How to Cite The Washington Post in Chicago 17 Format

The Washington Post is one of the most frequently cited newspapers in academic writing, particularly in political science, history, journalism studies, and public policy research. Citing it in Chicago 17th Edition format requires attention to several details that distinguish it from other newspaper citations: the use of the italicized full title The Washington Post (retaining the initial "The" as part of the official name), handling its extensive online archive, and properly formatting contributions from named reporters versus editorial board pieces. This guide walks you through every variation you're likely to encounter.

Understanding Chicago 17 Newspaper Citation Basics

Chicago 17th Edition treats newspapers differently depending on whether you are using the Notes-Bibliography (NB) system or the Author-Date system. For most humanities disciplines where The Washington Post is cited, the Notes-Bibliography system is standard. A key rule to remember: Chicago style considers newspaper articles as a category that is often cited only in footnotes or endnotes, not necessarily in the bibliography. However, if a newspaper article is critical to your argument or cited repeatedly, you should include it in the bibliography as well.

For comprehensive Chicago formatting rules, see our Chicago 17th Edition citation guide. For general newspaper citation rules, consult our newspaper article citation guide.

Where to Find Citation Information on The Washington Post

Locating the correct bibliographic details for a Washington Post article depends on how you accessed it. Here is where to find each element:

On the Website (washingtonpost.com)

• Author name: Listed directly beneath the headline. Some articles list multiple reporters. Use all names as they appear.
• Article title: The main headline at the top of the article. Use the headline as it appears, not any shortened version from social media or search results.
• Publication date: Found directly below the author name, usually in "Month Day, Year" format. The Washington Post sometimes updates articles—use the original publication date unless you need to note the update.
• URL: Copy from your browser's address bar. Washington Post URLs are typically structured as washingtonpost.com/section/year/month/day/article-slug/.
• Section: Not required in Chicago style for newspaper articles, but visible in the URL path and breadcrumb navigation if needed for context.

Through a Database (ProQuest, LexisNexis, etc.)

• Author and title: Listed in the database record, though formatting may differ from the original. When possible, verify against the original website.
• Date: Found in the database metadata fields.
• URL or database name: Chicago 17 allows you to cite either the database URL or the database name. A stable URL or permalink is preferred over a search-result URL.
• Page numbers: If you accessed a PDF of the print edition through a database, page numbers may be available. Include them when provided.

Print Edition

• Page numbers: Found on the physical page. Note the section letter if applicable (e.g., A1, B3).
• Edition: Check the masthead. The Washington Post publishes regional editions that may paginate differently.

Detailed Examples

Example 1: Standard Online News Article

A typical reported news article accessed on The Washington Post website.

Key points: Both authors are listed. In the footnote, names appear in standard order (First Last). In the bibliography, only the first author's name is inverted. The URL has no period after it in the footnote, but the entire entry ends with a period in the bibliography.

Example 2: Opinion or Editorial Column

Washington Post opinion pieces, columns, and editorials by named authors follow the same pattern but may include the column name if relevant.

Key points: Treat opinion columns the same as standard articles. The opinions section path in the URL provides context but does not need to be noted separately in the citation.

Example 3: Unsigned Editorial (Editorial Board)

The Washington Post publishes unsigned editorials that represent the editorial board's position. These require a different approach since there is no individual author.

Key points: In the footnote, begin with "Editorial" as a descriptor. In the bibliography, list the newspaper title first since there is no author. This follows Chicago's guidelines for anonymous or institutional authorship in periodicals.

Example 4: Article Accessed via Database with Page Numbers

When you access a Washington Post article through an academic database and have print page numbers available.

Key points: Include the page number after the date. The database name (ProQuest, LexisNexis, etc.) replaces the URL. If a stable database URL is available, you may include it instead of or in addition to the database name.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating a Footnote Citation

1. Start with the author's name in standard order: First Name Last Name. For two authors, join with "and." For three authors, list all three separated by commas with "and" before the last. For four or more, list the first author followed by "et al."
2. Add the article title in quotation marks, followed by a comma inside the closing quotation mark.
3. Italicize the newspaper name: The Washington Post. Include "The" since it is part of the newspaper's official title. Follow with a comma.
4. Add the publication date in Month Day, Year format (e.g., January 27, 2025). Follow with a comma if a URL follows, or a period if ending.
5. Include the URL for online articles. Do not place a period after the URL itself; end the footnote with a period after any final element.

Creating a Bibliography Entry

1. Invert the first author's name: Last Name, First Name. Only invert the first author; additional authors remain in standard order.
2. Add the article title in quotation marks, ending with a period inside the closing quotation mark.
3. Italicize the newspaper name: The Washington Post, followed by a comma.
4. Add the date in Month Day, Year format, followed by a period.
5. Add the URL on its own, ending with a period.
6. Format with a hanging indent: The first line is flush left; subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Common Mistakes When Citing The Washington Post

1. Dropping "The" from the Name

The official title is The Washington Post, not Washington Post. Chicago style retains the initial article when it is part of the newspaper's official name. Always italicize the full title including "The."

2. Confusing Footnotes with Bibliography Format

In footnotes, the author's name appears in standard order (First Last). In the bibliography, the first author's name is inverted (Last, First). Mixing these up is one of the most common errors. Additionally, footnotes use commas between most elements, while bibliography entries use periods.

3. Including Unnecessary Access Dates

Chicago 17 does not require access dates for newspaper articles unless no publication date is available. Since Washington Post articles are always dated, skip the access date.

4. Omitting URLs for Online Articles

If you read the article online, include the URL. Chicago 17 expects URLs for online sources. Use the direct article URL, not a search results page or shortened link.

5. Using Incorrect Date Formatting

Chicago style uses Month Day, Year format (January 27, 2025), not day-month-year or numerical formats. Do not abbreviate month names in notes or bibliography entries.

6. Adding Section Labels for Online Articles

Section labels (e.g., "Politics," "Style") appear in Washington Post URLs and navigation but are not required in the citation. Only include section letters (A1, B3) when citing the print edition with page numbers.

7. Failing to Shorten Footnotes on Subsequent References

After the first full footnote, all subsequent references to the same article should use the shortened form: Last Name, "Shortened Title." Do not repeat the full citation each time.

Special Situations

Citing a Washington Post Podcast or Video

The Washington Post produces podcasts and video content. These are not cited as newspaper articles. Instead, treat podcasts as podcast episodes and videos as online videos, noting "The Washington Post" as the publisher or production entity.

Citing Washington Post Interactive or Data Journalism

For interactive features, data visualizations, or special projects, cite them as web pages or online multimedia, listing the author(s) if available and The Washington Post as the publisher. Include a descriptive title if the page does not have a traditional headline.

Wire Service Articles Published in The Washington Post

If an article is credited to the Associated Press, Reuters, or another wire service but published in The Washington Post, cite The Washington Post as the source with the wire service noted as the author:

Articles with Updated or Corrected Dates

The Washington Post sometimes displays both an original publication date and an updated date. Use the original publication date in your citation. If the update substantially changed the article's content and the update is relevant to your argument, you may note it parenthetically: (updated March 5, 2025).

Footnotes vs. Bibliography: When to Include Both

Chicago 17 allows newspaper articles to be cited only in notes without a corresponding bibliography entry. However, you should include a bibliography entry when:

• The article is a primary source central to your argument
• You cite the same article multiple times throughout your paper
• Your instructor or publisher requires all sources in the bibliography
• The article provides key evidence that readers may want to locate

When in doubt, include the bibliography entry. It costs nothing and makes your sources easier for readers to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include "The" in The Washington Post when citing it?

Yes. Unlike many newspapers where the initial article is dropped or treated as optional, "The" is part of The Washington Post's official masthead title. Chicago style retains it and italicizes it along with the rest of the name. This distinguishes it from newspapers like the Los Angeles Times, where "the" is not part of the official title.

How do I cite a Washington Post article that requires a subscription to access?

Cite it the same way as any other online article, including the full URL. Chicago 17 does not require you to note that an article is behind a paywall. Your readers may access it through library databases, institutional subscriptions, or by other means. If you accessed it through a database rather than the website, cite the database name or stable link instead of the washingtonpost.com URL.

How do I handle Washington Post articles with no named author?

If no individual author is credited, begin the footnote with the article title. In the bibliography, begin with the newspaper name. This commonly applies to unsigned editorials, staff-written briefs, and wire service roundups. For editorials specifically, use "Editorial" as a descriptor before the title in footnotes, as shown in Example 3 above.

Can I use "Wash. Post" or "WP" as an abbreviation?

No. Chicago style requires the full, official newspaper title in all citations. Never abbreviate newspaper names in footnotes or bibliography entries. The full italicized title The Washington Post should appear every time. Abbreviations are only acceptable in informal in-text references outside of the citation apparatus (e.g., "as the Post reported"), and even then, ensure the full title has been established first.

Additional Resources

For more guidance on Chicago 17 citation formatting, explore these related guides:

• Complete Chicago 17th Edition Citation Guide
• How to Cite a Newspaper Article in Chicago 17