How to Cite The White House in APA Format

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

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

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Quick Reference: The White House Citations

Reference List Format:
Agency Name. (Year). Title of report (Report No. XXX, if available). Publisher. https://www.example.gov/report

The White House-Specific Notes:
When citing The White House in APA 7th edition, it is critical to understand its unique formatting requirements compared to general government agency citations. In APA style, The White House is considered a distinctive entity and should be directly named as the author, rather than listing it under "U.S. Government" or another broader category. This means that in your reference list, you should begin with "The White House" as the author, followed by the publication year, title of the document in italics, and then the URL if it is an online source. For example: The White House. (2022). Title of the document. URL.

A common point of confusion arises when students attempt to apply generic government citation rules, which often involve listing the department and its subdivisions. However, The White House is treated uniquely because it serves as both the author and publisher in many cases. Students might mistakenly attribute a document to a specific office within The White House, but APA guidelines specify that "The White House" should stand alone as the author when it is the primary entity responsible for the content.

To avoid common pitfalls, students should ensure they are attributing documents specifically to The White House when it is explicitly stated as the author. Furthermore, it is vital to double-check the document's publication details to ensure accuracy. Students should also remember that, unlike some other government documents, the specific date of publication (not just year) should be included if available, as this can affect the relevancy and retrieval of the source. Following these best practices will help ensure that citations are both accurate and conform to APA standards.

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

Key Points:
- Use Government Report format with The White House specifics
- Locate citation info on The White House's website
- Handle The White House's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on The White House

Navigating The White House website (https://www.whitehouse.gov) to gather citation information requires a keen eye for detail due to its unique layout, which is designed to provide official information efficiently. Understanding where to locate citation elements such as the author, publication date, title, and URL will ensure that your citations are accurate and complete, specifically in the context of APA 7th edition guidelines.

Author

On The White House website, articles and press releases often do not have a specific author listed. Instead, they are attributed to the White House as an institution. In such cases, APA 7th edition allows you to use the organization as the author. When citing, you should list "The White House" as the author in your reference entry. If a specific author's name is provided, it will usually appear at the top of the article, just below the headline or in the introductory section.

Publication Date

The publication date is typically presented directly below the headline of the article or press release. This date is formatted in a straightforward manner, usually including the month, day, and year, making it easy to locate. Record the full date as it appears, as APA format requires the year, followed by the month and day in the reference list.

Title

The title of the content is prominently displayed at the top of the page in a larger font size, making it the most noticeable part of the page. Ensure you capture the complete title, including any subtitles, as it appears on the website. This is essential for maintaining the integrity and specificity of your citation.

URL/Access Information

The URL can be found in the browser's address bar. It is crucial to copy the entire URL exactly as it appears to ensure that your reader can access the same content. APA 7th edition requires the inclusion of a retrieval date only if the content is likely to change over time, which is not typically the case with official documents on The White House website. Therefore, you can generally omit the retrieval date unless specified otherwise.

To efficiently find articles or press releases, use the search bar located at the top right corner of the homepage. You can enter keywords related to your topic to narrow down relevant documents. Additionally, the website's menu, which includes sections like "Briefing Room" and "Issues," can guide you to specific types of content.

By following these steps, you can accurately collect and cite information from The White House website, ensuring your academic work upholds the standards of clarity and reliability.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your The White House Citation

What You Need

To create a citation for a report published by The White House using APA style, you will need the following:

  1. Access to the internet.
  2. A web browser.
  3. A reference management tool or a word processor to write down your citation.
  4. Basic knowledge of the APA citation format.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Report

Action: Navigate to the White House website by entering the URL in your web browser.

Verification: Make sure you land on the homepage of The White House. You can then use the search feature on the website to find the specific report you want to cite.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use specific keywords related to the report to narrow your search results quickly.

Step 2: Locate the Full Title of the Report

Action: Click on the report link to open it. Look for the full title of the report at the top of the document.

Verification: Ensure that you have written down the complete title as it appears. The title should be italicized in your citation.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Copy the title directly and paste it into your citation draft to avoid errors.

Step 3: Find the Publication Year

Action: Look for the publication date, which is usually found near the title or in the introduction section of the report.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct year of publication. This year is crucial for your citation.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the publication date is not explicitly stated, check the footer or the last page of the report.

Step 4: Determine the Agency Name

Action: Identify the agency responsible for the report. In this case, it will be "The White House".

Verification: Make sure you are using the full official name of the agency in your citation.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If you are unsure, you can often find the agency name in the report’s introduction or in the website header.

Step 5: Check for a Report Number

Action: Look for a report number, which might be listed on the title page or in the executive summary.

Verification: If a report number exists, note it down. If there is no report number, you will omit this part from your citation.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the search function (Ctrl + F) to quickly locate the report number within the document.

Step 6: Create the Citation Using the Template

Action: Begin constructing your citation using the template provided. Use the format: Agency Name. (Year). Title of report (Report No. XXX, if available). Publisher. https://www.example.gov/report.

Verification: Fill in each part of the template with the information you gathered. Make sure to italicize the title and include punctuation correctly.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Keep your citation draft open while you refer back to the report to ensure accuracy.

Step 7: Review and Format Your Citation

Action: Carefully review your citation for any mistakes or missing information.

Verification: Ensure that all components are present and that the formatting aligns with APA style, including italics and punctuation.

Time Estimate: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a citation tool or generator to double-check your APA formatting if you are unsure.

Step 8: Save Your Citation

Action: Copy your completed citation into your reference management tool or word processor.

Verification: Make sure it is saved properly and is easy to access when needed.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Consider organizing your citations by topic or project to streamline future reference.

By following these steps, you should be able to create a proper APA citation for a report from The White House. This process will not only improve your citation skills but also enhance your ability to reference governmental documents effectively.

Real Examples from The White House

This section provides authentic citation examples from The White House using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As of my last update in October 2023, I don't have real-time access to external databases or websites, including The White House website, to fetch the most recent articles or content pieces for 2023-2024. However, I can guide you on how to format APA citations based on hypothetical examples that you might encounter on The White House website. Here is a general structure based on typical scenarios:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: A speech transcript by the President on climate change initiatives.

Reference List Citation:
The White House. (2023). Remarks by President Biden on climate change initiatives. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/09/15/remarks-by-president-biden-on-climate-change

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(The White House, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
The White House (2023) discusses climate change initiatives in President Biden's remarks.

Notes: This example is noteworthy because it represents a direct speech from the President, a common type of content on The White House website.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: A policy briefing on economic recovery efforts published by The White House.

Reference List Citation:
The White House. (2023). Economic recovery efforts: A comprehensive plan. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/01/economic-recovery-efforts

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(The White House, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
The White House (2023) outlines a comprehensive plan for economic recovery.

Notes: This example illustrates a corporate author scenario, where the publisher and author are the same entity.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative report on infrastructure development authored by multiple departments.

Reference List Citation:
Department of Transportation, & The White House. (2023). Advancing infrastructure development across America (Report No. 2023-01). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/reports/2023/09/advancing-infrastructure

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Department of Transportation & The White House, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Department of Transportation and The White House (2023) present a report on infrastructure development.

Notes: This example is unique due to the involvement of multiple authors, highlighting inter-agency collaboration.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: An executive order related to healthcare reform.

Reference List Citation:
The White House. (2023). Executive order on healthcare reform (Executive Order No. 14092). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/05/executive-order-healthcare-reform

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(The White House, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
The White House (2023) issues an executive order on healthcare reform.

Notes: This example is noteworthy because it involves a specific type of document, an executive order, which requires noting the executive order number.

These examples demonstrate various citation scenarios and are based on the most common types of content available from The White House. For real, up-to-date content, you would need to visit the website and locate the specific documents to create accurate citations.

Common Issues When Citing The White House

Identifying the Author

Issue Description:
When citing The White House website, students often struggle with identifying the correct author because the content is usually attributed to the institution rather than a specific person.

Why It Happens:
The White House's website content, such as press releases or policy statements, is often published under the institution's name rather than an individual author. This can be confusing as students are accustomed to looking for individual authors in other sources.

Solution:
In APA format, when a work does not have an individual author, the organization should be listed as the author. In this case, use "The White House" as the author.

Example:
- Before: Author: Not Specified
- After: Author: The White House

Formatting the Date

Issue Description:
Students often encounter difficulties in properly formatting dates from The White House website due to variations in date presentation.

Why It Happens:
The White House website might display dates in formats not directly aligned with APA guidelines, such as using full month names or including time stamps.

Solution:
In APA 7th edition, the date should be formatted as Year, Month Day. Ensure that you convert any date formats to this structure.

Example:
- Before: Date: September 15, 2023
- After: Date: 2023, September 15

Handling URLs

Issue Description:
Students sometimes omit URLs or include incorrect ones in their citations.

Why It Happens:
The White House website often has lengthy URLs, and students might either truncate them or forget to include them altogether.

Solution:
Always include the full URL. In APA, it is important to provide a direct link to the specific page or document you are referencing. Ensure the URL is entered accurately and completely.

Example:
- Before: URL: www.whitehouse.gov
- After: URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/15/specific-press-release

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may be confused about whether to note access requirements or retrieval dates for sources from The White House.

Why It Happens:
Some online sources require subscription access or are periodically updated, which affects citation. However, The White House website is publicly accessible, yet students might be unsure about whether retrieval dates are necessary.

Solution:
For websites like The White House that are publicly accessible and unlikely to change frequently, you do not need to include a retrieval date unless the content is expected to change over time.

Example:
- Before: Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov on September 15, 2023
- After: Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov

Putting It All Together

A complete citation for a page from The White House website might look like this:

Example Citation:
The White House. (2023, September 15). Title of the specific webpage. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/15/specific-press-release

By understanding how to correctly identify the author, format dates, handle URLs, and determine access requirements, students can effectively cite The White House as a source in their academic work. These steps not only adhere to APA 7th edition guidelines but also enhance the credibility and accuracy of their research.

Note: For general Government Report citation errors, see How to Cite Government Report.

Frequently Asked Questions About The White House

Q: How do I identify and cite the author when citing a webpage from The White House website?

A: In APA format, when citing a webpage from The White House, the author is typically listed as "The White House." If a specific office or department within The White House authored the content, use that as the author (e.g., Office of the Press Secretary). Always follow this with the date of publication in parentheses.

Q: What is the best way to find the publication date when citing content from The White House website?

A: The publication date for content on The White House website is often found at the top or bottom of the page, near the title, or in a byline. If no specific date is available, use "n.d." for "no date" in the citation.

Q: How should I format the URL in my citation for a webpage from The White House?

A: Include the full URL of the specific page you are citing from The White House website at the end of your citation. Ensure the URL is active and accessible to your audience, and do not include a retrieval date unless the content is likely to change over time.

Q: Are there any special considerations for citing The White House website compared to other government reports?

A: Yes, The White House website may not always follow the same structure as other government reports. It's important to note the unique author format, which may be an office or department, and to verify the publication date as it can sometimes differ from traditional report formats. Always ensure the content is specific to The White House and not another government entity.

Q: Is it necessary to include a retrieval date for content cited from The White House website?

A: In APA 7th edition, a retrieval date is not required for stable, archived content on The White House website. However, if the content is likely to change or be updated, such as press releases or executive orders, include a retrieval date to indicate when you accessed the information.

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