So You Heard It on the Radio: How to Cite an NPR Article (and Not Sound Like a Dewey Decimal System Reject)
Ah, NPR. The dulcet tones of Terry Gross, the invigorating reports of Steve Inskeep, the soothing soundscapes of "All Things Considered" lulling you to sleep (or, you know, informing you). But then you're hit with an academic assignment – cite your sources! And suddenly, that story about the rogue squirrel who became mayor of a tiny Vermont town feels a million miles away from a stuffy bibliography.
Fear not, fellow knowledge seekers! We can navigate the murky waters of citation together, with a little humor and a whole lot of Chicago style (because, let's face it, MLA sounds like a fancy cheese).
First Things First: Is it Even an Article?
Hold on there, citation bronco! Not everything on NPR is a neatly packaged article. Sometimes, it's a radio broadcast, a quirky interview on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", or even a heart-wrenching story on "This American Life." Don't worry, though, Chicago has your back. We'll tackle that in a sec.
But If It Is an Article...
Now we're talking! Here's the breakdown, with a dash of fun for good measure:
- Author, Author: Find the article's writer. Bonus points if it's a celebrity like Ira Glass himself (though, citing him discussing sandwiches might raise some eyebrows from your professor).
- Headline, Glorious Headline: Slap that title down, complete with quotation marks because, hey, respect the writer's creativity (even if it involves rogue squirrels and mayoral campaigns).
- The All-Important Date: When did this nugget of NPR wisdom hit the airwaves (or, you know, the internet)? Include the date of publication, because who wants outdated squirrel news?
Here's what it might look like, all fancy and Chicago-fied:
Riggs, Mike. 2023. "Vermont Town Elects Unlikely Rodent as Mayor." NPR. https://www.npr.org/
Easy, right? Now, you can finally channel your inner academic badass without sacrificing your love for all things NPR.
Now, That Radio Broadcast...
As promised, let's wrangle those radio segments. Here's the gist:
- Program Name: This is the big kahuna, like "Morning Edition" or "Science Friday."
- Episode Title (if applicable): Some broadcasts have specific episode titles. If it does, include it in quotation marks.
- Contributors: Who are the brilliant minds bringing you the knowledge? List them by role (interviewer, interviewee, etc.) and name.
- Air Date: Mark that calendar date when the wisdom (or squirrel-related antics) took flight.
For example:
Block, Melissa. 2024. "The History of Breakdancing." All Things Considered, aired February 14. NPR. https://www.npr.org/
See? Citations don't have to be scary. With a little Chicago magic and a sprinkle of humor, you can conquer any reference list, NPR-based or otherwise. Now, go forth and cite with confidence (and maybe a smile)!
