Need a New York Times Citation? Don't Freak Out, It's Easier Than Dodging a Pigeon on a Sidewalk!
Let's face it, research papers can be a pain. You've gotta find the perfect sources, decipher them, and then...citations. Ugh, citations. Those tricky little buggers can trip up even the most studious scholar. But fear not, fellow wordsmiths! When it comes to wrangling citations from The New York Times, we're here to help you navigate the labyrinth with ease (and maybe a chuckle or two).
Finding the Citation Goldmine
The New York Times, bless its informative soul, actually makes finding citation info pretty darn simple. Here's the lowdown:
Modern Marvels (Articles After 1983): Look up at the top of your online article. See all that nifty text with the author's name, date, and section? That, my friend, is your citation fairy godmother. Copy and paste that info, following the proper format for your chosen citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago - we'll get to those in a sec).
Blast from the Past (Articles Before 1983): Ah, the pre-internet era. For these articles, you might need to dig a little deeper. Check the library's microfilm archives (yes, microfilm - it's like a tiny movie for text!) or consult a database like ProQuest. These resources usually have citation info readily available.
Pro Tip: If you're using The New York Times' TimesMachine platform (a treasure trove of historical articles), the citation info is displayed slightly differently, but still easy to find.
Battling the Beasts of Citation Styles
Now, we come to the land of MLA, APA, and Chicago. These are the citation styles that academics love to throw around like confetti at a thesis defense. But don't worry, they're not that scary!
MLA (Modern Language Association): This one likes things clear and concise. It focuses on the author, date, title, publication name (The New York Times), and sometimes the page number.
APA (American Psychological Association): APA prefers a more structured approach. It uses a similar format to MLA, but with some tweaks, like including the URL for online articles.
Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style): Chicago can be a bit more complex, but it offers different formats depending on the type of article (news, editorial, etc.).
Remember: These are just crash course explanations. There are plenty of online resources and citation generators to help you with the specifics of each style.
Still Confused? Don't Be Shy!
Citations can be tricky, but there's no shame in asking for help. Here are some resources to keep you on the right track:
- The New York Times Online Database Guide: [library.fdu.edu/c.php?g=NYTdatabase] (This one has specific instructions for citing NYT articles)
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): [OWL Purdue writing lab website] (A fantastic resource for all things citation-related)
FAQ: Citation Wrangling 101
How to cite a New York Times article in MLA?
Find the author, date, title, and publication info at the top of the article. Follow the MLA format for online sources (author, date, title in quotation marks, publication name in italics, date accessed, URL).
How to cite a New York Times article in APA?
Similar to MLA, but with some tweaks. Use the author, date, title, publication name (The New York Times), and URL.
How to cite a New York Times article before 1983?
Use microfilm archives or databases like ProQuest. These resources usually have citation info readily available.
How to choose the right citation style?
Your instructor will usually specify which style to use (MLA, APA, Chicago).
How to format a Chicago citation for a New York Times article?
Chicago can be more complex. Check out the Chicago Manual of Style or online resources for specific formats depending on the article type.