APA in text newspaper citation helps readers locate articles quickly while maintaining academic integrity. This guide explains how to format newspaper references accurately within your text.
Use these core principles to cite both print and online newspaper stories without confusion. The following sections break down rules, examples, and common pitfalls.
| Element | Print Newspaper | Online Newspaper | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author Format | Last, F. M. | Last, F. M. | Use up to 20 authors, then use ellipsis |
| Date in Text | (Last, Year) | (Last, Year) | Year alone if sentence already names author |
| Article Title | Capitalize only first word | Capitalize only first word | Italicize in reference list, not in text |
| Newspaper Title | Italicize and capitalize major words | Italicize and capitalize major words | Abbreviations like NYT allowed if standard |
| Section or DOI | Section in brackets if needed | Direct URL or DOI preferred | Prefer stable permalink over homepage |
Basics of In Text Newspaper Citation APA
Author Name and Publication Year
In text citations for newspapers focus on the author and year, not page numbers. Place the last name and year in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
When you mention the author in the sentence, include only the year in parentheses immediately after the name. This keeps the flow natural while giving proper credit.
Newspaper articles rarely have page numbers in digital formats, so omit them unless your style guide specifies otherwise for print sources.
Multiple Authors and Ellipsis Rule
For two authors, list both names every time in the citation. For three or more authors, use the first author followed by et al. after the first citation.
Always verify the exact formatting in the latest APA manual, as updates may change how group authorship and et al. appear in text.
Formatting Print Newspaper References
Capitalization and Italics Rules
Print citations require the article title in sentence case, the newspaper title in title case and italics, and the newspaper city followed by the publisher if required.
Do not bold or add extra formatting to the newspaper title beyond italics, and avoid using subscription database labels such as PubMed or Academic Search Complete in the reference.
Pagination and Section Details
If the article appears in a specific section, include the section label in brackets before the newspaper title. For continuous pagination, list only the starting page.
When access details are unnecessary, focus on clarity by presenting the article and newspaper information succinctly without redundant descriptors.
Formatting Online Newspaper References
URL, DOI, and Permalink Strategy
Use a direct URL to the article or a DOI for online newspapers. Choose the most stable link available, and remove session IDs or tracking parameters when possible.
Do not label the link as URL or link in the reference, and avoid mentioning that you accessed the article through an interface or database.
Retrieval Dates and Version Control
Retrieval dates are usually unnecessary for online newspapers unless the content is likely to change over time, such as constantly updated stories.
When citing a version with a publication date different from the web posting date, include both dates in the correct order to prevent confusion.
Best Practices for Newspaper Citation in Academic Writing
- Prefer direct URLs or DOIs for online sources to ensure long term access.
- Verify author names and article titles against the original page to avoid typos.
- Use sentence case for article titles and title case for newspaper titles consistently.
- Check with your instructor or publisher for any specific newspaper citation variations.
- Keep citation entries concise by omitting unnecessary labels or database names.
FAQ
Reader questions
How should I cite a newspaper article with no author in APA?
Start the in text citation with the article title in quotation marks and the year. In the reference list, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title and list the year after the title.
What do I do when the newspaper merges or renames during publication?
Use the name in effect at the time of publication. If necessary, add the original name in brackets after the current name to maintain clarity for readers locating archival issues.
Should I include volume or issue numbers in in text citations for newspapers?
No, in text citations for newspapers typically include only the author and year. Volume and issue numbers appear only in the reference list when they help identify the article.
How do I handle articles with no publication date online?
Use n.d. for no date in both the in text citation and the reference entry. If the article is time sensitive, consider adding a retrieval date in the reference list.