How to Cite Slate in MLA 9 Format

What “Slate” Is in MLA 9

Slate is an online magazine. In MLA 9th edition, you usually cite Slate articles as works on a website. That means your Works Cited entry typically includes:

1. Author (if given)
2. Title of the article in quotation marks
3. Website name in italics (Slate)
4. Publisher (often omitted for websites when it is the same as the site name)
5. Publication date
6. URL
7. Access date (optional, but recommended if the page is likely to change)

Most Slate pieces have a clear author, a page title, a date, and a stable URL, so they fit MLA’s standard web citation pattern very well.

Core Works Cited Format for a Slate Article

Standard pattern (most common)

Author Last, First Middle. “Title of Article.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

Notes:
- The article title is in quotation marks.
- The site name Slate is in italics.
- MLA 9 prefers the most specific date available (day month year).
- MLA allows URLs without https://, but including it is fine. Be consistent.
- MLA does not require “http://” or “https://”, but many instructors accept either approach.

Author Rules You Must Follow (and Why They Matter)

Your rules change how the author element is handled. These rules matter because the author name is what MLA uses for alphabetizing the Works Cited list and for crediting the writer clearly.

1) Use full first names, not initials

Why it matters: Full first names reduce confusion and better identify the author. Initials can blur identities, especially when multiple writers share a last name.

• Preferred: Hess, Amanda.
• Not preferred under your rules: Hess, A.

If Slate lists only an initial or a shortened name, you should still follow your guide’s rule. Use the fullest version you can verify from the article page, author bio page, or a reliable source.

2) First author name must be inverted

Why it matters: MLA inverts the first author so Works Cited entries can be alphabetized by last name.

Format: Last, First Middle

Example structure: Doe, Jane Alicia.

3) Two authors, use “and”, second author not inverted

Why it matters: MLA uses “and” to clearly show joint authorship. Only the first name is inverted because the entry is alphabetized by the first author’s last name.

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

4) Three or more authors, use “et al.” after the first author only

Why it matters: This keeps citations readable. MLA allows shortening long author lists while still giving primary credit.

Format:
Last, First Middle, et al.

Do not list the second and third authors before et al. under your rules.

5) No author, start with the title

Why it matters: When no author is given, MLA treats the title as the first element. This keeps the Works Cited list consistent and still allows alphabetizing.

Format:
“Title of Article.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

Also, for alphabetizing, ignore A, An, and The at the start of the title.

Dates, URLs, and Optional Elements for Slate

Publication date

Slate usually provides a date near the headline. Use it as:
Day Month Year (for example, 14 Mar. 2024).

• If only a year is shown, use the year.
• If a month and year are shown, use both.

URL

Use the direct link to the article. MLA recommends removing tracking parameters when possible, because they are messy and sometimes break.

Good:
- https://slate.com/.../article-title.html

Avoid if possible:
- URLs with long strings after a question mark, such as ?utm_source=...

Access date (optional but useful)

MLA 9 says access dates are optional, but they are helpful when:
- the page changes over time,
- the content is updated without clear version history,
- you are using a cached or reposted page.

If you include an access date, add it at the end:
Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Example 1, One Author (Most Common Slate Citation)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Hess, Amanda. “The Internet Is Rotting Our Brains.” Slate, 14 Mar. 2024, https://slate.com/technology/2024/03/internet-attention-brain-article.html.

Why this is correct

• Hess, Amanda. follows your rule, full first name, first author inverted.
• The article title is in quotation marks.
• Slate is italicized as the website name.
• The date is placed after the site name.
• The URL ends the citation, followed by a period.

Practical tip

If the page shows an updated timestamp and an original publication date, use the date that best matches the version you read. If the page changes often, add an access date.

Example 2, Two Authors (Use “and”, Second Author Not Inverted)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

Thompson, John Michael, and Sarah Elizabeth Kim. “Why Cities Are Rethinking Public Transit.” Slate, 6 Sept. 2023, https://slate.com/business/2023/09/cities-public-transit-funding.html.

Why this is correct

• First author is inverted: Thompson, John Michael
• Second author is normal order: Sarah Elizabeth Kim
• “and” connects the names, as required.
• Everything after the authors follows the standard Slate web article pattern.

Common pitfall to avoid

Do not invert the second author. This is a frequent mistake.
- Incorrect: Thompson, John Michael, and Kim, Sarah Elizabeth.

Example 3, No Author Listed (Start with Title)

Works Cited entry (correct formatting)

“How to Talk About Climate Anxiety.” Slate, 22 Apr. 2022, https://slate.com/technology/2022/04/climate-anxiety-mental-health-advice.html.

Why this is correct

• No author is present, so the title moves to the first position.
• The title is in quotation marks because it is a web page or article, not a whole website.
• Slate remains italicized as the container.
• The entry is alphabetized by the first important word of the title, so it would be filed under “How”, not under “The” or “A”.

Practical tip

If an author name is missing on the article page, check whether Slate lists an author near the top, in a byline, or at the end. If there truly is no author, do not invent one and do not use “Anonymous”.

Why These Rules Matter Beyond Formatting

They support accurate credit

Using full first names and correct ordering helps readers identify who wrote the piece, especially when names are common.

They make your Works Cited list usable

MLA’s inverted first author format is not just tradition. It is what makes alphabetizing consistent, so readers can quickly find sources.

They prevent confusion in research

Rules for two authors and for et al. reduce clutter while still keeping citations clear. Readers can tell whether a piece is solo written, coauthored, or produced by a larger team.

Practical Tips for Citing Slate Smoothly

• Copy the title carefully, including punctuation, but do not copy it in all caps.
• Use the article’s exact publication date as shown on Slate.
• Clean the URL by removing tracking codes if you can.
• Be consistent with access dates. Either use them for all web sources or only when needed, depending on your instructor’s preference.
• Double-check author names on Slate’s author page if the byline is abbreviated.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Using initials instead of full first names, which violates your guide’s rule.
• Inverting the second author in a two author citation.
• Listing all authors for three or more authors, instead of using et al. after the first author.
• Forgetting italics for Slate. The website name is the container, and it must be italicized.
• Using the wrong title formatting, the article title should be in quotation marks, not italics.
• Leaving out the date when it is available.

Quick Template You Can Reuse

One author

Last, First Middle. “Article Title.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

Two authors

Last, First Middle, and First Middle Last. “Article Title.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

Three or more authors

Last, First Middle, et al. “Article Title.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

No author

“Article Title.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL.

If you want, paste a specific Slate link and I will format the Works Cited entry using your exact rules, including full first names and the correct author handling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Slate Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

Overview, what makes Slate citations tricky in MLA 9

Slate articles look straightforward, but they produce several special cases in MLA 9 because Slate pages often include changing URLs, multiple page versions, content updates, embedded media, and occasional missing or unclear authorship. MLA 9 is flexible, but that flexibility means you must make careful choices so your reader can reliably find the exact item you used.

In MLA 9, a Slate article is usually treated as a work on a website. The core pieces are: Author, “Title of Article,” Website Name, Publisher (often omitted for websites when it is the same as the website name), Publication date, URL. You add an access date only when it helps, for example when the page is likely to change, when there is no date, or when you used a page that updates.

Your additional rules about author names matter a lot for Slate because Slate pages sometimes show abbreviated names, staff labels, or multiple contributors. Using full first names, inverting the first author, and applying the two author and three plus author rules consistently keeps your Works Cited clean and easy to alphabetize.

Author edge cases on Slate

One author, but Slate displays a shortened name

Slate sometimes shows a byline that looks like an initial or a shortened form. Your rule requires full first names, so you should expand the name when you can verify it from a reliable source, for example the author bio page on Slate, an official profile, or a consistent usage across the site.

Practical tip: If you cannot verify the full first name confidently, do not guess. In that situation, it is safer to reproduce the byline as shown, but your rule set asks for full first names, so the best practice is to confirm via the author bio.

Two authors

Use both names, first author inverted, second author in normal order, with “and” between them.

Common pitfall: Inverting both names. MLA inverts only the first author in the Works Cited entry.

Three or more authors

Use only the first author, inverted, then add “et al.” Do not list the remaining authors.

Common pitfall: Listing all authors or listing the first two and then “et al.” Your rule requires first author only, then “et al.”

“Staff” bylines and unclear authorship

Slate sometimes uses labels like “Slate Staff,” “Slate,” or a section team. If a group name is truly the author, you can use it as the author. If there is no author at all, MLA says start with the title.

Practical tip: If the page lists editors, producers, or fact checkers but no author, do not treat those roles as the author unless the page clearly presents them as the creators of the work.

Date and update edge cases

Updated articles

Slate pages may show “Updated” times or may change without clearly marking updates. MLA 9 prefers the publication date you can see on the page. If the page clearly lists an update date that is meaningful to your use, you can include it by citing the date given on the page. MLA does not require you to record every update, but you should help your reader locate the version you used.

Practical tip: If the article is time sensitive or frequently revised, include an access date. Access dates are especially helpful for political commentary, live blogs, and explainers that evolve.

Missing date

If there is no publication date, MLA allows you to omit the date. Your rules say do not use “n.d.” In that case, include an access date to show when you consulted the page.

Common pitfall: Inserting “n.d.” or making up a date from a comment timestamp or social share date.

Title and container edge cases

Standard Slate article

The article title is in quotation marks. The website name, Slate, is italicized as the container.

Columns, series, and recurring features

Slate has recurring features and columns. In MLA terms, the website is still the container. A column name can sometimes be treated as a second container element if it helps identify the piece, but do not overcomplicate the citation. If the column is prominently presented and helps locate the item, you may include it after the website name as an additional element.

Practical tip: Prioritize what helps retrieval. If the URL and site name are enough, keep it simple.

URL edge cases, paywalls, tracking, and unstable links

Clean URLs versus tracking parameters

Slate links are often shared with tracking codes, for example parameters like ?via=... or ?utm_source=.... MLA 9 generally prefers a stable, clean URL. Remove tracking parameters when possible, as long as the cleaned URL still works.

Common pitfall: Copying a long, messy URL with tracking strings. It looks unreliable and can break.

Alternative versions and AMP pages

You might land on an AMP version or a syndicated version. Prefer the canonical Slate URL when possible because it is more stable and easier for readers to recognize.

Paywalls and restricted access

If your reader might not access the page, MLA still uses the URL. If you accessed it through a library database that provides Slate content, you may need to cite the database version instead of the open web version. The key is to cite what you actually used.

Multimedia and embedded content in Slate pages

Slate pages often embed podcasts, videos, or interactive graphics. If you are citing the embedded media itself, cite the media as the source, not just the page that contains it. If you are citing the article text that accompanies the embed, cite the article.

Practical tip: Ask yourself what you are quoting or relying on. If it is a podcast episode, cite the episode. If it is a written article that includes a player, cite the article.

2 to 3 examples with detailed explanations

Example 1, standard Slate article with one author and a clean URL

Works Cited format
Smith, John Michael. “Why Cities Are Rewriting Zoning Rules.” Slate, 12 Mar. 2024, https://slate.com/business/2024/03/cities-zoning-rules-policy.html.

Why this is correct
- Author: The first author is inverted, “Smith, John Michael,” and the first name is written in full, which supports your rule and helps distinguish authors with similar last names.
- Title: The article title is in quotation marks, which is correct for a work that is part of a larger website.
- Container: Slate is italicized as the website name.
- Date: The publication date is included in day month year format.
- URL: A clean URL is provided without extra tracking parameters.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Using “J. M. Smith” instead of “John Michael Smith.”
- Putting Slate in quotation marks instead of italics.
- Including a long URL with utm_ tracking codes.

Example 2, two authors, plus an access date for a page that updates

Works Cited format
Garcia, Maria Elena, and Thomas Andrew Lee. “What the New Polling Methods Miss.” Slate, 5 Oct. 2023, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/polling-methods-accuracy.html. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Why this is correct
- Two authors: The first author is inverted, “Garcia, Maria Elena,” and the second author is in normal order, “Thomas Andrew Lee,” joined by “and.” This matches your two author rule exactly.
- Access date: Included because political analysis and polling pages can be revised, and the access date tells the reader when you saw the content.
- Everything else: Title in quotation marks, Slate italicized, date included, URL included.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Writing “Garcia, Maria Elena, Lee, Thomas Andrew” which incorrectly inverts the second author.
- Omitting the access date when the page is clearly updated or likely to change.
- Using only the month and year when a full date is available.

Example 3, no author listed, start with the title, and include access date if needed

Works Cited format
“Inside the Supreme Court’s New Term.” Slate, 2 Sept. 2022, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/09/supreme-court-new-term-preview.html. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Why this is correct
- No author: The citation starts with the title in quotation marks. MLA allows this when no author is provided, and your rule explicitly says to start with the title and not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
- Alphabetizing: In your Works Cited list, you would alphabetize by “Inside,” not by “The,” “A,” or “An.” Here the title begins with “Inside,” so no adjustment is needed, but the rule still matters.
- Access date: Helpful if the page has been edited, moved, or if the author information is missing and might later appear.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Starting with “Slate” as if it were the author when no author is listed.
- Adding “n.d.” when the date is missing. Instead, omit the date and use an access date.

Why these rules matter, clarity, fairness, and retrieval

• Full first names reduce confusion. Slate has many contributors, and last names repeat. Full names help readers and graders identify the correct person.
• Inverting only the first author supports consistent alphabetizing. Works Cited entries are meant to be scanned quickly. Inversion makes that possible.
• Using “et al.” for three plus authors keeps citations readable. It prevents very long entries while still crediting the lead author.
• Handling missing authors and dates honestly builds trust. MLA prefers transparency. If information is not available, you omit it rather than inventing it.
• Clean URLs and access dates improve retrieval. Slate pages can move, update, or load differently on different devices. These choices help your reader find what you used.

Practical checklist for citing Slate, quick but reliable

• Confirm the author’s full first name using the Slate bio page if needed.
• Apply the correct author rule, one author, two authors with “and,” three plus authors with “et al.”
• Use the article title in quotation marks, and italicize Slate.
• Use the publication date shown on the page. If none is shown, omit it and add an access date.
• Remove tracking parameters from URLs when possible.
• Add an access date when the page is likely to change, has no date, or has unclear version history.
• Cite embedded media separately if you are using the media itself rather than the surrounding article text.

If you want, paste one or two Slate URLs you are using, and I will format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entries under your author name rules, and point out any page specific edge cases like updates, missing authors, or unusual containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Slate article in MLA 9 for my Works Cited page?

To cite a Slate article in MLA 9, start with the author’s name, then put the article title in quotation marks. Next, italicize the website name, Slate, followed by the publisher, which is usually “The Slate Group” (include it only if it is listed and not the same as the site name). Add the publication date, the URL, and an access date only if your instructor requires it or the content is likely to change. Practical scenario, if you used a Slate politics analysis in a research paper, your entry will look like: Lastname, Firstname. “Title of Article.” Slate, Day Month Year, URL. If there is no author, begin with the title. If there is no date, omit it. For MLA rules and examples, see the MLA Works Cited guidance: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/ and MLA web page formatting tips: https://style.mla.org/citing-websites/.

How do I do an in-text citation for a Slate article if there are no page numbers?

MLA in-text citations for web articles like those on Slate usually use the author’s last name in parentheses, because page numbers are not available. Example, if the author is Jamelle Bouie, you can write: (Bouie). If you name the author in the sentence, you only need the parenthetical element that remains, often nothing at all, for example, Bouie argues that the policy creates unintended effects. If there is no author, use a shortened version of the article title in quotation marks, for example: (“Why We Keep Arguing”). Practical scenario, you quote one sentence from a Slate culture piece, you would place the citation right after the quote and before the period. If you cite a specific part like a section heading, you can mention it in your prose. For more help, see MLA in-text citation basics: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations-the-basics/.

What if the Slate article has no author, or it lists a username instead of a real name?

If a Slate article has no listed author, MLA 9 tells you to start the Works Cited entry with the article title in quotation marks. Then italicize Slate, add the date, and include the URL. If Slate lists a username, use it only if it is clearly presented as the author name on the page. If it looks like a staff label or a generic tag, treat the article as having no author. Practical scenario, you cite a short news brief credited to “Slate Staff” or no byline at all. In that case, begin with the title and omit the author element. In your in-text citation, use a shortened title in quotation marks. Keep the title wording and capitalization consistent with the page. For authoritative guidance on missing authors and how to begin entries, see the MLA Works Cited quick guide: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite a Slate podcast episode or an audio clip in MLA 9?

For a Slate podcast episode, cite the episode title in quotation marks, followed by the podcast title in italics. Then list the relevant contributors, such as the host or narrator, using labels like “hosted by” or “narrated by” if they are important to your discussion. Add the publisher, often Slate, the date, and the URL for the episode page. Practical scenario, you analyze an argument made in a Slate podcast about technology. Your entry might include the host because the host frames the discussion and asks key questions. In-text citations typically use the episode title in shortened form if there is no single author. If you quote a specific moment, include a time stamp in your prose, for example, At 12:35, the host states that. For MLA guidance on citing audio and podcasts, see: https://style.mla.org/citing-a-podcast/.

How do I cite a Slate YouTube video or an embedded video on Slate in MLA 9?

If you watched the video on YouTube, cite the video as a YouTube source, even if Slate produced it. List the creator or channel name, the video title in quotation marks, the website name in italics, YouTube, the upload date, and the URL. If you watched an embedded video on a Slate page that is hosted elsewhere, use the host platform as the container when it is clear. Practical scenario, you quote a line from a Slate produced interview that appears on the Slate YouTube channel. Your Works Cited entry should use the YouTube container and your in-text citation should use the creator name or a shortened title if needed. If you only reference the Slate article that discusses the video, cite the Slate article instead. For MLA video examples, see: https://style.mla.org/citing-videos/.

Do I need to include an access date for Slate, and what if the article was updated?

In MLA 9, access dates are optional for most stable web sources, but they are recommended when content is likely to change, when there is no publication date, or when your instructor requires it. Slate articles sometimes show an update time or a note like “Updated” near the top. If an update date is provided and it is relevant to your use, cite the date shown on the page, and you can mention in your prose that the article was updated. Practical scenario, you rely on a breaking news piece that changed after publication. Including an access date helps document what you consulted. Your entry can end with “Accessed Day Month Year” if you include it. If both an original and updated date appear, use the date that corresponds to the version you used, or describe the update in your text. For MLA guidance on optional elements like access dates, see: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

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