episode in Chicago style requires adhering to a specific format that prioritizes clarity and provides readers with the necessary information to locate the source. The citation differs slightly depending on whether you’re using the Notes and Bibliography system or the Author-Date system, but both aim to provide a complete and accurate reference.
Understanding the Chicago Style Citation Systems
Before diving into the specifics of citing a TV episode, it’s crucial to understand the two main Chicago style documentation systems:
- Notes and Bibliography: This system is typically preferred in the humanities (literature, history, art history). It uses footnotes or endnotes to provide citations within the text and a bibliography at the end of the document containing full bibliographic entries.
- Author-Date: This system is common in the sciences and social sciences. It uses parenthetical citations within the text, referencing the author and year, with a corresponding list of references at the end.
For TV show episodes, both systems require specific information. Let’s explore how to cite them using each method.
Citing in Notes and Bibliography Style
Notes
A note citation appears either at the bottom of the page (footnote) or at the end of the chapter/document (endnote) where the reference occurs. The first time you cite a TV episode, you need to provide a full note. Subsequent citations can be shortened.
Full Note Example:
- “Episode Title,” Series Title, season #, episode #, directed by Director Name, written by Writer Name, production company, original air date, platform (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, original network).
Example using actual data:
- “Three Stories,” House, M.D., season 1, episode 21, directed by Paris Barclay, written by David Shore, Heel and Toe Films, May 17, 2005, Hulu.
Shortened Note Example:
“Episode Title,” Series Title, season #, episode #.
Example using actual data:
“Three Stories,” House, M.D., season 1, episode 21.
Bibliography
The bibliography entry provides full bibliographic details for the cited source and appears at the end of your paper. The elements are arranged slightly differently from the notes.
Bibliography Entry Example:
“Episode Title.” Series Title, season #, episode #. Directed by Director Name. Written by Writer Name. Production company, original air date. Platform (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, original network).
Example using actual data:
“Three Stories.” House, M.D., season 1, episode 21. Directed by Paris Barclay. Written by David Shore. Heel and Toe Films, May 17, 2005. Hulu.
Key differences between the Note and Bibliography entry:
- The bibliography entry starts with the episode title in quotation marks.
- The director and writer are mentioned after the episode and series details.
- The Bibliography entry does not use commas to separate director and writer. Use “Directed by…” and “Written by…”.
- The platform (e.g., Hulu) is placed at the end.
Citing in Author-Date Style
In-Text Citation
The in-text citation in Author-Date style is brief and appears within the text, typically in parentheses. It includes the episode title (or a shortened version), the year, and the time stamp if you’re referencing a specific part.
In-Text Citation Example:
(“Episode Title,” year)
Example using actual data:
(“Three Stories,” 2005)
If referencing a specific moment:
(“Three Stories,” 2005, 00:15:30)
Reference List
The reference list entry provides full bibliographic details for the cited source and appears at the end of your paper.
Reference List Example:
“Episode Title.” Year. Series Title, season #, episode #. Directed by Director Name. Written by Writer Name. Production company. Original air date. Platform (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, original network).
Example using actual data:
“Three Stories.” 2005. House, M.D., season 1, episode 21. Directed by Paris Barclay. Written by David Shore. Heel and Toe Films. May 17, 2005. Hulu.
Important Considerations for Author-Date:
- The year follows the episode title.
- The rest of the information follows the same format as the Notes and Bibliography style’s bibliography entry.
- If you are using in-text citations and not providing a title in the text itself, the shortened version needs to be easily identifiable in the reference list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding citing TV show episodes in Chicago style:
FAQ 1: What if the director and writer are the same person?
If the director and writer are the same person, simply state “directed and written by [Name]” in both the Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date styles.
FAQ 2: What if the episode doesn’t have a specific director or writer credited?
If there’s no director or writer credited, omit that information from the citation. Only include information that is available.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a TV show if I’m referencing the entire series, not a specific episode?
To cite an entire TV series, include the title of the series, the years it aired, and the platform where it’s available.
FAQ 4: What if I’m watching the episode on a DVD or Blu-ray?
If you’re watching the episode on a DVD or Blu-ray, indicate the format in your citation. For example: “DVD” or “Blu-ray.” The original airdate and the platform are still important.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a TV show episode that I watched on a streaming service like Netflix?
Indicate the streaming service (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video) in the platform section of the citation.
FAQ 6: What if the episode has multiple writers?
List all writers credited for the episode, separated by “and.” For example: “written by Writer A and Writer B.”
FAQ 7: Should I italicize the TV series title?
Yes, the TV series title should always be italicized in both Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date styles.
FAQ 8: What if the episode title is very long? Can I shorten it in the in-text citation (Author-Date style)?
Yes, you can shorten the episode title in the in-text citation, but make sure it’s easily recognizable and corresponds to the full title in the reference list.
FAQ 9: How specific do I need to be with the date? Do I need the day, month, and year?
Yes, you need the full date (day, month, and year) of the original air date whenever possible.
FAQ 10: What if there’s no production company listed?
If there’s no production company listed, you can omit that information from the citation.
FAQ 11: If I’m citing multiple episodes from the same series, do I need to repeat all the information in the bibliography?
In the Notes and Bibliography system, you can use the term “Ibid.” (short for ibidem, meaning “in the same place”) for subsequent citations of the same source. However, you’ll still need to provide full details in the bibliography. The Author-Date system requires a complete citation for each episode.
FAQ 12: Where can I find the information I need to cite the episode?
You can usually find the necessary information (director, writer, production company, original air date) in the episode credits or on online databases like IMDb or TV.com. Be sure to double-check the accuracy of the information.