How to Cite a Newspaper Article in APA Format (7th Edition)
Complete guide to citing newspaper articles in APA 7. Covers online and print articles, editorials, op-eds, and news websites.
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Understanding Newspaper Citation Format in APA Style
Citing sources correctly is crucial for academic writing, particularly in the social sciences. The APA (American Psychological Association) style provides a clear structure for citing various types of sources, including newspapers. This guide will explain how to format newspaper citations according to the APA 7th edition and highlight the importance of following these rules.
Author Formatting
In APA style, the format for author names is consistent across all reference types. This uniformity helps maintain clarity and order in your reference list.
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Single Author: The author's last name is followed by a comma and then their initials. For example, if the author's name is John Smith, it would be formatted as Smith, J.
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Two Authors: Both authors' names should be inverted. The first author's name is followed by a comma and their initials, and the second author's name follows with an ampersand (&). For example, if the authors are John Smith and Jane Doe, the correct format is Smith, J., & Doe, J.
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More than Two Authors: For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the final author. For example, if there are 25 authors, it would look like this: Smith, J., Doe, J., Brown, A., Green, B., White, C., Black, D., ... Taylor, E. This rule allows for a concise citation while still providing necessary attribution.
Date Formatting
The date is an essential component when citing newspapers, as timely information is often critical for news articles. The format for dates in newspaper citations is Year, Month Day.
- For example, if an article was published on March 15, 2023, it would be cited as 2023, March 15.
This practice replaces the older APA format that used parentheses for dates, simplifying the citation while retaining specificity.
Title Formatting
The title of the article should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title, the first word after a colon, and any proper nouns are capitalized. The title should be italicized, followed by the name of the newspaper in title case and not italicized.
- Example: A sample citation might look like this: Smith, J. (2023, March 15). Understanding the impacts of climate change. The Daily News.
Formatting the Citation
Putting it all together, a complete newspaper citation in APA format would follow this structure:
Author Last Name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Title of the Newspaper. URL
Here is a full example:
Smith, J. (2023, March 15). Understanding the impacts of climate change. The Daily News. https://www.dailypress.com/climate-change
Why These Rules Matter
Following the APA citation format is essential for several reasons:
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Academic Integrity: Proper citations give credit to the original authors and help avoid plagiarism. This practice is fundamental in maintaining the credibility of academic work.
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Reader Navigation: Consistent formatting allows readers to locate sources more easily. When citations are uniform, it reduces confusion and enhances comprehension.
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Professionalism: Adhering to citation rules reflects a professional approach to writing. It shows that the author respects the work of others and values scholarly communication.
Practical Tips for Citing Newspapers
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Double-check Author Names: Ensure that you have the correct spelling of authors' names and that you format them according to APA rules. Small errors can lead to significant issues in your work.
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Use Reliable Sources: When citing newspapers, opt for reputable publications. This practice adds credibility to your research.
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Include URLs: In the digital age, providing a URL for online articles is crucial. It allows readers to access the source directly.
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Pay Attention to Dates: Since newspaper articles are time-sensitive, always include the complete and correct date in your citations.
Common Pitfalls
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Forgetting to Italicize: A common mistake is neglecting to italicize the newspaper title. Always ensure that the title is properly formatted.
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Incorrect Date Format: Remember to use the Year, Month Day format for newspaper articles. Misplacing the order can lead to confusion.
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Omitting Necessary Information: Every element of the citation is important. Ensure that you include all required information, such as the author, title, publication date, and URL.
Conclusion
Citing newspapers correctly in APA format is vital for academic writing. By following the outlined rules, you ensure that your citations are clear, consistent, and professional. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for formatting newspaper citations, helping you navigate the intricacies of APA style effectively. Remember, proper citation practices not only enhance the credibility of your work but also contribute to a culture of academic integrity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
What You Need
- A newspaper article that you want to cite.
- Access to the author’s name, the title of the article, the name of the newspaper, the publication date, and the URL (if applicable).
- A computer or notebook to write down your citation.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Newspaper Citation in APA 7th Edition
1. Identify the Author(s) of the Article
- Action: Locate the author’s name at the beginning of the article. This is usually found above or below the headline.
- Verification: Ensure that you have the full name of the author. If there are two authors, both names should be noted.
- Estimated Time: 1 minute.
- Tip: If the article has multiple authors, check if they are listed in a specific order; this can be important for your citation.
2. Format the Author’s Name
- Action: Write the author's last name first, followed by a comma, then the initials of the first and middle names (if available). For example, if the author is John Smith, write it as Smith, J. If there is a middle name, such as John Andrew Smith, it should be Smith, J.A.
- Verification: Ensure that the initials are separated by periods and that there are no spaces between them.
- Estimated Time: 2 minutes.
- Tip: Double-check if the author has any suffixes like Jr. or III, as these should be included following the initials.
3. Determine the Title of the Article
- Action: Find the title of the article. This is typically the bold or larger text directly above the article's content.
- Verification: Make sure to write down the title exactly as it appears, including proper capitalization.
- Estimated Time: 1 minute.
- Tip: Article titles in APA should be in sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.
4. Identify the Newspaper Name
- Action: Look for the name of the newspaper, which is usually prominently displayed at the top of the page or in the article header.
- Verification: Confirm you have the correct name and that it is italicized in your citation.
- Estimated Time: 1 minute.
- Tip: If the article is part of a larger publication, make sure you are citing the newspaper rather than a specific section.
5. Find the Publication Date
- Action: Locate the publication date of the article. This is often found near the author’s name or at the top of the article.
- Verification: Ensure that the date is in the correct format: Year, Month Day (e.g., 2023, October 5).
- Estimated Time: 2 minutes.
- Tip: If the article is online, check the website for additional publication details if they are not included in the article itself.
6. Include the URL (if applicable)
- Action: If you accessed the article online, copy the URL. This should be included at the end of your citation.
- Verification: Ensure the URL is complete and does not have any broken links or errors.
- Estimated Time: 1 minute.
- Tip: Use a reliable source to access the article, as some URLs may change over time.
7. Combine All Elements into the APA Format
- Action: Put all the elements together in the following format: Author, A.A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Newspaper Name. URL
- Verification: Check for proper punctuation and formatting, including italics for the newspaper name.
- Estimated Time: 2 minutes.
- Tip: Use a template or a citation generator to streamline this process if you are unsure about formatting.
8. Review Your Citation
- Action: Read through your citation to ensure accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and formatting.
- Verification: Compare your citation with examples from the APA Manual or reliable online resources.
- Estimated Time: 2 minutes.
- Tip: Consider getting a second opinion from a peer or using citation tools to check for errors.
By following these steps, you will be able to create a correct newspaper citation in APA format. Remember to practice with various articles to enhance your citation skills and ensure accuracy.
Common Errors for Newspaper Citation Citations
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget that proper nouns are always capitalized regardless of case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify all proper nouns in the title including names of people
- Ensure names of places, organizations, and institutions are capitalized
- Capitalize specific geographic names and locations mentioned
- Maintain capitalization of brand names and historical events referenced
Students forget that subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes
How to Avoid It:- Locate all colons in the title that separate main title from subtitle
- Capitalize the first word immediately following each colon without exception
- Apply sentence case or title case rules to remaining subtitle words appropriately
- Ensure subtitle capitalization matches the type of title case being used
Students don't know when acronyms should be in all capitals versus following sentence case rules
How to Avoid It:- Identify well-known acronyms like CDC, NASA, APA, FBI that are widely recognized
- Keep these acronyms in all capitals regardless of sentence case rules
- For lesser-known acronyms, follow standard usage or title case rules
- Check if acronym is commonly written in all caps in professional contexts
Students partially apply rules but are inconsistent, mixing sentence and title case
How to Avoid It:- Choose correct case type for the source type first
- Apply rules consistently throughout the entire title without exception
- Double-check all words against the chosen case rules
- Review title for consistent application of capitalization throughout
Students focus on sentence case rules but forget the basic rule to always capitalize the first word
How to Avoid It:- Always capitalize the first word of any title without exception
- This applies regardless of sentence case or title case formatting used
- Check the very first character of the title for proper capitalization
- Ensure first word is capitalized even if it's a minor word type
Students extend italics beyond appropriate boundaries or apply them inconsistently
How to Avoid It:- Review italics boundaries carefully in citation formatting
- Italicize only titles and volume numbers in reference lists
- Keep all other elements like publisher location in plain text
- Ensure italics start and stop at appropriate points
Students omit periods after initials, especially when multiple initials are present
How to Avoid It:- Add period after each initial in author name formatting
- Ensure all initials have periods following them consistently
- Check that no initials are missing periods in reference lists
- Verify spacing between initials with periods is correct
Students space initials like regular words, not realizing they should be compact
How to Avoid It:- Remove spaces between initials in author name formatting
- Keep initials together without spacing between them
- Maintain periods after each initial without extra spacing
- Check that initials appear as M.K. not M. K. in citations
Students focus on the year in parentheses but forget the period after closing parenthesis
How to Avoid It:- Add period after closing parenthesis of year in citations
- Ensure year is in parentheses followed by period consistently
- Check that year information is complete with proper period
- Verify spacing between year period and title is correct
Students focus on internal punctuation but forget the citation must end with a period
How to Avoid It:- Add period at the very end of the citation reference
- Ensure citation ends with proper punctuation consistently
- Check that no citation is missing final period in reference list
- Verify that final period is not preceded by extra spacing
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Validation Checklist
Before submitting your Newspaper Citation citation, verify:
- In APA 7th edition, single authors are formatted with last name followed by a comma and first and middle initials. The initials should be separated by periods but not spaces. This format applies to all reference types including journal articles, books, and webpages. The author's name should be inverted (last name first) in the reference list only. This rule ensures consistency across all citation formats and makes alphabetical ordering more efficient in reference lists.
- For works with two authors, both names should be inverted (last name first) and separated by an ampersand (&) rather than the word 'and'. Each author's name follows the single author format (Last name, initials). The ampersand should be preceded by a comma. This format is used in both reference lists and parenthetical citations, but narrative citations use 'and' instead of '&'. This rule distinguishes APA from other citation styles and maintains consistency across multi-author works.
- For works with 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (...), then list the final author. The ellipsis replaces authors 20 through the second-to-last author. All listed authors follow the standard inverted format. This rule prevents extremely long citation lists while still providing key attribution information. The ellipsis should not be italicized or bracketed. This change from APA 6th edition's 7+ author rule provides more comprehensive author listing.
- Author titles, suffixes, and credentials (like Jr., Sr., II, III, Ph.D., M.D.) should be included in the reference list. Suffixes like Jr., Sr., II, and III follow the initials, separated by commas. Academic and professional credentials are generally omitted from reference list entries but may be included in special circumstances. Titles like Dr., Professor, or military ranks are not included in reference list citations. This rule provides complete identification when needed while avoiding unnecessary credential inflation.
- For sources that require more specific dating than just the year, use Year, Month Day format. This applies to newspapers, magazines, blog posts, social media posts, and some online sources where the specific date is important for locating the source. The month should be spelled out, followed by the day number without ordinal suffixes. This format replaces the APA 6 practice of including (Year, Month Day) for these source types, simplifying the reference format while maintaining specificity.
- Article titles in APA 7 references should use sentence case, meaning only the first word of the title, the first word of the subtitle (after a colon), and proper nouns are capitalized. This applies to journal articles, magazine articles, and newspaper articles. The rule emphasizes natural language capitalization rather than the more formal title case used for book and journal titles. Subtitles are treated as separate sentences for capitalization purposes.
- Journal and periodical titles use title case in APA 7 references. All major words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) are capitalized, while minor words (articles, short prepositions, conjunctions) are lowercase unless they are the first or last word of the title or subtitle. This rule applies to journal names, magazine titles, and newspaper titles in reference list entries.
- When including URLs for websites, online documents, or other sources without DOIs, present them as live hyperlinks without any special formatting or punctuation. APA 7 removes the 'Retrieved from' prefix that was required in APA 6 for most URLs. URLs should be presented in their simplest form, beginning with http:// or https://, and should be hyperlinks in digital documents. Do not add a period at the end of a URL unless it is part of the original URL. This simplification makes citations cleaner while maintaining functionality for digital access to sources.
- When a URL or DOI leads to a broken or inactive link, APA 7 provides several options for handling the citation. If the source is available through an archive like the Internet Archive, include the archived URL. If the source cannot be located, include as much information as possible and note that the resource is no longer available. For journal articles with broken DOIs, include the DOI but add a note indicating it's inactive. The principle is to provide enough information for readers to locate the source if possible, while acknowledging access limitations. This represents more detailed guidance than APA 6 provided for handling broken links.
Special Cases
Understanding Special and Edge Cases in APA Newspaper Citations
When citing newspapers in APA 7th edition, it is essential to adhere to specific formatting rules and guidelines. These rules ensure clarity and consistency in academic writing. While the general citation format is straightforward, special cases and edge cases can arise. This guide will detail these variations, providing examples and practical tips for accurate citations.
Basic Format for Newspaper Citations
The basic format for a newspaper citation in APA is as follows:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Title of the Newspaper. URL
For example:
Smith, J. A. (2023, October 15). The impact of climate change on coastal cities. The Daily News. https://www.dailynews.com/impact-climate-change
Special Cases in Newspaper Citations
1. Multiple Authors
When citing articles with multiple authors, ensure you follow the correct format for two or more names. For two authors, both names should be inverted, separated by an ampersand.
Example:
Jones, L. M., & Taylor, R. B. (2023, October 14). Renewable energy trends. The Green Journal. https://www.greenjournal.com/renewable-energy
In this case, both authors are properly cited, ensuring that their contributions are credited equally.
2. Articles with 21 or More Authors
If a newspaper article has 21 or more authors, you must list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name. This approach prevents overly long citations while maintaining appropriate credit.
Example:
Anderson, P. Q., Brown, T. J., Carter, S. R., Davis, K. M., Evans, L. N., Green, D. O., Hall, M. R., Johnson, R. T., King, A. J., Lee, H. P., Martin, E. J., Nelson, O. S., Owens, Q. S., Parker, V. T., Roberts, W. U., Smith, Y. P., Taylor, Z. W., White, A. D., ... Young, B. C. (2023, October 10). Future of urban transportation. The City Times. https://www.citytimes.com/future-urban-transportation
This format helps keep citations concise while ensuring that the relevant authors are recognized.
Edge Cases in Newspaper Citations
1. No Author Listed
In cases where an article does not list an author, begin the citation with the title of the article. The title of the newspaper should still follow it.
Example:
Climate change awareness rises among youth. (2023, October 10). The National Newspaper. https://www.nationalnewspaper.com/youth-awareness
Starting with the title emphasizes the content, which is particularly crucial when no author is available.
2. Specific Dates
For articles that require more specific dating than just the year, use the Year, Month Day format. This is especially important for newspapers, magazines, and online articles.
Example:
Green, T. (2023, October 15). The future of electric vehicles. The Auto Journal. https://www.auto-journal.com/electric-vehicles
This format allows readers to locate the article accurately, especially when time-sensitive information is involved.
Importance of Following Rules
Adhering to these citation rules is critical for several reasons. First, consistent formatting helps maintain clarity in academic writing. When readers encounter citations, they should quickly understand the source's credibility and context. Second, proper citation practices lend authority to your work, showing that you respect intellectual property and contribute to the academic conversation.
Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls
- Check for Author Information: Always verify if the article has an author listed. If not, start with the article title.
- Use the Correct Date Format: Remember to use the Year, Month Day format and spell out the month to ensure clarity.
- Double-Check Author Names: For multiple authors, ensure you are using the correct format with ampersands and proper inversion.
- Be Mindful of Length: If citing articles with many authors, remember to use ellipses correctly to avoid overwhelming your reader with names.
- Avoid Omitting Necessary Details: Ensure you include all relevant information, such as the URL, especially for online articles.
Conclusion
Citing newspaper articles in APA format requires attention to detail and an understanding of specific rules for different authorship scenarios. By following these guidelines and being aware of special cases, you can create accurate citations that enhance the quality of your academic writing. Always strive for clarity and consistency to ensure your work is accessible and easy to verify for your readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a newspaper article in APA format?
To cite a newspaper article in APA format, you generally need to include the author's last name, first initial, the publication date, the title of the article in sentence case, the name of the newspaper in italics, and the URL if accessed online. The basic format is: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Title of the Newspaper. URL. For example: Smith, J. (2023, October 1). New trends in urban gardening. The Daily News. http://www.dailynews.com/newtrends. If the article does not have a DOI, include the URL instead. For more detailed guidelines, you can refer to the official APA Style website.
What if there is no author listed for the newspaper article?
If there is no author for a newspaper article, you should start the citation with the title of the article. The format would then look like this: Title of the article. (Year, Month Day). Title of the Newspaper. URL. For example: Rising temperatures prompt new climate policies. (2023, October 1). The Daily News. http://www.dailynews.com/climate. In cases where the article is a brief or a piece of news, it is still important to provide the title so that readers can easily locate the source. You can find further information on this subject in the APA Publication Manual.
How do I cite an online newspaper article that does not have a print version?
When citing an online-only newspaper article, you should follow the same format as you would for a print article. Include the author's name, publication date, article title, newspaper name in italics, and the URL. For instance: Doe, J. (2023, October 1). Innovations in renewable energy. The Green Times. http://www.greentimes.com/renewableenergy. It is important to note that the inclusion of the URL is crucial for online sources, as it directs readers to the article. For more examples and details, you can visit the APA Style website.
How do I cite a newspaper article that is part of a larger collection or anthology?
When citing a newspaper article that appears in a collection or anthology, you should treat it like a chapter in an edited book. Format it as follows: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of the anthology (pp. xx-xx). Publisher. For example: Jones, R. (2023, October 1). The impact of social media on youth. In T. Smith (Ed.), Contemporary issues in communication (pp. 45-60). Academic Press. This format acknowledges both the original article and the collection it appears in. For more information, consult the APA Publication Manual.
What do I do if the article title is in a different language?
If the article title is in a different language, you should still include the title in its original language. Additionally, provide a translation in brackets immediately after the original title. The citation format remains the same. For example: García, M. (2023, October 1). La sostenibilidad en el siglo XXI [Sustainability in the 21st century]. El Mundo. http://www.elmundo.com/sostenibilidad. This way, readers who do not understand the original language can still grasp the content's essence. For further guidance, refer to the APA Style website.
How do I handle a newspaper article with multiple authors?
When citing a newspaper article with multiple authors, you should list all authors in the order they appear in the article. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. For example: Brown, A., Johnson, B., & Lee, C. (2023, October 1). Community gardens: A growing trend. The Urban Gazette. http://www.urbangazette.com/communitygardens. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the final author's name. This ensures that all contributors are credited appropriately. For more details, consult the APA Publication Manual.
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Reading Time: 10 minutes
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