How to Cite The New Yorker in MLA 9 Format

How to cite The New Yorker articles in MLA 9 format

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What an MLA 9 citation for The New Yorker should do

An MLA 9 Works Cited entry is designed to help a reader quickly answer four questions:

Who made it?
What is it called?
Where was it published?
How can I find it?

When you cite The New Yorker, you are usually citing one of these source types:

An article on The New Yorker website (most common)
An article from the print magazine (accessed in print, a database, or a PDF)
A piece without a named author (for example, a brief staff item)

MLA 9 uses a “core elements” approach, which means you include the elements you have, in a consistent order, and you leave out elements you cannot confirm. Your goal is clarity and retrievability, not forcing every citation into a rigid template.

Core MLA 9 pattern for The New Yorker

Most common, an online article on The New Yorker website

Use this order:

Author. “Title of Article.” The New Yorker, Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Notes:
- The article title is in quotation marks.
- The magazine or website title, The New Yorker, is italicized.
- Include the full date if available.
- Include a URL without “https://” if you want, MLA allows either, but be consistent.
- Add an access date if the page is likely to change, if no publication date is shown, or if your instructor requires it.

Print issue article (or a PDF that reproduces the print pages)

Use this order:

Author. “Title of Article.” The New Yorker, Day Month Year, pp. xx-xx.

Notes:
- Page numbers matter for print because readers can locate the piece quickly.
- If you accessed the print issue through a database, you can add the database name and a stable link, but do not add unnecessary clutter if the citation is already easy to retrieve.

Author rules you must follow (and why they matter)

Your rules emphasize author identity and consistent alphabetizing. That matters because the Works Cited list is a map. If names are inconsistent, the map becomes harder to use.

One author

Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
Invert the first author’s name.

Format:
- Last, First Middle.

Why it matters:
- Inversion supports alphabetical ordering by last name.
- Full first names reduce confusion when multiple writers share a last name or initials.

Two authors

First author is inverted.
Second author is in normal order.
Use and between names.

Format:
- Last, First Middle, and First Last.

Why it matters:
- This keeps the Works Cited list alphabetized by the first author while still presenting the second author in a readable way.

Three or more authors

List only the first author, inverted, then add et al.
Do not list additional authors before et al.

Format:
- Last, First Middle, et al.

Why it matters:
- It avoids long, hard to scan entries while still crediting the group.

No author

Start with the title.
Ignore “A,” “An,” and “The” for alphabetization, but keep the title’s wording as printed.

Why it matters:
- Many magazine items are staff written or unsigned. MLA’s solution is simple, start with the title so the entry is still findable.

Example 1, single author, online article (with explanation)

Works Cited entry (correct MLA 9 format)

Gopnik, Adam. “Why We Still Read Jane Austen.” The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024, www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-commentary/why-we-still-read-jane-austen. Accessed 20 May 2024.

Why each part is there

Gopnik, Adam. The author’s name is inverted and uses a full first name.
“Why We Still Read Jane Austen.” Article title is in quotation marks because it is a short work within a larger publication.
The New Yorker, The container (the publication) is italicized.
15 Apr. 2024, The publication date helps readers identify the exact article version.
www.newyorker.com/... The URL is the direct path to the article.
Accessed 20 May 2024. Helpful for web content, especially if updates occur or if the date is unclear.

Practical tip

If the page shows an “Updated” date, you can use the date that best matches what you read. If both “Published” and “Updated” appear, choose the publication date unless your instructor prefers the update date. If you cite information that appears only after an update, use the updated date.

Example 2, two authors, online article (with explanation)

Works Cited entry (correct MLA 9 format)

Larson, Erik, and Margaret Talbot. “The Long Shadow of Prohibition.” The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2023, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/03/the-long-shadow-of-prohibition. Accessed 10 Feb. 2023.

Why this follows your author rules

Larson, Erik, and Margaret Talbot. The first author is inverted. The second author is not inverted. The word and connects them.
Everything after the names follows the same container, date, and location logic as Example 1.

Common pitfall to avoid

Do not write: “Erik Larson and Margaret Talbot.” in Works Cited. MLA requires the first author to be inverted so the entry alphabetizes correctly.

Example 3, no author, online article (with explanation)

Works Cited entry (correct MLA 9 format)

“Letter from the Editor.” The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/08/letter-from-the-editor. Accessed 12 Jan. 2024.

Why this is correct

There is no author listed, so the entry begins with the title in quotation marks.
The container is still The New Yorker.
The date and URL make it retrievable.

Alphabetizing note

In your Works Cited list, alphabetize this entry by Letter, not The. You still keep the title exactly as it appears, you just ignore initial articles for ordering.

Special cases you may run into with The New Yorker

If the article is from the print magazine but you read it online

Treat what you used as the version you are citing. If you used the web page, cite the web page with a URL. If you used a PDF that reproduces print pages, include page numbers.

If you used a database (EBSCO, ProQuest, Gale)

You can add a second container after the first container details.

General pattern:
Author. “Title.” The New Yorker, Date, pp. xx-xx. Database Name, URL or DOI.

Use a stable link when possible. If the database link is extremely long and unstable, use a DOI if available, or use the magazine’s stable URL if your instructor allows it.

If there is a section label like “Culture” or “News”

You usually do not need to include the site section in the Works Cited entry. The key elements are author, title, container, date, and URL.

Why these rules matter in real writing

Reader trust: Accurate names and dates signal careful research.
Easy verification: A reader should be able to find your exact source without guessing.
Fair credit: Full first names help identify the correct writer and respect authorship.
Consistency: Consistent formatting makes your Works Cited list easier to scan, grade, and use.

Practical tips and common pitfalls

Tips

Copy the article title exactly, including subtitles, and keep the same capitalization style you use across your paper.
Look for the publication date near the headline or at the top or bottom of the article page.
Use the cleanest URL you can. Remove tracking parameters if present.
Keep a record of your access date when you first read the article.

Common pitfalls

Using initials: Do not write “A. Gopnik.” Use “Adam Gopnik.”
Forgetting inversion: The first author must be “Last, First,” not “First Last.”
Listing all authors for three or more: Follow your rule, first author only, then et al.
Missing the container: Do not leave out The New Yorker. It tells the reader where the article lives.
Wrong title formatting: Article titles go in quotation marks. The New Yorker is italicized.

Quick checklist for a correct The New Yorker MLA 9 Works Cited entry

Author uses full first name, first author inverted.
Correct author handling for 2 authors (and) and 3+ authors (et al.).
Article title in quotation marks.
The New Yorker italicized as the container.
Publication date included when available.
URL included for online articles.
Access date included when useful or required.
No em dashes used in formatting or punctuation.

If you tell me whether your source is from the website, print, or a database, and you paste the article link or details, I can format your exact Works Cited entry using your author rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for The New Yorker Citations

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Before submitting your The New Yorker citation, verify:

Author names MUST use full first names, not initials. In MLA 9, the emphasis is on full names to provide clarity and respect for the author's identity. The first author's name is inverted (Last, First Middle), while subsequent authors in two-author works use normal order (First Last).
First author name MUST be inverted (Last, First Middle). This applies to all source types and is the standard opening format for MLA citations. The inversion facilitates alphabetical ordering in the Works Cited list.
For TWO authors: use 'and' between names (second name NOT inverted). The word 'and' is preferred in MLA for its formality and readability.
For THREE OR MORE authors: use 'et al.' after first author only. Do not list additional authors before 'et al.' This simplifies lengthy author lists while maintaining proper attribution. The first author must still use full first name, not initials.
NO AUTHOR: Start with title (ignore 'A', 'An', 'The' for alphabetization). Do not use 'n.d.' or 'Anonymous'. The title becomes the first element and should maintain proper formatting (quotes for short works, italics for complete works).
ALL titles MUST use Title Case (capitalize all major words). This includes articles, books, websites, and all other sources. Title Case means capitalizing the first and last words, and all principal words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). Articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions are lowercase unless first or last word.
Shorter works use QUOTATION MARKS: Article titles, chapter titles, web page titles, poems, short stories, episodes. These are works that are part of a larger container. Quotation marks indicate the work is not standalone.
Complete works use ITALICS: Book titles, journal names, website names, films, TV series. These are standalone, self-contained works that serve as containers for shorter works. Italics indicate independence and completeness.
Do NOT use both italics AND quotation marks on same title. This is redundant and incorrect. Choose one based on whether the work is shorter (quotes) or complete (italics).
Date placement: AFTER publisher, BEFORE page numbers/URL. The date follows the publisher in the publication sequence.

Special Cases

Special cases and edge cases when citing The New Yorker in MLA 9

Citing The New Yorker is usually straightforward, but real assignments often involve tricky situations, such as unsigned pieces, online-only pages that keep changing, cartoons, podcasts, and items that appear both in print and on the website. MLA 9 is flexible, but it still expects you to be consistent and to include enough information so a reader can find the exact item you used.

Below are the most common special cases and edge cases, with practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and examples that follow your author name rules.

Core idea to keep in mind

MLA citations answer two questions:

What did you use, for example, an article, a podcast episode, a cartoon.
Where can someone find it, for example, print issue details, a stable URL, a database, or a permalink.

For The New Yorker, “where” can be the print magazine, the website, an app, or a database like Gale or EBSCO. Your citation should match the version you actually consulted.

Author name edge cases

Two authors, three or more authors

The New Yorker sometimes publishes coauthored pieces, especially reported features and collaborative projects.

Two authors: Invert the first author only, then use and with the second author in normal order.
Three or more authors: List the first author inverted, then add et al. Do not list the remaining authors.

Why this matters: MLA Works Cited entries are alphabetized by the first element. Inverting the first author standardizes sorting and helps readers locate the entry quickly.

No author, staff-written, or “The New Yorker” as a label

Many items on The New Yorker site are effectively unsigned, or they may appear under a column label rather than a person’s name. MLA’s rule is simple: If there is no individual author credited, start with the title. Do not invent an author and do not use “Anonymous.”

Practical tip: Look carefully near the headline and at the top or bottom of the page. If the page lists an individual writer, use that name. If it lists only a section name or nothing, treat it as no author.

Common pitfall: Using “The New Yorker” as the author when the site does not credit a person. In MLA, the magazine title is typically the container, not the author, unless the publication is explicitly functioning as a corporate author, which is uncommon for magazine articles.

Print vs. website vs. database versions

If you used the print issue

For print, you usually include:

Author
“Title of article”
The New Yorker
Date of issue
Page range

If the pages are discontinuous, list the first page, then a plus sign, for example, 34+.

If you used the website

For the website, you usually include:

Author (if credited)
“Title of page or article”
The New Yorker
Publication date (as listed)
URL

MLA does not require “https://” to be removed, but consistency matters. Use the URL as it appears, and prefer a clean, stable link.

If you used a database

If you accessed The New Yorker through a library database, cite the database as a second container. Include the database name and a stable link or accession number if available.

Why this matters: A reader who has access through the same library can retrieve the item through the database more reliably than through the open web.

Common pitfall: Citing the website when you actually read the database PDF. The database version can have different pagination and sometimes different metadata.

Dates, updates, and missing information

Updated pages and multiple dates

Some New Yorker pages show an original publication date and an updated date. Use the date that best matches the version you read.

If the page clearly labels “Updated,” you can use the updated date because it reflects the current form of the content.
If you are discussing the historical moment of publication, the original date may be more relevant, but do not guess. Use what the page provides.

Practical tip: If your argument depends on when the piece first appeared, mention that context in your prose, and still cite the page accurately.

No date listed

If a page truly has no date, MLA allows you to omit the date. Do not insert “n.d.” Instead, focus on the elements you do have, especially the title, container, and URL.

Common pitfall: Adding a date based on when you accessed the page. Access dates are optional in MLA 9 and are best used when content is likely to change or when no date is available.

Titles and containers for The New Yorker

Article title formatting

Articles, essays, reviews, blog posts, and web pages use quotation marks.
The magazine name The New Yorker is italicized as the container.

Section pages and tag pages

Avoid citing a section landing page or a tag archive if you are using a specific article. Cite the specific article page whenever possible.

Why this matters: Landing pages change over time, which makes your source hard to verify.

Special formats: cartoons, covers, podcasts, and videos

Cartoons and covers

A cartoon can be cited as a work on a web page. If there is a cartoon title, use it. If there is no title, you can describe it in plain text in place of a title, without quotation marks, and keep it brief and specific.

Practical tip: For cartoons, credit the cartoonist if named. The New Yorker frequently credits cartoonists clearly.

Podcasts and videos

If The New Yorker hosts audio or video, treat it as an episode or a web video. Include the episode title in quotation marks, the program name in italics if it functions as the container, then the publisher or site, date, and URL.

Common pitfall: Confusing the episode title with the series title. The episode is usually the “source,” and the series is the container.

Example 1, standard online article with one author

Works Cited entry

Gopnik, Adam. “Why We Still Need the Novel.” The New Yorker, 15 May 2023, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-commentary/why-we-still-need-the-novel.

Why this formatting is correct
- Author: Full first name is used, and the first author is inverted, “Gopnik, Adam.”
- Title: The article title is in quotation marks because it is part of the larger magazine.
- Container: The New Yorker is italicized.
- Date: Uses the publication date shown on the page.
- URL: Provides a direct path to the article.

Practical tip
If the URL is extremely long with tracking parameters, remove the extra tracking parts if the page still loads correctly. Keep the stable core link.

Example 2, two authors, print magazine with page range

Works Cited entry

Smith, John Michael, and Maria Lopez. “Inside the Race to Regulate A.I.” The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024, pp. 42-49.

Why this formatting is correct
- Two authors: The first author is inverted, “Smith, John Michael,” and the second author is normal order, “Maria Lopez,” joined by and.
- Print container details: The date identifies the issue, and the page range helps a reader find it in print.
- No URL: Not needed for a print source.

Common pitfalls
- Do not invert the second author’s name.
- Do not use initials for first names. Spell out full first names as required.

Example 3, no author credited, start with the title

Works Cited entry

“The Weekend Essay: What We Owe Our Public Libraries.” The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2022, https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-weekend-essay/what-we-owe-our-public-libraries.

Why this formatting is correct
- No author: The entry begins with the title in quotation marks.
- Container: The New Yorker remains the container in italics.
- Date and URL: Provide a clear retrieval path.

Why the rule matters
Starting with the title prevents you from crediting the wrong person and keeps your Works Cited honest and easy to verify.

Practical tips and common pitfalls checklist

Tips

Cite the version you actually used, print, website, or database.
Prefer the specific article page over section landing pages.
Use an access date only when the content is likely to change or when no date is provided.
Double-check author credit lines, especially for columns and recurring features.

Common pitfalls

Using initials instead of full first names.
Inverting the second author in a two-author work.
Listing all authors when there are three or more, instead of using “et al.”
Treating The New Yorker as the author when no person is credited.
Citing a homepage, tag page, or search results page instead of the article itself.

Why these rules matter

MLA rules are not just formatting habits. They help your reader verify sources, respect authorship, and follow your research trail. With The New Yorker, the most important edge cases involve missing authors, multiple versions, and non-article media. If you handle those carefully, your citations will be accurate, consistent, and easy for others to use.

If you tell me which format you are citing, print article, website article, database PDF, cartoon, podcast, or video, I can give you a tailored template that matches that exact case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
Reading Time: 10 minutes

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