Citing the Washington Post: An MLA In-Text Adventure
Hey there, intrepid researcher! Are you neck-deep in a project that requires citing articles from the Washington Post? Feeling a little overwhelmed by the mysterious world of MLA formatting? Well, fret no more! This guide will be your trusty compass, navigating you through the thrilling quest of citing The Washington Post in MLA format, in-text!
First things first: Do you have an author's name?
This might seem like a silly question, but trust me, it's an important one. The Washington Post operates a bit differently than some other publications, and depending on the article you're referencing, you might not always have a handy author name to slap into your citation. Fear not, brave adventurer! We'll tackle both scenarios! Onward!
Scenario 1: You've got a trusty author by your side!
Excellent! This is the most straightforward situation. All you need to do is include the author's last name in your parentheses after the information you're referencing from the article. For instance, let's say you're writing about a recent political move and want to cite an article by Washington Post writer Sarah Lilienthal. Here's how your in-text citation would look:
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
The new policy is expected to have a significant impact on rural communities (Lilienthal).
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| How To Cite The Washington Post Mla In-text |
Scenario 2: The author is a mystery!
Uh oh! The Washington Post sometimes publishes articles with no author listed. But don't panic! There's still a way to cite these sources in MLA format. Simply use the title of the article in quotation marks within your parentheses. For example, if you're referencing an unattributed article about a new scientific discovery, your citation would look like this:
Tip: Pause, then continue with fresh focus.
This new discovery could revolutionize cancer treatment ("New Cancer Treatment Shows Promise").
Bonus Level: The Washington Post website!
If you're citing an online article from the Washington Post, you can usually include the publication date in your in-text citation after the title or author's name in parentheses. This isn't required, but it can be helpful for your reader, especially if the article is about a current event. Here's an example:
A recent study suggests that chocolate consumption might actually be good for you (Roach, March 14, 2024).
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
FAQ: Conquering MLA and The Washington Post
How to cite a Washington Post article with multiple authors?
If there are two authors, list their last names separated by a comma and then "and" before the closing parenthesis. For three or more authors, just use the first author's last name followed by "et al." (which means "and others").
How to cite an editorial or opinion piece?
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
Treat editorials and opinion pieces the same way you would a regular article. Just be sure to mention in your in-text citation that it's an editorial or opinion piece.
How to find the publication date for an online Washington Post article?
The publication date is usually listed at the top or bottom of the article.
How to cite a Washington Post article if I don't have access to the full text?
If you only have the title and publication date, you can still cite the article in MLA format. Just include the title in quotation marks, the publication date, and a note that you couldn't access the full text (e.g., "New Cancer Treatment Shows Promise." Washington Post, March 14, 2024. Limited access).
How to format the Works Cited list entry for a Washington Post article?
This is a whole other adventure! But don't worry, there are plenty of resources online to help you with that.
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