CHICAGO STYLE ELLIPSES - wiki

Mastering the Chicago Style Ellipsis

The Chicago style ellipsis (...) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots used to indicate the omission of words or phrases from quoted material. Adhering to Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) guidelines ensures clarity and accuracy when shortening texts for conciseness or relevance. Correct usage of the ellipsis clarifies whether material was removed from the beginning, middle, or end of a quotation, and how surrounding punctuation should be treated.

What is an Ellipsis in Chicago Style?

In the Chicago Manual of Style, an ellipsis signals that words have been intentionally left out of a quotation. It helps streamline long passages, focusing on the most pertinent information. Knowing when and how to use it prevents misrepresentation of the original author's intent. ann arbor to chicago drive

Chicago Style Ellipsis Rules

The Chicago Manual of Style provides specific guidance on using ellipses within quotations:

General Usage

An ellipsis should consist of three periods with a space before and after each period (...). This provides visual clarity, especially when the ellipsis falls between words or phrases.

Omission at the Beginning or End

If the ellipsis occurs at the beginning of a quotation, it indicates that the beginning portion of the original text has been omitted. No additional punctuation is needed before the ellipsis. If it appears at the end, include it before the closing quotation mark. When a complete sentence is omitted after a sentence ends within a quoted section, the ellipsis is preceded by the end punctuation of the first sentence, followed by a space, and then the ellipsis. Four dots are used in such cases.

Omission Within a Sentence

When omitting words mid-sentence, place the ellipsis in the spot where the words are removed. Maintain proper spacing before and after the ellipsis.

Block Quotations

The rules for ellipses in block quotations (long quotations set off from the main text) are essentially the same as those for shorter quotations. arc at the lake chicago If the omitted material includes a complete sentence or more at the end of the block quotation, a four-dot ellipsis is used.

Examples of Chicago Style Ellipsis

Original: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog, and the lazy dog barely notices."

With Ellipsis: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog ... barely notices."

Original: "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd. car inspection chicago"

With Ellipsis: "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer... or to take arms against a sea of troubles...."

Why Use Ellipses? giant metal bean chicago

Ellipses serve several purposes: conciseness (shortening text without losing meaning), relevance (highlighting key parts of a quotation), and readability (improving the flow of information by removing unnecessary elements).

When NOT to Use an Ellipsis

Avoid using ellipses gratuitously. Only use them when the omission significantly improves clarity or conciseness. Do not use an ellipsis to distort the original author's meaning. A more comprehensive explanation can be found on Wikipedia's article on Ellipsis.

FAQs About Chicago Style Ellipsis

How do I create an ellipsis in Word?

You can type three periods (...) or use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+period.

Is there a space before and after an ellipsis in Chicago style?

Yes, there should be a space before and after each period in the ellipsis.

What if the ellipsis is at the end of a sentence?

Place the end punctuation of the sentence before the ellipsis, resulting in four dots: the punctuation mark, a space, and then the three dots of the ellipsis.

Does an ellipsis change the meaning of a quote?

Ideally, no. It should only remove non-essential parts while preserving the original intent.

Can I use an ellipsis at the beginning of a quote?

Yes, to indicate that the beginning of the original sentence was omitted. No extra punctuation is needed before the ellipsis in this case.

Summary

Mastering the Chicago style ellipsis enhances the precision and readability of academic and professional writing. By following the specific guidelines related to spacing, placement, and punctuation, you can effectively shorten quotations without compromising their integrity or misrepresenting the author's intended meaning. Knowing when and how to properly use ellipses is a valuable skill for any writer.