Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to cite a news article for a school paper or a blog post and felt totally lost? Don't worry, you're not alone! Citing sources, especially in MLA format, can seem daunting, but it's super important to give credit where it's due and avoid plagiarism. Plus, it adds credibility to your work. This guide will walk you through how to cite a news article using the MLA 9th edition format. Let's break it down step by step so you can nail those citations every time!

Understanding MLA 9th Edition

Before diving into citing news articles specifically, let's quickly cover what MLA 9th edition is all about. MLA stands for Modern Language Association, and they set the standard for formatting and citing sources in the humanities. The 9th edition is the most recent version, released in 2021, and it aims to be more flexible and user-friendly than previous editions. The core principle is to guide researchers in documenting sources clearly and consistently, allowing readers to easily find the original material.

The MLA 9th edition emphasizes a simplified approach by focusing on a core set of elements that apply to almost all types of sources. These elements are often referred to as the "MLA core elements" and include:

1. Author: Who wrote the article?
2. Title of Source: What's the title of the article?
3. Title of Container: What publication is the article in (e.g., The New York Times)?
4. Other Contributors: Were there any editors, translators, or other significant contributors?
5. Version: Is this a specific version of the work, like an edition?
6. Number: Is the source part of a numbered sequence, like a journal issue?
7. Publisher: Who published the source?
8. Publication Date: When was it published?
9. Location: Where can the source be found (e.g., page numbers, URL)?

Understanding these core elements is crucial because they form the foundation of every MLA citation, regardless of the source type. Keep these in mind as we move forward!

Why Accurate Citations Matter

So, why bother with all this citation stuff? Well, accurate citations are essential for several reasons. First and foremost, they give credit to the original author or creator of the work. It's about acknowledging their intellectual property and hard work. Imagine if someone used your work without giving you credit – not cool, right?

Secondly, citations help you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism can lead to failing grades, expulsion from school, or even legal consequences. By properly citing your sources, you demonstrate that you've done your research and are presenting your own analysis and ideas, supported by credible sources.

Thirdly, citations add credibility to your work. When you cite your sources, you're showing your readers that you've done your homework and that your arguments are based on reliable information. This makes your work more persuasive and trustworthy. Think of it as building a solid foundation for your arguments.

Finally, citations allow your readers to find the original sources themselves. This is especially important for academic research, where readers may want to verify your claims, explore your sources further, or build upon your work. Clear and accurate citations make this process easy and efficient.

Basic Format for Citing a News Article in MLA 9

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of citing a news article. The basic format for citing a news article in MLA 9th edition is as follows:

Author, First Name Last Name. "Title of Article." *Title of Newspaper/Website*, Date of Publication, URL (if online). 

Let's break down each component:

1. Author: Start with the author's name. List the last name first, followed by a comma, and then the first name. If there are multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the article. For the second author onwards, use the format "First Name Last Name."

   Example: Smith, John.

2. Title of Article: Next, provide the title of the article in quotation marks. Capitalize the first letter of the first word, the last word, and all principal words.

   Example: "New Study Reveals Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee."

3. Title of Newspaper/Website: Then, include the title of the newspaper or website where the article was published. Italicize the title. If the article is from a website that is not a newspaper (e.g., a news blog), use the name of the website.

   Example: The New York Times

4. Date of Publication: Provide the date the article was published in the format Day Month Year (e.g., 15 June 2024). Abbreviate months with more than four letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.).

   Example: 15 June 2024

5. URL (if online): If the article was accessed online, include the URL at the end of the citation. Remove the https:// part of the URL.

   Example: www.nytimes.com/2024/06/15/health/coffee-benefits.html

Examples of MLA 9 Citations for News Articles

Okay, now that we've covered the basic format, let's look at some examples to help you get a better grasp of how to cite news articles in MLA 9th edition.

Example 1: Online News Article with an Author

Smith, John. "New Study Reveals Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee." *The New York Times*, 15 June 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/06/15/health/coffee-benefits.html.

In this example, we have an online news article written by John Smith and published in The New York Times. The citation includes the author's name, the article title, the newspaper title, the publication date, and the URL.

Example 2: News Article with No Author

Sometimes, news articles don't have a specific author listed. In this case, you start the citation with the title of the article.

"City Council Approves New Park Project." *The Washington Post*, 10 July 2024, www.washingtonpost.com/local/2024/07/10/city-council-park-project/.

Here, the article "City Council Approves New Park Project" is from The Washington Post, and there is no author listed. The citation starts with the article title, followed by the newspaper title, publication date, and URL.

Example 3: News Article from a Database

If you accessed the news article through a database like LexisNexis or ProQuest, you should include the database name and the permalink (if available).

Jones, Alice. "Local Business Booms Despite Economic Downturn." *The Wall Street Journal*, 22 Aug. 2024, ProQuest, www.proquest.com/docview/123456789.

In this case, Alice Jones wrote an article in The Wall Street Journal that was accessed through ProQuest. The citation includes the author, article title, newspaper title, publication date, the database name (ProQuest), and the permalink.

Example 4: News Article with Multiple Authors

When an article has multiple authors, list them in the order they appear in the article. For the second author onwards, use the format "First Name Last Name."

Brown, Emily, and David Lee. "Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Communities." *The Guardian*, 5 Sept. 2024, www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/09/05/climate-change-coastal-communities.

Here, Emily Brown and David Lee co-authored an article in The Guardian. The citation lists both authors in the order they appear in the article.

In-Text Citations

In addition to creating a Works Cited page, you also need to include in-text citations within your paper. In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that point to the full citation on your Works Cited page. The most common form of in-text citation in MLA format is the author-page number style.

Author-Page Number Style

When using the author-page number style, include the author's last name and the page number(s) where the information can be found in parentheses. If you mention the author's name in your sentence, you only need to include the page number(s) in the parentheses.

Example:

According to Smith, coffee has surprising health benefits (25).

If there is no author, use the title of the article in quotation marks.

Example:

The new park project has been approved by the city council ("City Council Approves" A2).

Citing Multiple Works by the Same Author

If you are citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation to distinguish between the works.

Example:

(Smith, "Coffee Benefits" 25)

Tips for Citing News Articles Accurately

To ensure your citations are accurate and consistent, keep these tips in mind:

1. Double-Check Your Information: Always verify the author's name, article title, publication date, and URL. Typos and errors can make it difficult for readers to find your sources.

2. Use a Consistent Format: Follow the MLA 9th edition guidelines consistently throughout your paper. Consistency is key to maintaining credibility.

3. Use Citation Management Tools: Consider using citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically. These tools can save you time and reduce the risk of errors.

4. Consult the MLA Handbook: If you're unsure about any aspect of MLA citation, consult the official MLA Handbook or the MLA Style Center website. These resources provide comprehensive guidance on all aspects of MLA formatting and citation.

5. Be Mindful of Different Source Types: Remember that the format for citing news articles may differ slightly from the format for citing other types of sources, such as books, journal articles, or websites. Pay attention to the specific guidelines for each source type.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To help you avoid common pitfalls, here are some mistakes to watch out for when citing news articles in MLA 9th edition:

1. Forgetting to Italicize the Title of the Newspaper/Website: Always italicize the title of the newspaper or website where the article was published.

2. Omitting the URL: If the article was accessed online, be sure to include the URL at the end of the citation.

3. Using the Wrong Date Format: Use the correct date format (Day Month Year) and abbreviate months with more than four letters.

4. Not Including In-Text Citations: Remember to include in-text citations within your paper to give credit to your sources and avoid plagiarism.

5. Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your paper, including spacing, punctuation, and capitalization.

Conclusion

Citing news articles in MLA 9th edition might seem tricky at first, but with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it. Just remember to follow the basic format, pay attention to detail, and use the resources available to you. By citing your sources accurately and consistently, you'll not only avoid plagiarism but also add credibility to your work. Keep this guide handy, and you'll be citing news articles like a pro in no time! Happy citing, everyone!