Citing a newspaper article or two in your school paper allows you to include current, relevant viewpoints to your research. MLA 8 uses nine core elements within a container system; this allows for flexibility while creating citations. This helps guide your readers to the relevant section of your citation source. Follow the newspaper article MLA citation examples below for the correct format.
Citation Format for Newspaper Articles
When writing citation sources for print newspaper articles, follow the basic MLA periodical format.
Works Cited Format
Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Newspaper Article.” Name of Newspaper, day Month Year, p.
In-Text Format
Use the author-page method for your in-text citations for print sources.
(Author’s last name page #)
Newspaper Print Article Citation Examples
Refer to these examples for how to format your citation for print newspaper articles. If the article is on one page, do not add the page number in the in-text citation.
Print Example 1 – Works Cited
Steinhauer, Jennifer. “California Water Law Curtailing New Development.” New York Times, 7 June 2008, p. C14.
Print Example 1 – In-Text
(Steinhauer)
Print Example 2 – Works Cited
Wong, Raam. “School Admits Releasing Waste into N.M. Canyon.” Albuquerque Journal, 18 June 2008, p. C2.
Print Example 2 – In-Text
(Wong)
Newspaper Web Article Citation Format
You can often find newspaper articles online through reputable sources, such as the Washington Post. Often you can view two or three articles per month for free. Use either the title or author’s last name in the in-text citation.
Web Example 1 – 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.
Web Example 1 – In-Text
(Finley)
Web Example 2 – Works Cited
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.
Web Example 2 – In-Text
(Cosner)
Citation Format With No Author
If you come across an article with no author listed, 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.
Strength Your MLA Citations
Although it’s best to use peer-reviewed journal articles and published books as solid sources in your research, occasionally using a MLA newspaper article citation can strengthen your paper. Look for articles in reputable newspapers, such as Los Angeles Times, New York Times and Washington Post. Steer away from tabloid articles.