How to Cite Vox in MLA 9 Format

What “Vox” is in MLA 9

Vox is a news and analysis website. In MLA 9th edition, you cite a Vox article the same way you cite most web articles. MLA calls this a “work on a website.” The key is to identify the specific page you used (the individual article), then name the website (Vox), then give publication details and the URL.

MLA 9 is built around a core idea, you cite what you actually used, in a consistent order, so your reader can find it quickly. Vox pages usually provide the information you need, such as the author, the article title, the date, and the URL.

The basic MLA 9 template for a Vox article

Works Cited format (most common)

Author. “Title of Article.” Vox, Publisher (often omitted), Date, URL. Accessed Date (optional).

For Vox, the publisher is usually the same as the website name, so you typically omit the publisher. MLA 9 says you include a publisher only if it is different from the website title and it helps identify who produced the site.

In text citation format

• Parenthetical: (Last Name)
• If you mention the author in your sentence: (or no parenthetical if clear)
• If there is no author: (“Shortened Title”)

Example patterns:
- (Lopez)
- (“How the Senate Works”)

Author rules for Vox citations (following your requirements)

These rules shape the first element of the Works Cited entry, which is crucial because it controls alphabetizing and helps readers recognize the source quickly.

One author

• Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
• Invert the author’s name: Last, First Middle.

Example format:
Lopez, German.

Two authors

• First author is inverted: Last, First Middle
• Second author is normal order: First Middle Last
• Use and between names.

Example format:
Lopez, German, and Emily Stewart.

Three or more authors

• List only the first author, inverted.
• Add et al. and do not list additional authors.

Example format:
Lopez, German, et al.

No author listed

• Start with the title of the article in quotation marks.
• Do not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
• For alphabetizing, ignore A, An, The, but keep them in the title as written.

Example format:
“Why the Supreme Court Matters.”

What to include for Vox, element by element

1. Author

Vox articles usually show the author near the headline. Use the name exactly as Vox presents it, but follow MLA name order rules.

Why it matters: The author is the primary way readers judge credibility and locate the source in your Works Cited list. Correct name formatting also ensures your entry sorts correctly.

2. Article title

Put the article title in quotation marks. Use the title exactly, including capitalization and punctuation, as closely as possible.

Why it matters: Vox publishes many pieces by the same author. The title distinguishes the exact article you used.

3. Website title

Italicize the website name: Vox.

Why it matters: The container, which is the website, tells readers where the article lives. In MLA, the container is a major locator.

4. Date

Use the publication date shown on the article page. MLA prefers day month year when available, for example, 3 May 2024. Vox sometimes shows only month and year, or year alone. Use what is provided.

Why it matters: News and analysis can change quickly. The date helps your reader understand the context and locate the correct version.

5. URL

Include the full URL. MLA 9 allows you to drop “https://” in many cases, but keeping it is acceptable. Be consistent.

Why it matters: The URL is often the fastest way for a reader to find the exact page you used.

6. Access date (often optional)

MLA 9 says an access date is optional, but recommended when content is likely to change, is undated, or is behind dynamic updates. Vox articles are usually stable once published, but access dates can still be helpful.

Why it matters: If the page changes, your access date clarifies when you viewed it.

Examples of correct Vox citations (with explanations)

Example 1, One author (typical Vox article)

Works Cited entry

Lopez, German. “The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion.” Vox, 12 Apr. 2024, https://www.vox.com/example-url.

What is happening here
- Lopez, German. is inverted because it is the first author, and the first name is written in full.
- The article title is in quotation marks.
- Vox is italicized because it is the website name.
- The date is placed after the website title.
- The URL ends the entry, followed by a period.

In text citation
- (Lopez)

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not write “G. Lopez.” MLA author names should not be reduced to initials under your rules, and initials make it harder for readers to identify the author clearly.

Example 2, Two authors (use “and,” second author not inverted)

Works Cited entry

Stewart, Emily, and Terry Nguyen. “Why Grocery Prices Still Feel So High.” Vox, 6 Feb. 2025, https://www.vox.com/example-url-2.

What is happening here
- The first author is inverted: Stewart, Emily
- The second author is normal order: Terry Nguyen
- The names are joined with and, which MLA uses for two authors.
- Everything else follows the standard web article structure.

In text citation
- (Stewart and Nguyen)

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not invert the second author, and do not use an ampersand. Write “and,” not “&.”

Example 3, No author listed (start with the title)

Works Cited entry

“How the Electoral College Works, Explained.” Vox, 18 Oct. 2020, https://www.vox.com/example-url-3. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

What is happening here
- No author appears, so the entry begins with the article title in quotation marks.
- Vox is still the container and is italicized.
- An access date is included, which is helpful if the page is updated or if you want to document when you consulted it.

In text citation
- (“How the Electoral College Works”)

Common pitfall to avoid
- Do not insert “Anonymous” as the author. MLA treats missing authors by moving the title into the author position.

Why these rules matter (in plain terms)

Consistency helps your reader

MLA is not just about rules for their own sake. A consistent structure lets a reader scan your Works Cited list quickly. When every entry starts the same way, with an author or title, your reader can locate the source with less effort.

Correct author formatting supports credibility

Full first names reduce confusion, especially when multiple writers share a last name. In academic writing, clarity about authorship is part of ethical attribution.

Proper ordering supports alphabetizing

Inverting the first author’s name is not cosmetic. It ensures your Works Cited list alphabetizes correctly by last name, which is the standard way readers search.

Practical tips for citing Vox accurately

Tip 1, Use the article page, not social media links

If you opened the article from X, Facebook, or Google News, switch to the Vox page and cite that URL. Social posts are separate sources and require different citation details.

Tip 2, Check for updated dates

Some Vox pages show “Updated” information. If the page clearly lists an updated date that reflects the version you used, cite the date that matches what you read. If it is unclear, cite the main publication date and consider adding an access date.

Tip 3, Keep titles exactly as written

Do not rewrite the headline to sound more academic. MLA expects the real title, because it is a locator.

Tip 4, Watch punctuation and italics

• Article title: quotation marks
• Website title: italics
• End each entry with a period
  These small details are easy to miss, but they help MLA citations look uniform and readable.

Common pitfalls specific to Vox citations

Pitfall 1, Treating Vox as the publisher and repeating it

Many students write something like “Vox, Vox Media.” In MLA 9, you generally omit the publisher if it matches the website or if it does not add clarity. If you do include a publisher in a different case, be consistent across your Works Cited.

Pitfall 2, Using initials for authors

Your rule requires full first names, and it also improves clarity. Avoid “E. Stewart” and write “Emily Stewart.”

Pitfall 3, Listing every author on multi author pages

If a Vox page lists many contributors, MLA allows shortening. Under your rule, for three or more authors, list the first author only, then add et al.

Pitfall 4, Missing the container

A Vox article is not just a title and a link. The container, Vox, signals the publication context and is a required part of the MLA web article pattern.

Quick formatting checklist

• Author present, start with Last, First Middle.
• Two authors, use and, second author normal order
• Three or more authors, use et al. after the first author
• No author, start with the article title
• Article title in “quotation marks”
• Website title in italics
• Include date and URL
• Add Accessed date if the page is likely to change or is undated

If you share a specific Vox URL, I can format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entry and the matching in text citation using your author rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Vox Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes Vox citations tricky in MLA 9

Vox is a digital news and analysis site, and its articles often change format, move behind updated URLs, or appear in multiple versions. MLA 9 is flexible about online sources, but you still need to make consistent choices so readers can find the exact item you used. Vox also publishes content types that create edge cases, such as explainers that get updated, articles with corporate bylines, videos hosted on YouTube but branded by Vox, and stories that appear under “Vox Staff” or similar labels.

The goal of MLA is not to “fill boxes.” It is to identify a source clearly, show where it lives, and document what you actually consulted. That is why details like author name form, dates, and URLs matter.

Core MLA 9 template for a Vox web article

Most Vox pieces can be cited as a work on a website:

Author. “Title of Article.” Vox, Publisher (optional if same as site), Day Month Year, URL. Accessed Day Month Year (optional, but useful for changing pages).

In practice, “Vox” functions as the website name. The publisher is often omitted because it is essentially the same entity, and MLA lets you omit it when it would be redundant.

Special case 1, Updated explainers and “last updated” pages

Vox explainers are frequently revised. You might see language like “Updated,” “Updated on,” or a page that clearly changes over time. This creates two common citation problems.

How to handle the date

• Use the date that appears on the page you consulted, especially if it says “Updated” or shows a more recent timestamp than the original publication date.
• If both an original date and an updated date appear, MLA practice usually favors the most relevant date for the version you read, which is often the updated date.

When to add an access date

MLA 9 does not require access dates for stable sources, but for a frequently updated Vox explainer, an access date is a practical safeguard. It tells your reader which version you saw.

Practical tip

If the page is clearly updated, consider saving a PDF or taking notes on the version date. MLA citations point readers to a source, but they do not preserve changing content.

Special case 2, Corporate or group bylines (no personal author)

Vox sometimes uses bylines like “Vox Staff,” “Vox,” or “Vox Editors,” or it may omit an author entirely. Your rules say that if there is no author, you start with the title.

Decide whether it is “no author” or a group author

• If the byline is a true group credited as author, like “Vox Staff,” you can treat it as the author element in MLA.
• If there is no byline at all, treat it as no author and start with the title.

Because your rule set emphasizes “NO AUTHOR: Start with title,” the safest approach for unclear cases is to start with the title unless the page clearly presents a group as the author.

Common pitfall

Do not invent an author. Do not use “Anonymous.” Also, do not move “Vox” into the author position unless the page explicitly credits Vox as the author.

Special case 3, Multiple authors and MLA name formatting rules

Vox articles sometimes have two authors, or an author plus a contributor. Your rules require:
- Full first names, not initials.
- First author inverted.
- Two authors use “and,” second author not inverted.
- Three or more authors use “et al.” after the first author only.

Why this matters

MLA Works Cited entries are alphabetized, so inverting the first author’s name helps the list function as a finding tool. Using full first names avoids confusion between writers with similar surnames, and it respects author identity.

Practical tip

Check the byline carefully. Some Vox pages show one author at the top but list additional contributors elsewhere. MLA’s author slot should reflect the credited author(s) of the piece itself, not necessarily everyone on a topic page.

Special case 4, Vox videos, podcasts, and content hosted on other platforms

Vox content is often distributed on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or social platforms. If you watched the video on YouTube, you should usually cite the YouTube page, not the Vox article that embeds it, because that is the container you used.

How to choose the “container”

• If you read the article on Vox, Vox is the container.
• If you watched a Vox video on YouTube, YouTube is the container.
• If you listened to a Vox podcast episode in a podcast app, the podcast platform entry is your container, and the show title is another container element depending on how you structure the citation.

Common pitfall

Do not cite a Vox embed page if you never used it. Cite what you actually consulted.

Special case 5, Missing elements (no date, no page numbers, paywall-like behavior)

Vox articles typically have dates, but occasionally a page may not display one clearly, or the date may be hard to locate on mobile.

• No page numbers is normal for web sources. MLA does not require them.
• If no date is present, MLA allows you to omit the date rather than inserting “n.d.” Your rules explicitly say not to use “n.d.”
• If the URL is extremely long, MLA allows you to shorten it if it still works. Do not remove essential parts that break the link.

Practical tip

Look for the date near the headline, near the author name, at the top of the page, or in the page metadata snippet when sharing. If you genuinely cannot find it, omit it and consider adding an access date.

Examples with explanations (MLA 9, using your name rules)

Example 1, Standard Vox article with one author

Works Cited entry

German Lopez. “Title of the Vox Article.” Vox, 15 Mar. 2024, https://www.vox.com/xxxxx.

Why it is formatted this way
- The author is listed as Lopez, German in MLA style. Your rule requires full first name, so “German” is written out.
- The article title is in quotation marks.
- Vox is italicized as the website name.
- The publication date is Day Month Year.
- The URL ends the entry. An access date is optional here if the page is stable.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Do not write “Lopez, G.” or any initial.
- Do not italicize the article title. Only the website name is italicized.

Example 2, Two authors (apply “and,” second author not inverted)

Works Cited entry

O’Donoghue, Maureen and Nicole Narea. “Title of the Vox Article.” Vox, 2 Feb. 2024, https://www.vox.com/xxxxx.

Why it is formatted this way
- The first author is inverted: O’Donoghue, Maureen.
- The second author is in normal order: Nicole Narea.
- “and” connects the two authors, as your rules require.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Do not invert the second author.
- Do not use an ampersand.

Example 3, No author (start with title), and an updated explainer (use access date)

Works Cited entry

“Title of the Vox Explainer.” Vox, 10 May 2025, https://www.vox.com/xxxxx. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Why it is formatted this way
- There is no author listed, so the entry begins with the title in quotation marks.
- The date reflects the version shown on the page, which might be an “Updated” date.
- The access date is included because explainers can change. It helps a reader understand which version you used.

Common pitfalls to avoid
- Do not put “Anonymous” in the author slot.
- Do not use “n.d.” if the date is missing. Omit the date instead, and consider adding “Accessed.”

Practical checklist for citing Vox correctly

[1] Confirm what you used

Did you read a Vox web article, watch a Vox video on YouTube, or listen to a Vox podcast episode in an app. Cite the version you actually consulted.

[2] Capture the byline accurately

Use full first names. Invert only the first author. Use “and” for two authors. Use “et al.” for three or more authors.

[3] Treat updates carefully

If the piece is an explainer or shows “Updated,” use the date that matches the version you read. Add an access date when the content is likely to change.

[4] Do not force missing information

If there is no author, start with the title. If there is no date, omit it and consider adding an access date. MLA values accuracy over guessing.

[5] Keep formatting consistent

Quotation marks for article titles, italics for Vox. End with a working URL.

Why these rules matter

These details are not cosmetic. They help your reader locate the exact Vox piece, distinguish between similar stories, and understand which version you relied on, especially for updated explainers. They also protect your credibility. A Works Cited list that follows consistent rules signals that your research is careful, and it reduces confusion when sources are time-sensitive and frequently revised.

If you share a specific Vox URL, I can format the exact MLA 9 Works Cited entry for it and point out any special-case choices, such as updates, missing dates, or platform hosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Vox article in MLA 9 format?

In MLA 9, a Vox article citation usually starts with the author, then the article title in quotation marks, the website name in italics, the publisher (often omitted if it matches the site name), the publication date, the URL, and an access date if your instructor requests it. Practical example: you are citing a Vox explainer you read online for a research essay. Your Works Cited entry might look like: Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Vox, Day Month Year, https://www.vox.com/.... In your paper, cite it like (Last Name) or (Last Name page) if a page number exists, which is uncommon online. If there is no author, start with the title. For a deeper checklist and examples, see the MLA Works Cited guidance: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/ and URL best practices: https://style.mla.org/urls/.

What if a Vox article has no author listed, how do I cite it in MLA?

If a Vox page does not list an author, MLA 9 tells you to begin the Works Cited entry with the article title. This is common with brief news updates, sitewide pages, or interactive explainers. Scenario: you use a Vox page titled “What is the electoral college?” but there is no byline. Your entry starts: “What Is the Electoral College?” Vox, Day Month Year, URL. In your in text citation, use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks, for example (“What Is the Electoral College?”). Avoid using “Anonymous” unless Vox explicitly labels it that way. Also check for a hidden author in the page header, footer, or “About this story” area. For more on missing authors and title first entries, consult MLA’s quick guide: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite a Vox article that was updated, should I use the published date or updated date?

Use the date that best represents the version you consulted. Vox often shows both an initial publication date and an updated timestamp. If the page clearly states “Updated,” you can cite the updated date because it reflects the content you read. Scenario: you quote a paragraph that appears in the updated version of a policy explainer, so you list the updated date in the Works Cited entry. If both dates matter to your argument, you can mention the update in your prose, for example, “The article was updated on 10 Oct. 2024.” MLA allows flexibility, but your goal is traceability. Include the full URL and, if your instructor prefers, add an access date since online content changes. For date and version guidance, see MLA’s core elements overview: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite a Vox video or Vox YouTube clip in MLA 9?

First identify where you watched it. If the video is on Vox’s site, cite it as a web page with a video, using the title, the site name Vox, the date, and the URL. You can add a descriptor like “Video” at the end if it helps clarify the format. If you watched the Vox video on YouTube, cite YouTube as the container. Scenario: you use a Vox video embedded on YouTube for a media analysis. A Works Cited entry can start with the video title in quotation marks, then “YouTube,” the channel name (often Vox), the upload date, and the URL. In text, cite the title or creator. For detailed MLA video models, see MLA’s guide to citing videos: https://style.mla.org/citing-videos/.

How do I cite a quote from a Vox article in MLA in-text citations if there are no page numbers?

Most Vox articles do not have stable page numbers, so MLA in text citations typically use the author’s last name only, for example (Lopez). If there is no author, use a shortened title in quotation marks, for example (“Title of Article”). Scenario: you quote two sentences from a Vox report in your argument paragraph. You place the parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence containing the quote. If you need more precision, you can cite a section heading in your prose, or use a paragraph count only if your instructor allows it, since MLA does not require paragraph numbers for web pages. Always make sure the Works Cited entry has the full URL so readers can locate the passage. For in text citation rules and examples, see: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/.

Do I need to include the full URL and an access date when citing Vox in MLA 9?

MLA 9 recommends including URLs for online sources when they help readers find the work, which is almost always true for Vox. Use the cleanest URL you can, and remove tracking parameters when possible. Scenario: you copied a Vox link from social media that includes “utm_source” and other tags, you should delete those extras and keep the main address. Access dates are optional in MLA, but they are useful when content is likely to change, when there is no publication date, or when your instructor requires them. If you include an access date, place it at the end, for example, “Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.” For MLA’s recommendations on URLs and access dates, see https://style.mla.org/urls/ and the general Works Cited guide: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

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