In Chicago style, citing an indirect source—meaning you are quoting or paraphrasing an author (the original source) whose work you encountered through another author's publication (the secondary source)—requires a specific approach that prioritizes tracing information back to its origin while acknowledging what you actually consulted. The core principle is to cite the original work in its initial form, then explicitly include the citation for the secondary source where you viewed it.
Chicago style generally encourages researchers to consult the original source whenever possible. However, when direct access isn't feasible, here's how to properly attribute indirect sources using both the Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date systems.
Understanding Indirect Sources in Chicago
An indirect source, often referred to as a "secondary source" in Chicago, is a situation where you rely on someone else's account or interpretation of an original work. For instance, if you read a book by Author B that discusses or quotes a passage from Author A's work, and you haven't read Author A's work yourself, Author A is the original source, and Author B is the secondary source you are citing.
Citing Indirect Sources in the Notes-Bibliography System
This system is commonly used in humanities disciplines like history, literature, and the arts. It uses footnotes or endnotes for citations and a bibliography at the end of the paper.
1. Footnote or Endnote Entry
When using a footnote or endnote for an indirect source, you provide a full citation for the original author's work, followed by an indication that you accessed this information through another source. Common phrases include "quoted in," "cited in," or "as discussed in."
Structure for Footnote/Endnote:
Original Author's First Name Last Name, Original Work Title (Original Publication City: Original Publisher, Original Publication Year), page number(s), quoted in Secondary Author's First Name Last Name, Secondary Work Title (Secondary Publication City: Secondary Publisher, Secondary Publication Year), page number(s).
Example:
Footnote/Endnote:
- Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, trans. Alan Sheridan (New York: Vintage Books, 1977), 198, quoted in Edward Said, Orientalism (New York: Vintage Books, 1978), 23.
2. Bibliography Entry
Crucially, in the bibliography, you only list the secondary source that you actually consulted. You do not include the original source in your bibliography unless you also consulted it directly.
Structure for Bibliography:
Secondary Author's Last Name, First Name. Secondary Work Title. Secondary Publication City: Secondary Publisher, Secondary Publication Year.
Example:
Bibliography:
Said, Edward. Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books, 1978.
Citing Indirect Sources in the Author-Date System
Predominantly used in social sciences, physical sciences, and natural sciences, the Author-Date system uses parenthetical in-text citations and a reference list.
1. In-text Citation
In the Author-Date system, your in-text citation should refer to the original author, followed by a phrase like "quoted in" or "cited in," and then the secondary author and publication year, along with the page number(s) from the secondary source.
Structure for In-text Citation:
(Original Author Last Name Year, quoted in Secondary Author Last Name Year, page number(s))
Example:
In-text Citation:
(Foucault 1977, quoted in Said 1978, 23)
If you mention the original author in your sentence, the in-text citation can be slightly different:
Example (Original Author mentioned in text):
Foucault (1977, quoted in Said 1978, 23) argued that...
2. Reference List Entry
Similar to the bibliography in the Notes-Bibliography system, the reference list for the Author-Date system should only include the secondary source that you directly accessed.
Structure for Reference List:
Secondary Author Last Name, First Name. Year. Secondary Work Title. Secondary Publication City: Secondary Publisher.
Example:
Reference List:
Said, Edward. 1978. Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books.
Summary Table: Indirect Source Citation in Chicago
To help clarify the differences, here's a summary of how indirect sources are handled in each Chicago citation system:
| Aspect | Notes-Bibliography System | Author-Date System |
|---|---|---|
| In-text/Footnote | Footnote/Endnote: Original source details, then "quoted in" secondary source details. | Parenthetical: (Original Author Year, quoted in Secondary Author Year, page) |
| Bibliography/Ref List | Lists only the secondary source. | Lists only the secondary source. |
| Primary Goal | Attribute original author, clarify source actually read. | Attribute original author, clarify source actually read. |
Best Practices for Handling Indirect Sources
- Prioritize Original Sources: Always make an earnest effort to locate and consult the original source. Direct engagement with the material strengthens your research and minimizes misinterpretations. Many academic libraries and online databases can assist in finding older or less common works.
- Use Sparingly: Indirect citations should be used judiciously. Over-reliance might suggest a lack of thorough research or could lead to propagating errors from the secondary source.
- Verify Accuracy: If possible, cross-reference the information with other sources or summaries of the original work to ensure the secondary source accurately represents the original.
- When to Use: Use indirect citation when the original source is genuinely unavailable (e.g., out of print, not digitized, in a language you don't read, or in an archive you cannot access).
- Clarity is Key: Always make it clear to your reader that you are citing an idea or quote that you found within another work. The phrases "quoted in," "cited in," or "as discussed in" are essential for transparency.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively and ethically cite indirect sources in your Chicago-style academic work, ensuring proper attribution while maintaining the integrity of your research. For more in-depth guidance, consult the official Chicago Manual of Style Online.
