How to Cite a Newspaper Article in APA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 06/10/2024

This guide focuses on how to cite newspaper articles in APA style, covering various scenarios including print, online, and comments on online articles.

CITATION ELEMENTS FOR A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

In APA style, citing a newspaper article involves providing essential information such as the contributor’s name, publication date, article title, and source details.

• Contributor: The contributor is the individual or group responsible for creating the article. When citing their name, list the last name first, followed by the first and middle initials. If there are multiple contributors, separate their names with commas and use “&” before the last person’s name. If the article is authored by an organization, simply write the full name of the organization instead of an individual’s name.
• Publication Date: Present the publication date in parentheses, following the author’s name. Use the format: year, month day.
• Article Title: Capitalize only the first word of the article title, along with any proper nouns or acronyms.
• Newspaper Title: Italicize the newspaper title and capitalize all major words.
• Page Numbers: For print versions, provide the page numbers after the newspaper title, without preceding them with “p.” or “pp.”
• URL: Include the URL if the article is sourced online. Ensure that the URL leads directly to the article and verify its accessibility for readers.

EXAMPLE CITATIONS FOR A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

CITING COMMENTS ON ONLINE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

When citing a comment on an online newspaper article, acknowledge the commenter as the author. Include the comment title or the first 20 words, followed by “Comment on the article” and the article title enclosed in square brackets. Provide a link to the comment if available.

Verify the Authorship: Before citing a newspaper article, ensure that you accurately identify the author(s) of the piece. Sometimes, articles may be attributed to a pseudonym, a collective, or an organization. Always attribute the authorship correctly to maintain the integrity of your citation. Include Page Numbers (if available): While APA guidelines state that page numbers are optional for newspaper articles retrieved online, if the article is sourced from a print version and page numbers are available, consider including them in your citation. Page numbers can aid readers in locating the specific information referenced within the article. When citing a print article, if page numbers are used, remember to place a comma after the publisher element before listing the page numbers, instead of a period. Consider the Source’s Reputation: When citing newspaper articles, take into account the reputation and credibility of the publication. While major newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post are widely recognized and respected, lesser-known or tabloid publications may not carry the same weight. Whenever possible, prioritize citing articles from reputable sources to enhance the credibility of your research.