Modern Language Association (MLA) style is most commonly used by those working in literature, history, and the art. Chicago also provides a structural and stylistic framework and consistency that helps readers better follow through and understand the literature they read and discover further sources of interest.
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) presents the writer with a choice between a citation style that is more of a hybrid style between American Psychological Association (APA) style and Modern Language Association (MLA), referred to as the Author/Date style and CMOS's Notes/Bibliography style which integrates footnotes and/or endnotes and often a final bibliography. Writers asked to use "Chicago style" should clarify which of those options is preferred. You'll also sometimes have someone refer to Turabian citation style, which is from a writing guide based on the Chicago Manual of Style but written specifically for students. The full name of the style guide is A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. It is currently in its ninth edition.
To learn more about Chicago Style, we recommend reading through the Chicago Style Overview at Purdue Owl, where you can find out the specific style and citation formats as well as see lots of example citations that can help you when you are citing your own sources.
We've put together a few sample citations in order to give you an idea of what the framework of Chicago citation is. If you are looking to cite a type of resource that is not given as an example below, you can head over to the Chicago Manual of Style Online to find more sample citations.
Sample Citation for Works Referenced List: Chicago Author/Date
James, Marlon. 2015. A Brief History of Seven Killings: A Novel. New York: Riverhead Books.
Sample Citation for Bibliography: Chicago Notes/Bibliography
James, Marlon. A Brief History of Seven Killings: A Novel. New York: Riverhead Books. 2015.
Sample Citation for Works References List: Chicago Author/Date
2014. "A Brief History of Seven Killings. Kirkus Reviews 82 (12): 83. EBSCO.
Sample Citation for Bibliography: Chicago Notes/Bibliography
“A Brief History of Seven Killings.” Kirkus Reviews 82, no. 12 (June 15, 2014): 83. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=aph&AN=96547050&authtype=shib&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Looking for more information on Chicago style? We've compiled the below list of resources that should be able to help answer any other citation or style questions you may have. Don't forget you can also always meet with a librarian whenever you have questions; we are more than happy to help you put together those citations.
The Chicago Manual of Style by 
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Ninth Edition by