How to Cite The New York Times in APA Format

Complete guide to citing The New York Times in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

The New York Times presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling The New York Times's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: The New York Times Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Name of Newspaper. URL

The New York Times-Specific Notes:
Citing The New York Times in APA 7th edition format involves some specific considerations that differentiate it from citing other sources. One of the key differences is the inclusion of the full publication date, which should be formatted as Year, Month Day (e.g., 2023, October 5). This level of detail is essential because newspapers are published daily, and the exact date aids in locating the specific article referenced. The citation format for a New York Times article should look like this: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. The New York Times. URL. If no author is listed, the title moves to the author position.

A common point of confusion for students is distinguishing between print and online versions of newspaper articles. When citing The New York Times from its online version, include the URL at the end of the citation. In contrast, if citing from the print version, omit the URL and specify the page numbers if applicable. Furthermore, students often mistakenly italicize the title of the article instead of the newspaper name. In APA format, it is the name of The New York Times that should be italicized, not the article title.

To avoid common pitfalls, ensure that you correctly distinguish the author(s) and list them if available. If an article is unsigned, move the article title to the author position. Always verify the publication date from the article itself and avoid assuming it from the webpage header or footer. Additionally, use the URL that leads directly to the article rather than the homepage of the newspaper for online articles. By paying attention to these details, students can produce accurate and compliant citations for The New York Times articles.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Newspaper Article format with The New York Times specifics
- Locate citation info on The New York Times's website
- Handle The New York Times's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-31 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on The New York Times

Navigating The New York Times website to find citation information is a straightforward process, given its user-friendly design and consistent layout. Here is a detailed guide to help you locate the necessary details for citing an article in APA format.

1. Author Identification:

When you open an article on The New York Times website, the author's name is typically found directly beneath the title of the article. The byline is often presented in a smaller font and is usually prefixed by the word “By.” If multiple authors have contributed to the piece, all names will be listed in the same area. In cases where the article is written by the New York Times staff, you may see a generic byline like "The New York Times."

2. Publication Date:

The publication date is crucial for your citation and is generally located just below the author's name or alongside it. It is published in a day-month-year format. In some cases, especially with updated articles, you might also see a note indicating the last updated date. Always use the original publication date for your citation unless your institution's guidelines specify otherwise.

3. Article Title:

The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page in bold and larger font size. It is one of the first elements you will notice when you open an article. Ensure you copy the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles, as these are often part of the article’s formal title.

4. URL/Access Information:

The URL, which is essential for directing your reader to the exact source, can be found in the browser's address bar. Simply highlight the entire web address, which typically begins with "https://www.nytimes.com," and copy it for your citation. Ensure the URL is complete and accurate, as it provides direct access to the article.

5. Subscription Access:

It's important to note that The New York Times is a subscription-based website. While some articles may be accessible for free, others require a subscription to view the full text. If you're accessing the site through a university library, you may have institutional access, which allows you to view content behind the paywall. Always check with your library for access options.

In summary, citing an article from The New York Times involves a few simple steps: locate the author’s byline and publication date under the article title, copy the full title as it appears, and ensure you use the correct URL from the browser bar. These details will help you accurately cite your source in APA format.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your The New York Times Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating a citation for an article from The New York Times, ensure you have the following:

  1. A computer or device with internet access.
  2. Access to The New York Times website.
  3. A specific article you want to cite.
  4. A word processor or notebook to write your citation.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a New York Times Citation

Step 1: Find the Article

Action: Go to The New York Times website.

Verification: Ensure you are on the homepage by checking the URL, which should be https://www.nytimes.com.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: Use the search bar on the homepage to quickly find the article you need by typing in keywords related to the topic.

Step 2: Select the Article

Action: Click on the article title to open it.

Verification: Confirm that the article has loaded completely and that you can see the full text, author information, and publication date.

Time Estimate: 1-2 minutes.

Tips for Efficiency: If you know the exact title of the article, use quotation marks when searching to narrow down the results.

Step 3: Identify the Author

Action: Locate the author's name, which is usually found at the byline, typically at the top of the article.

Verification: Ensure you have the author's first name and last name. Write down the name in the format of Last Name, First Initial.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: If there are multiple authors, only list the first author in the citation. Use "et al." for more than three authors in your references.

Step 4: Find the Publication Date

Action: Look for the date the article was published, usually located just below the author's name.

Verification: Write down the date in the format of Year, Month Day. For example, if the article was published on March 15, 2023, record it as 2023, March 15.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: If the article was updated, use the original publication date for your citation.

Step 5: Write the Title of the Article

Action: Identify the title of the article, which is typically displayed prominently at the top of the article.

Verification: Make sure to write the title exactly as it appears, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns. For example, "The impact of climate change on urban areas."

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: If the title is long, consider paraphrasing, but ensure it conveys the main idea of the article.

Step 6: Note the Name of the Newspaper

Action: Write down "The New York Times" as the name of the newspaper.

Verification: Ensure you spell it correctly and format it in italics.

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: Remember that the name of the newspaper should always be italicized in your citation.

Step 7: Gather the URL

Action: Copy the URL from the address bar of your browser.

Verification: Ensure that the URL leads directly to the article and starts with "https://www.nytimes.com".

Time Estimate: 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency: Make sure the URL is complete by checking that it includes any specific identifiers for the article.

Step 8: Compile the Citation

Action: Combine all the gathered information into the citation format. Follow this structure: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of article. Name of Newspaper. URL.

Verification: Double-check your citation for accuracy and formatting. For example, your final citation might look like this: Smith, J. (2023, March 15). The impact of climate change on urban areas. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article-url.

Time Estimate: 2-3 minutes.

Tips for Efficiency: Keep a template handy for future citations to make the process faster.

By following these steps, you will be able to create a proper citation for an article from The New York Times. This process not only ensures you give credit to the authors but also enhances the credibility of your work.

Real Examples from The New York Times

This section provides authentic citation examples from The New York Times using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to browse the internet or access real-time content, so I can't provide current articles from The New York Times. However, I can guide you on how to format citations according to APA 7th edition based on hypothetical examples. Here's how you might structure your citations for different scenarios:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: An investigative article by a single journalist exploring environmental policy changes in 2023.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023, September 15). New policies reshape environmental landscape. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/environment/new-policies.html

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Smith (2023) discusses the impacts of recent environmental policy changes.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for representing a standard news article by a single author, a common format for news stories.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An editorial published by The New York Times Editorial Board on economic trends.

Complete Reference List Citation:
The New York Times Editorial Board. (2023, August 10). The state of the economy: Challenges and opportunities. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/opinion/economy-challenges.html

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (The New York Times Editorial Board, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): The New York Times Editorial Board (2023) provides an analysis of current economic challenges.

Notes: Citing a corporate author is unique as it reflects the collective viewpoint of an editorial board, offering a broader perspective on issues.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative report by two journalists on advances in technology.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L., & Patel, R. (2023, October 5). Breaking barriers: The latest in AI technology. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/technology/ai-advancements.html

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Johnson & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Johnson and Patel (2023) examine the latest advancements in AI technology.

Notes: This example shows how to cite an article with two authors, emphasizing collaboration in journalism.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: A feature article with a unique headline style, such as a question or a play on words.

Complete Reference List Citation:
Chen, D. (2023, July 20). Is our food future plant-based? Exploring the possibilities. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/20/food/plant-based-future.html

In-text Citation (Parenthetical): (Chen, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative): Chen (2023) explores the implications of a plant-based future for the food industry.

Notes: The headline's unique style requires careful attention to punctuation in the citation, illustrating the importance of accurately reflecting the original title.

These examples demonstrate the variety of content and citation styles you might encounter when referencing articles from The New York Times using APA 7th edition guidelines.

Common Issues When Citing The New York Times

Finding Authors

Issue Description: Students often struggle to locate the author of an article in The New York Times. This is because the author’s name may not always be prominently displayed, especially in older articles or those by multiple contributors.

Why It Happens: The New York Times sometimes presents articles with bylines that include multiple authors or contributors, which can be confusing. Additionally, some articles might be attributed to a staff or editorial team rather than a single author.

Solution:

  1. Locate the Byline: Check the top of the article, just beneath the headline. The author’s name is typically listed there. For articles with multiple contributors, look for a list of names or roles like "staff writer."
  2. Check the End of the Article: Sometimes additional contributors or information on the authors are listed at the bottom.
  3. Visit the Author's Page: Click on the author's name, if it is hyperlinked, to verify their role and other contributions.

Example:
- Before: No author listed in citation.
- After: Smith, J. (2023). [Article Title]. The New York Times. URL

Date Formats

Issue Description: Students often incorrectly format the publication date when citing articles from The New York Times.

Why It Happens: The New York Times displays dates in various formats (e.g., month-day-year or day-month-year) depending on the article’s location and type. This can lead to confusion about the correct APA format.

Solution:

  1. Locate the Publication Date: Typically found near the author’s name or at the beginning of the article.
  2. Convert to APA Format: In APA 7th edition, the format should be year, month day. For example, "October 5, 2023" should be formatted as "2023, October 5."

Example:
- Before: October 5, 2023
- After: (2023, October 5)

URL Handling

Issue Description: Students often struggle with how to correctly include URLs when citing articles from The New York Times.

Why It Happens: The New York Times URLs can be lengthy and sometimes contain tracking codes or session-specific information that should not be included in citations.

Solution:

  1. Copy the URL Directly: Use the URL from the address bar, ensuring it’s the most direct link to the article.
  2. Avoid Parameters: Remove any unnecessary tracking codes or parameters after the article name (e.g., “?smid=tw-share”).

Example:
- Before: https://www.nytimes.com/article.html?smid=tw-share
- After: https://www.nytimes.com/article.html

Access Requirements

Issue Description: Students may not realize that articles from The New York Times often require a subscription to access, affecting how they cite the source.

Why It Happens: The New York Times implements a paywall that limits access to non-subscribers, making it difficult for others to view the article using the provided URL in the citation.

Solution:

  1. Note the Access Date: Though not required in APA, noting the access date can be helpful in cases where content is time-sensitive.
  2. Indicate Access Restrictions: If the source is behind a paywall, you do not need to indicate this in APA format, but be aware of its implications for your readers.

Example:
- Before: No indication of access restrictions.
- After: Smith, J. (2023, October 5). [Article Title]. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article.html

By understanding these common issues and following the provided solutions, students can effectively navigate the unique challenges of citing The New York Times in APA 7th edition, ensuring accurate and professional citations in their academic work.

Note: For general Newspaper Article citation errors, see How to Cite Newspaper Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About The New York Times

Q: How do I find the necessary citation information for an article on The New York Times's website?

A: To cite an article from The New York Times, look for the article's title, author(s), publication date, and URL. The author’s name is typically listed below the headline, while the publication date is often found at the beginning or end of the article. The URL is found in the address bar of your web browser.

Q: How should I handle author names when citing articles from The New York Times, especially when there are multiple authors?

A: For articles with one author, list the author's last name followed by their initials. If there are up to 20 authors, list each one separated by commas, using an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

Q: What should I do if an article from The New York Times does not have a specific publication date?

A: The New York Times typically provides the publication date for each article, but if you encounter an article without a specific date, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year in your citation. However, verify if the date can be found through other means, such as checking the URL or using the article's metadata.

Q: Is it necessary to include a URL when citing an article from The New York Times, and are there any specific requirements?

A: Yes, include a URL in your citation to provide a direct link to the article. Ensure that the URL is complete and functional at the time of your access. Note that if the article is behind a paywall, you can still include the URL, but be aware that access may require a subscription.

Q: How does citing a New York Times article differ from other newspaper articles in APA format?

A: The primary differences in citing The New York Times compared to other newspapers may include the presence of a specific section or edition in the citation, which is not typically required for New York Times articles. Additionally, due to its high online presence, online URLs are often used, whereas print versions might not require a URL.

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