how to quote a news article in essay in mla format

how to quote a news article in essay in mla format

Quoting a news article in an essay in MLA format involves following specific guidelines for in-text citations and creating a corresponding Works Cited entry. Here’s how to do it within a 1000-word essay:

1. In-Text Citation:

   When quoting directly from a news article, follow these guidelines:

   • Include the author’s last name (if available) and the page number in parentheses. If the article doesn’t have page numbers, you can omit them.
   • If the article doesn’t have a named author, use the title of the article instead.

   Example:

   • (Smith 5) for an article with a named author and page numbers.
   • (“Climate Change Impacts” 3) for an article with no named author and page numbers.
   • (“Climate Change Impacts”) for an article with no named author and no page numbers.
2. Works Cited Entry:

   Create a reference entry for the news article in your Works Cited page following this format:

   • Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Newspaper, Date of Publication, URL.

   Example:

   • Smith, John. “Climate Change Impacts on Coastal Cities.” The New York Times, 15 July 2023, www.nytimes.com/climate-change-impacts.
3. Integration into Essay:

   Introduce the quote with context and explanation to connect it to your argument or discussion.

   Example:

   • According to John Smith, “Climate change poses significant threats to coastal cities, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events becoming more frequent” (5).
4. Paraphrasing or Summarizing:

   If you’re paraphrasing or summarizing information from the news article, follow the same in-text citation guidelines but without quotation marks.

   Example:

   • Smith highlights the growing concerns about climate change’s impact on coastal cities, such as rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events (5).
5. Word Count Considerations:

   In a 1000-word essay, use your words efficiently. Only quote directly from the news article when the exact wording is essential to your argument. Otherwise, paraphrase or summarize to save space.

6. Works Cited Page:

   At the end of your essay, include a Works Cited page that lists all the sources you cited, including the news article.

Here’s a general structure for your essay:

• Introduction: Present your topic and thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs: Develop your arguments with supporting evidence from the news article.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
• Works Cited: List the news article and any other sources used.

Ensure that your essay flows logically, and integrate the news article quotes or information smoothly to support your argument.