How to Cite a Newspaper Article in ACS (3rd Edition)

This guide explains how to format a newspaper article citation in ACS (3rd Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a newspaper article in ACS (3rd Edition):

Template

Author, A. A. Title of Article. *Newspaper Name*, Date, pp Pages.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

⁸ (superscript number)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Chang, K. A New Catalyst Promises Greener Chemistry. *The New York Times*, June 12, 2023, p D3.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
List the author(s)
Use standard ACS author format. If no author, begin with the article title.
2
Write the article title
Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize. End with a period.
3
Add the newspaper name
Italicize the newspaper name. Follow with a comma.
4
Include the full date
Write the date in Month Day, Year format after the newspaper name.
5
Add page numbers if available
Use "p" for a single page or "pp" for multiple pages. For online articles, include the URL and access date instead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not italicizing the newspaper name.
Omitting the full publication date (Month Day, Year).
Using volume and issue numbers instead of the full date for newspapers.
Forgetting the page number(s) when available.
Placing the date in parentheses instead of after the newspaper name.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an online newspaper article in ACS?

Omit the page numbers and add the URL with an access date: Author. Title. *Newspaper*, Date. URL (accessed Month Day, Year).

Do I include section information?

Page numbers in newspapers often include section letters (e.g., p A12). Include the section letter as part of the page number.

What if there is no author listed?

Begin the citation with the article title, followed by the newspaper name, date, and pages.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your newspaper article:

Author(s)
Date of publication
Title of article
Newspaper name
Page number(s) (print)
URL (online)

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Step-by-Step Guide

List the author(s)

Use standard ACS author format. If no author, begin with the article title.

Write the article title

Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize. End with a period.

Add the newspaper name

Italicize the newspaper name. Follow with a comma.

Include the full date

Write the date in Month Day, Year format after the newspaper name.

Add page numbers if available

Use "p" for a single page or "pp" for multiple pages. For online articles, include the URL and access date instead.