Learn how to cite a newspaper article in MLA through clear, concise examples. Citing a newspaper article or two in your school paper allows you to include current, relevant viewpoints in your research. MLA’s latest update, MLA Handbook, Eighth Edition, developed a container system to help students figure out how to cite sources, like a newspaper article, correctly. You’ll also explore how to cite newspaper articles in-text in addition to MLA works cited citation examples.
How to Cite a Newspaper Article in MLA
When it comes to how to cite a newspaper article, you must understand that MLA 8 uses nine core elements within a container system. This allows for flexibility while creating citations, guiding your readers to the relevant section of your citation source. When writing citation sources for print newspaper articles, follow the basic MLA periodical format.
Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Newspaper Article.” Name of Newspaper, day Month Year, p.
How to Cite a Newspaper Article MLA In-Text
Use the author-page method for your in-text citations for print sources.
(Author’s last name page #)
How to Cite a Print Newspaper Article in MLA
When trying to make a newspaper citation, they can be in print and online. Rather than sweat, refer to these examples for how to format your citation for print newspaper articles.
Newspaper Print Examples – Works Cited
Steinhauer, Jennifer. “California Water Law Curtailing New Development.” New York Times, 7 June 2008, p. C14.
Wong, Raam. “School Admits Releasing Waste into N.M. Canyon.” Albuquerque Journal, 18 June 2008, p. C2.
Newspaper Print Examples – In-Text
(Steinhauer)
(Wong)
Editorial and Letters to Editor
If you’re citing an editorial or letter to the editor, include that element after the article’s title.
Letter to Editor Example
Hayes, Jim. Letter. The News Review, 19 July 2019, p. B3.
Page Numbers in Articles
Often articles in newspapers start on one page and continue on back pages. In this case, do not include a page range in your citation. Use the plus sign to indicate additional pages:
Page Numbers in Articles Examples
Paterniti, Michael. “Trophy Hunting Debate.” Satin Tribute, October 2017, p. B3+.
Newspaper Web Article Citation Format
To make a newspaper citation for an online article, you need to vary your format by adding the URL. You can often find newspaper articles online through reputable sources, such as the Washington Post. They let you view two or three articles per month for free.
Newspaper Web Article Examples MLA – Works Cited
Finley, Bruce. “CU Study Warns of Scare Water.” Denver Post, 22 July 2009, denverpost.com/2009/07/21/cu-study-warns-of-scarce-water.
Cosner, Brian. “Concerns About Costs Raised at Water Board, City Council.” News-Review [Ridgecrest, CA], 22 Nov. 2019, news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000010757.
Newspaper Web Article Example MLA – In-Text
Use the author’s last name in the in-text citation for an online newspaper.
(Finley)
(Cosner)
How to Cite a Newspaper on a Database MLA
In addition to print and online, you can cite newspaper articles on a database. Your school or library provides access to databases that include archived issues. To cite newspapers on a database, you include the database information at the end of the citation.
Newspaper Database Article Example MLA – Works Cited
Garner, Jim. “Fear of Heights.” Denver Post, 22 July 2009, p. 7B. EBSCOhost.unr.ebsco.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1790256212?accountid=452.
Newspaper Web Article Example MLA – In-Text
(Garner)
Newspaper MLA Citation Format With No Author
If you come across a newspaper article with no author listed for your MLA citation, use the title as the first element. Use a shortened version of the title for the in-text citation.
No Author Example – Works Cited
“More Rains Expected Next Week, Potential for Snow.” News-Review [Ridgecrest, CA], 22 Nov. 2019, news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000010756.
No Author Example – In-Text
(“More Rains”)
- Abbreviate months.
- Include the access date, if the article is not dated.
- Identify the edition after the newspaper title, if there is more than one edition per day.
- Always follow your teacher’s instructions.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Magazine and newspaper articles can be primary or secondary sources, depending on the content. Secondary sources should be used sparingly in your MLA school paper. Items published by a newspaper that are primary sources include:
- Articles about events witnessed by the author
- Unedited speeches
- Unedited interviews
- Letters
- Photos
- Video or audio
Secondary sources include:
- Opinion pieces
- Discussion of an event not seen by the author
- Analysis of research
Most teachers prefer for you to use primary sources, such as original research, unedited interviews, maps, and images. Moreover, your school or library provides access to databases like JSTOR. And, you can find websites that provide free access to public domain sources.
Strengthen Your MLA Citations
Finding newspaper articles for your MLA humanities paper is an excellent way to add current information to your discussion. Since newspapers are periodicals, they are published regularly, usually daily or weekly.
Newspaper articles can be primary or secondary sources, depending on the content. Although it’s best to use peer-reviewed journal articles and published books as reliable sources in your research, occasionally using an MLA newspaper article citation can strengthen your paper. Look for articles in reputable newspapers, such as the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and Washington Post. Steer away from tabloid articles. Now that you have the know-how, time to create some MLA citations.
FAQ How to Cite a Newspaper Article in MLA With Examples
How do you cite a newspaper article in MLA?
To cite a newspaper article in MLA, you need the author's name, title, publisher, date, and the page number. An MLA citation for a newspaper article example looks like:
Daren, Roger. “A Sign of the Times.” Fictional Newspaper, 10 August 2020, p. C12.
How do I cite an article in MLA?
To cite an article in MLA, you follow the citation format for a periodical. This means an article citation includes the author's name, the title of the article, publisher of the article, date, and page number. An example of a citation for an MLA article looks like:
Rice, Melisa. "Understanding the Stars." News Review, 20 August 2020, p. 16.
How do you cite a newspaper article in text citation?
To create an in-text citation for a newspaper article, you include the author's last name and page number (Rice 16). However, if the article is located online or only on one page, you list the author's last name (Rice).
How do I cite an online article?
To cite an online article in MLA format, you must include the URL in addition to the author's name, the title of the article, name of the publisher, and date. An online article citation for a newspaper looks like:
Baner, Bruce “Becoming Like Hulk.” Weekly News, 22 July 2009, weeklynews.com/2009/07/21/become_the_hulk/.
How do you reference an article?
To reference an article in your MLA paper, you include a citation for any information you used from the article in the text. Additionally, you'll create a citation on your works cited page providing the author, title, publisher, and date information.