How to Cite a Newspaper Article in MLA

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Newspaper – A daily or weekly publication that contains news, often featuring articles on political events, crime, business, art, entertainment, society, and sports.

Some examples of popular newspapers include The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Chicago Tribune.

Creating MLA in-text citations? See this MLA in-text citation guide.

How to cite a newspaper in print

Works Cited
Structure

Last, First M. “Article Title.” Newspaper Title [City], Day Month Year published, section name (if applicable), p. page number.
Example

Bowman, Lee. “Bills Target Lake Erie Mussels.” Pittsburgh Press, 7 Mar. 1990, p. A4.

View Screenshot | Cite your source

In-text Citation
Structure

(Author Last Name Page #)
Example

(Bowman A4)

 

When citing a newspaper in print

  1. City: You do NOT need to include the [City] name if
    • The city name is in the name of the newspaper.
    • It is a national or international newspaper.
  2. Page numbers: One page number is “p. #” More than one page is “pp. ##-##.”

How to cite a newspaper article found online

Works Cited
Structure

Last, First M. “Article Title.” Newspaper Title [City], Day Month Year published, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Example

Coldwell, Will. “Hawaii Becomes First US State to Ban Sunscreens Harmful to Coral Reefs.” The Guardian, 3 May 2018, www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/may/03/hawaii-becomes-first-us-state-to-ban-sunscreens-harmful-to-coral-reefs. Accessed 28 July 2020.

Cite your source

In-text Citation
Structure

(Author Last Name)
Example

(Coldwell)

 

When citing a newspaper found online

  1. City: You do NOT need to include the [City] name if
    • The city name is in the name of the newspaper.
    • It is a national or international newspaper.
  2. URL: Omit the https://.
  3. Accessed date: Technically, the access date is supplemental and does not always need to be included. However, due to the easily changeable nature of online information, many teachers prefer to include it in the citation.

How to cite a newspaper article found on a database

Works Cited
Structure

Last, First M. “Article Title.” Newspaper Title [City], Day Month Year published, section name (if applicable), p. page number. Database Name, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Example

Bahr, Lindsey. “‘Jurassic World’ Takes Bite Out of Record.” Charlotte Post, 18 Jun. 2015, p. 6B. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=103368082&site=ehost-live.

Cite your source

In-text Citation
Structure

(Author Last Name Page #)
Example

(Bahr 6B)

 

When citing a newspaper article found on a database

  1. City: You do NOT need to include the [City] name if
    • The city name is in the name of the newspaper.
    • It is a national or international newspaper.
  2. Page numbers: One page number is “p. #” More than one page is “pp. ##-##.”
  3. URL: Omit the https://.
  4. Accessed date: Technically, the access date is supplemental. However, some teachers will request to have it included.

Published October 31, 2011. Updated May 18, 2021.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

Citation Examples

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How do I cite an online newspaper article in MLA style?

To cite an online newspaper article in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author, publication date, title of the article, newspaper name, and the URL. The templates for in-text citations and works-cited-list entries of an online newspaper article, along with examples, are given below for one author:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author in the first occurrence. In subsequent citations, use only the surname. In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author.

Citation in prose:

First mention: Jane Brody . . .

Subsequent occurrences: Brody . . .

Parenthetical:

. . . (Brody)

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the article is in plain text and title case; it is placed inside quotation marks. The newspaper name is given in italics. Follow the format given in the template and example for writing the date, month, and year.

Template:

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Newspaper, Publication date, URL.

Example:

Reuters. “Wildfire in Southern Spain Forces 500 to Flee.” The Times of India, 9 Sept. 2021, www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/wildfire-in-southern-spain-forces-500-to-flee/articleshow/86063279.cms.

How do I cite an article from the New York Times online?

To cite an article from the New York Times in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author, publication date, title of the article, and the URL. The templates for in-text citation and works-cited-list entry of an article from the New York Times, along with examples, are given below for one author:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author in the first occurrence. In subsequent citations, use only the surname. In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author.

Citation in prose:

First mention: Jane Brody . . .

Subsequent occurrences: Brody . . .

Parenthetical:

. . . (Brody)

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the article is in plain text and title case; it is placed inside quotation marks. The newspaper name, “The New York Times,” is given in italics. Follow the format given in the template and example for writing the date, month, and year.

Template:

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Article.” The New York Times, Publication date, URL.

Example:

Brody, Jane. “How Vision Loss Can Affect the Brain.” The New York Times, 10 Sept. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/09/06/well/live/vision-loss-brain-health.html.