How does a copy editor revise a manuscript in Chicago style?

The Chicago Manual of Style, now in its 18th edition, is the bible of academic editing. At over 1,000 pages, it’s a doorstop of a book.

You can learn a few basics of Chicago style from the University of Chicago Press’s website. But these freebies only scratch the surface. If you are authoring an academic manuscript in Chicago style, it is essential to have access to the latest print edition of the manual or The Chicago Manual of Style Online.

You also need the expertise to interpret this massive guide, and an academic editor can help you with this task. Chicago style is daunting to the newcomer because of how comprehensive it is.

Other style manuals tend to be briefer and more prescriptive: “Do this; don’t do that.” In contrast, The Chicago Manual of Style is expansive; it is meant to cover all possible situations in academic publication. Sometimes Chicago style says, “It depends.” Chicago style gives greater latitude to the judgment and taste of the writer.

• For example, one of the fundamental choices within Chicago style is whether to use footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical references for citations. Footnotes and endnotes are more typical in the humanities, while parenthetical references are more typical in the social and natural sciences. However, publishers’ guidelines can differ, particularly as academic publishing migrates to online formats. It is essential to select the correct citation style and to apply it consistently.
• Another example regards the use of scare quotes. In humanities research, authors often use quotation marks to indicate that certain words are used in nonstandard, ironic, or problematized senses. The APA Publication Manual, which is primarily used within psychology and social sciences, greatly restricts this practice. The Chicago Manual of Style is more lenient about scare quotes, but its lengthy discussion amounts to saying, “You can use scare quotes if you must, but don’t abuse the privilege.”

An experienced academic editor can help to provide perspective as you prepare your manuscript. An editor can help you to decide if the “transgressive” use of scare quotes in your article is bracing or boring — not just whether the style guide allows it.

If you are looking for copy editing services for your research, you may wish to learn more about my editing business, Allegretto Editing.