How to reference a newspaper article in MLA 9
An article reference in MLA 9 has 6 parts. See them labelled on an example, then build your own and copy it.
- In your essay: (Author page)
- Checked 21 October 2026
Pip tip: in KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. Most of this is filled in for you.
The 6 parts
Author. “Headline.” Newspaper [Place], Date, Web address.
. 2 · HEADLINE“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.”3 · NEWSPAPERThe Daily Courier4 · PLACE[London], 5 · DATE3 Feb. 2025, 6 · WEB ADDRESShttps://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
- 2 · HeadlineCapital letters for the main words (KanBananza adds them). In double quotation marks.The headline.
- 3 · NewspaperIn italics.The newspaper’s name.
- 4 · PlaceIn square brackets.The city the newspaper is published in.
- 5 · DateThe date, written like this: 3 Feb. 2025.The day it was published.
- 6 · Web addressThe full web address.Copy it from the address bar.
Two places, one source
Several universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan).
The author, and the page when there is one.Khan, Aisha. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
The full reference, in A to Z order by surname.Build your reference
Fill in what you have. Anything still missing is highlighted. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What if…
Made by an organisation
Give the organisation’s name where the author goes.
Riverside Media Bureau. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
In your essay: (Riverside Media Bureau)
No author
Start with the title instead.
“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
In your essay: (“Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer”)
No date
Leave the date out. And add the date you looked at it, after “Accessed”.
Khan, Aisha. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
In your essay: (Khan)
Two authors
Give both names, joined with “and”.
Green, Amara, and Ravi Patel. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
In your essay: (Green and Patel)
Four or more authors
Give the first author, then “et al.”, which means “and others”. In your essay, give the first author and “et al.”.
Green, Amara, et al. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer.
In your essay: (Green et al.)
Easy to get wrong
A web address in your essay
NOT QUITESeveral universities now keep their libraries open later (www.example.org).
RIGHTSeveral universities now keep their libraries open later (Khan).
Check your university’s version
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
This guide follows the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.
Questions
How do I cite a newspaper article in the text?
Give the author, in brackets: (Khan)
What if there’s no date?
Check the page or document again first. If there really is none, here’s how MLA 9 sets it out: Khan, Aisha. “Universities Open Their Libraries for Longer.” The Daily Courier [London], https://www.example.org/news/libraries-open-longer. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
Is MLA 9 the same at every university?
Some schools and departments make small changes to MLA. Your course handbook always wins.
Referencing is easier as you go
Our step-by-step guides show how to keep your sources in order while you research and write, so the reference list is ready when you are.
Skip the typing next time
In KanBananza, right-click any page and choose “Save as a source”. The details are filled in for you, anything missing is flagged, and your reference list is made in your style. Harvard is free; the other styles come with Full Bananza.
These guides and KanBananza’s references are here to help, but they don’t replace your course’s own referencing guide: check your references against your handbook, and ask your tutor or library if you’re not sure. You’re responsible for your own work. Style names belong to their owners, who aren’t connected with KanBananza and don’t endorse it. See our terms.