Newspapers

Introduction

Let’s review how to cite newspapers using the Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.).

Although newspapers are usually cited only in a footnote, we have also provided examples of bibliographic entries. In addition to the specific examples below, do check out the section on newspaper titles for some of the more finicky rules.

Newspapers

Newspaper Article

The standard citation format for newspaper articles includes the author’s name, article title, newspaper, and date:

1. Robert Saddleback, “Ponying Up: The Rising Costs of Miniature Horses,” Silver Saloon Tribune, August 5, 2017.

Saddleback, Robert. “Ponying Up: The Rising Costs of Miniature Horses.” Silver Saloon Tribune, August 5, 2017.

Online Article

If you’re citing an online article, add a URL (or a database title if that’s all you can find):

1. Johnny Crestwood, “All LA Traffic Lights Now Give Priority to High Income Earners,” Malibu Sentinel, Jan. 25, 2019, https://www.malibusentinel.com/lalaland/traffic-lights/.

Crestwood, Johnny. “All LA Traffic Lights Now Give Priority to High Income Earners.” Malibu Sentinel, Jan. 25, 2019. https://www.malibusentinel.com/lalaland/traffic-lights/.

Editorial

If an editorial doesn’t have a title, cite it as follows:

1. Sarah Flimshank, editorial, Claptown Gazette, June 14, 2011.

Flimshank, Sarah. Editorial. Claptown Gazette, June 14, 2011.

If it does have a title, you can still add the word “editorial” for clarification:

1. Esther Smallwood, “We Endorse Oprah for President,” editorial, Statesman Times, March 15, 2019.

Smallwood, Esther. “We Endorse Oprah for President.” Editorial. Statesman Times, March 15, 2019.

In the same way, if an article is part of a regular column or series, you can add the name of the column/series (in roman font) after the article title.

Letter or Comment

Contributions from readers can be cited as follows:

1. W. Rabbit, Letter to the editor, McGregor’s Garden Variety News, April 5, 2017.

Rabbit, W. Letter to the editor. McGregor’s Garden Variety News, April 5, 2017.

For letters that have an actual title, check out the rules for editorials (above).

If you wish to cite a comment, just follow and adapt the format for online comments.

Article with no Author

For anonymous articles (and editorials, letters, etc.), start your footnote with a title and your bibliographic entry with the newspaper:

1. “Large Woolly Mammoth Starts Zoo Knitting Class.” Timbuktu Times, May 23, 2016.

Timbuktu Times. “Large Woolly Mammoth Starts Zoo Knitting Class.” May 23, 2016.

Newspaper Titles

When you cite the name of a newspaper, here are some rules to keep in mind:

• Omit The from the title (e.g., not The Fullofit Daily, but Fullofit Daily). You can retain the article in non-English titles.
• For local newspapers that are less well known, you can add the city in brackets. E.g., Plain Liar (Buffalo).
• You can also add a state or province for clarification (abbreviated or not). E.g., Current Events (Aurelia, IL).
• Sometimes you may want to clarify which country’s edition you’re citing. E.g., Guardian (US edition)
• In some cases you may need to cite a news service rather than a newspaper. If so, don’t italicize the name (e.g., Associated Press).

More Information

For more information about citing newspapers, check out especially sections 14.191-14.200 of the Chicago Manuel of Style (17th edition).