Conquering the MLA Citation Beast: A New York Times Taming Guide
Ah, the MLA citation. A seemingly simple task that can morph into a research monster, leaving you muttering about colons and quotation marks at 3 AM. But fear not, intrepid writer! Here's your hilarious (and hopefully helpful) guide to tackling the New York Times with MLA in mind.
Step 1: Assembling Your MLA Arsenal
Imagine yourself as a brave knight ready to slay the citation dragon. Your trusty steed? The New York Times website. Your weapons? Eagle eyes to scan for details and a brain like a steel trap to remember them.
Here's what you need to snag:
- Author(s): This might be a single knight or a whole roundtable discussion (by multiple authors).
- Article Title: Treat it like your noble quest's name - catchy and informative!
- Publication Date: When did this article conquer the front page?
- URL (optional, but super helpful): Your digital map to find the article again.
Bonus points for:
- Page Numbers: If you're referencing a physical copy, these are like secret passages in the article's castle.
Step 2: MLA Citation Magic!
Now that you've gathered your intel, it's time to craft the citation itself. Here's the secret formula, fit for a wizard's spellbook:
In-text citation (for sneaky mentions): (Author's Last Name Page Number)
- Example: A recent article suggests coffee consumption is linked to increased productivity (Wu 17).
Works Cited List (the grand finale):
- For one author: Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article: Subtitle (if any)." The New York Times, Date, URL.
- For multiple authors: List authors' last names in the order they appear in the article, separated by commas and a final "and" before the last name.
- Example: Wu, Pauline. "Coffee Consumption Linked to Increased Productivity." The New York Times, 12 March 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/.
Remember:
- Put quotation marks around the article title.
- Italicize the newspaper name (The New York Times).
- Don't forget the period at the end!
Step 3: Victory Dance (Optional, But Highly Recommended)
You've done it! You've wrestled the MLA citation from the clutches of the New York Times. Now, celebrate your triumph with a victory dance (air guitar solo highly encouraged).
Important Note: This guide is intended to be lighthearted and informative. Always double-check your citations with your instructor or a reliable style guide for ultimate accuracy.
Frequently Asked MLA Citation Questions (From a New York Times Perspective)
How to cite an article with no author?
If there's no knight in shining armor (aka named author), use the title of the article in quotation marks for both in-text citations and the Works Cited List.
How to cite an article behind a paywall?
If you accessed the article through a library database, include the database name after the publication date in your Works Cited List entry.
How to cite an entire New York Times issue?
Unless your teacher is secretly a dragon hoarding information, you likely won't need to do this. Focus on specific articles instead.
How to avoid MLA citation meltdowns?
Take breaks, have a laugh (like at this guide!), and don't be afraid to ask for help from librarians or writing tutors.
How to make the New York Times fear you (citation-wise)?
By becoming a master of MLA citations, of course! Just don't get too cocky - MLA style can be tricky, and there's always something new to learn.
