Style Guide for Authors

The Journal of the Life and Culture of San Antonio uses the Chicago Manual of Style, (15th ed.; Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003) as its source for appropriate style. Writers should consult it, or Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, (6th ed.; Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996) in order to present their work in acceptable style and format. Further, editors recommend studying the subject matter and style of previously published articles and entries.

Writers make submissions electronically by emailing their work as an attached Word Document, version 6.0 or more recent. The Journal will arrange anonymous review by scholars and associate editors who are experts in the subject area. Their recommendations will determine the suitability of submissions, and editors will write revision recommendations for authors. Publication on the Journal’s website occurs after final revision and acceptance by the editors.

Research Paper Documentation:

A Style Guide for Footnotes

1. Document all factual statements except those commonly known in order to guide readers to the paper’s sources of information.
2. A footnote may reference more than one source; a semicolon will separate citations.
3. A footnote may not apply to more than one paragraph.
4. Use superscript sequential numbering for footnotes.
5. All quotations require documentation.
6. After first reference to an archival library, use abbreviations: “Institute of Texan Cultures, hereafter cited as ITC.”
7. Use DRTL for Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, CAH for Center for American History, BCDR for Bexar County Deeds and Records.
8. Use “ibid.” when the entire previous footnote applies
9. Use “et al” for books and articles with more than two authors.
10. When referring to a previously mentioned book or article use the author’s last name, and an abbreviated form of the title that preserves title word order.
11. Avoid citing an entire chapter as “Chapter 8,” but rather indicate the page numbers.
12. Avoid “passim”, “ff.”, “loc.cit.” and “op. cit.”
13. Keep to a minimum the use of “see also.”
14. Keep discourse in footnotes to a minimum; when it occurs, it precedes the citation.
15. Bear in mind that the purpose of the footnote is to allow readers to find the same information used in the preparation of the paper.