When writing academic papers, citations play a crucial role in giving credit to the original authors and sources of the material referenced. The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is one of the most commonly used citation styles for humanities and liberal arts disciplines, and it provides specific rules on how to format and cite sources. However, many students and writers find themselves questioning whether certain elements, like the name of a news source such as “BBC News,” should be italicized when referenced in MLA style. In this article, we will explore the MLA guidelines on italicizing news sources, how to cite a newspaper article, and the correct way to format citations for online and electronic sources.
The Basics of MLA Citation Format
Before diving into specific rules regarding the italicization of news sources, it’s essential to understand the general MLA citation format. MLA style relies on two primary elements for citing sources: in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Both need to adhere to specific formatting guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency throughout your paper.
- In-text citations include brief references within the body of your paper to indicate where the information came from.
- Works Cited entries provide full citations at the end of the paper, listing all sources used in the research.
The MLA format uses the author’s last name and page number for in-text citations. On the Works Cited page, entries for books, articles, websites, and other sources follow a specific structure depending on the type of material being cited.
Should “BBC News” Be Italicized in MLA?
According to MLA guidelines, the formatting of a source’s title is based on its type. Here’s the key rule to remember:
- Titles of entire works, like books, movies, websites, and newspapers, are italicized.
- Titles of shorter works, such as articles or chapters, are placed in quotation marks.
In the case of BBC News, it is considered a website and an entire news source, so the title “BBC News” should not be italicized in the MLA format. Instead, it is treated as a periodical title and is usually italicized. However, the name of the specific article you refer to, which is typically a part of the larger publication, would be enclosed in quotation marks.
For example:
- Correct MLA Formatting:
- In-text citation for BBC News: (BBC News)
- Works Cited citation for BBC News: “Title of Article.” BBC News, Date of Publication, URL.
How to Cite a Newspaper Article in MLA
When citing a newspaper article in MLA, it’s important to include all relevant information, such as the author’s name, title of the article, the title of the newspaper, the date of publication, and any other pertinent details. MLA style provides a specific format for newspaper articles, whether in print or online.
Citing a Print Newspaper Article
The general format for citing a print newspaper article in MLA is as follows:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper, Date of Publication, Page(s).
For example:
- Smith, John. “Breaking News: Major Fire in Downtown Area.” The New York Times, 2 Feb. 2025, pp. A1, A4.
Citing an Online Newspaper Article
When citing an online article, MLA requires you to include the same basic elements as for print, but you should also add the URL of the article if available. The general format is:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper, Date of Publication, URL.
For example:
- Smith, John. “Breaking News: Major Fire in Downtown Area.” The New York Times, 2 Feb. 2025.
Citing Newspaper Articles in Text
In MLA, in-text citations are essential to give proper credit to sources. For newspaper articles, the in-text citation generally includes the author’s last name and the page number (if applicable). In the case of online articles, since there are often no page numbers, you only need to include the author’s last name in the citation.
- For a print article, the in-text citation would look like this: (Smith A1).
- For an online article without page numbers, the citation would simply be: (Smith).
How to Cite a News Article in MLA
Citing a news article follows the same general guidelines as citing any other article. The format focuses on providing enough information for readers to locate the article themselves. However, citing a news article specifically involves including the publisher or website name, the article title, and the date.
Here’s an example of how to cite a news article in MLA format:
Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of News Source, Date of Publication, URL.
For instance:
- Doe, Jane. “Election Results for 2025: What We Know So Far.” BBC News, 5 Feb. 2025,
MLA In-Text Citation for Online Sources
Citing online sources requires a slightly different approach than citing print materials. For online sources, you typically omit page numbers because most digital articles don’t have them. However, you still need to follow the same general structure for in-text citations:
- One Author: (Author’s Last Name).
- Multiple Authors: (Author’s Last Name and Author’s Last Name).
- No Author: Use the title of the article (shortened, if necessary).
For example:
- (Smith)
- (Doe and Johnson)
- (“Election Results”)
If the article is from an online news source like BBC News, your in-text citation would look like this:
- (BBC News)
Parenthetical Citations for Electronic Sources
When citing electronic sources, it’s essential to adapt the citation style slightly. The MLA handbook suggests the use of parenthetical citations for electronic sources, which allow readers to reference sources that don’t fit the typical page-number format. You should always cite the author’s last name in the parentheses and, when possible, include a locator like a paragraph number, but in many cases for online news articles, this won’t be necessary.
For an article from BBC News:
- In-text citation: (BBC News)
- Works Cited: “Title of Article.” BBC News, Date of Publication, URL.
Also Read: bbcurdu صفحۂ اول: A Journey into the Heart of NewsWhy MLA Citation is Important
Properly citing your sources in MLA format is crucial for several reasons:
- Avoiding plagiarism: Citing sources properly ensures that the original authors and creators receive the credit they deserve for their work.
- Building credibility: Well-structured citations help readers verify the sources used in your paper and support your arguments.
- Academic integrity: Using MLA style helps maintain the academic standards of research and writing, ensuring that your work is taken seriously.
Conclusion
The rules surrounding MLA citation formatting can seem overwhelming at first, but with a bit of practice, it becomes easier to understand. When referring to news sources such as BBC News, you do not need to italicize the name of the news organization itself. Instead, treat the title of the source as you would any periodical or website by italicizing it. Remember to cite specific articles in quotation marks and follow the appropriate MLA structure for both in-text and Works Cited citations.
By understanding the correct way to cite newspaper articles and news websites, you’ll ensure that your academic work is properly credited, helping you avoid plagiarism while also making your sources easily accessible to your readers.
