As you learn about Chicago style, you may come across the phrase "Turabian style" or simply "Turabian," often overlapping with the information you read about Chicago style. For many, it is confusing as to what is the difference between the two, and when students are supposed to use one over the other.
The short answer is that there is NO difference between Chicago style and Turabian style. In 1930, the University of Chicago's dissertation secretary, who was in charge of reviewing each dissertation as it was submitted, noticed that students were making a lot of mistakes and clearly confused about how to use the (rather dense) Chicago Manual for their papers. To help them out (and make her own job easier!), she wrote a small pamphlet to guide students through the Chicago Manual that aimed to simplify its guidelines and focus on only things that mattered in the academic sphere. This pamphlet quickly gained popularity and eventually grew into A Manual for Writers by Kate L. Turabian, or simply "Turabian style." As of the 16th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, A Manual for Writers has been brought under the same development team, and both are fully compatible with each other.
The great news is that because Turabian style is designed for students, even high school students, it is quite easy to learn how to use. It is structured with the understanding that its users are new to academic writing and Chicago style, and so there are a great deal of teaching tools and "cheat sheets" to help new students get their bearings quickly. Check out the official guidance on the official Turabian Help & Tools Page.
