How to Cite a Newspaper Article in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography)

This guide explains how to format a newspaper article citation in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography). 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 Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Note: Author First Last, "Title of Article," Newspaper Name, Month Day, Year, URL. Bibliography: Newspaper articles are often cited only in notes, not in the bibliography. If included: Last, First. "Title of Article." Newspaper Name, Month Day, Year. URL.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

1. Gina Kolata, "New Alzheimer's Drug Shows Promise in Clinical Trial," New York Times, September 12, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/health/alzheimers-drug-trial.html.

Bibliography Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your bibliography:

Bibliography entry

Kolata, Gina. "New Alzheimer's Drug Shows Promise in Clinical Trial." New York Times, September 12, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/health/alzheimers-drug-trial.html.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Format the author name
In notes: First Name Last Name. If included in the bibliography: Last Name, First Name.
2
Write the article title
Place the article title in quotation marks using headline-style capitalization.
3
Add the newspaper name
Italicize the newspaper name. Omit the initial article "The" (e.g., New York Times, not The New York Times).
4
Include the date
Write the full date in Month Day, Year format (e.g., September 12, 2023).
5
Add the URL
For online articles, include the full URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including newspaper articles in the bibliography (Chicago often cites them only in notes).
Not placing the article title in quotation marks.
Including the initial article "The" in the newspaper name (Chicago drops it).
Using the wrong date format (Chicago uses Month Day, Year for newspapers).
Omitting the URL for online articles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should newspaper articles appear in the bibliography in Chicago style?

Chicago style typically cites newspaper articles only in notes (footnotes/endnotes) and omits them from the bibliography. However, if a newspaper article is central to your argument, you may include it in the bibliography.

Do I drop "The" from the newspaper name?

Yes. Chicago style drops the initial article "The" from newspaper names: write "New York Times" rather than "The New York Times."

How do I cite a newspaper article with no author?

Begin with the article title in quotation marks (in notes) or the newspaper name (if omitting from bibliography). Some scholars begin with the newspaper name as a kind of corporate author.

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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Format Template

The general pattern for citing a newspaper article in Chicago 17th Edition (Notes-Bibliography):

Template

Step-by-Step Guide

Format the author name

In notes: First Name Last Name. If included in the bibliography: Last Name, First Name.

Write the article title

Place the article title in quotation marks using headline-style capitalization.

Add the newspaper name

Italicize the newspaper name. Omit the initial article "The" (e.g., New York Times, not The New York Times).

Include the date

Write the full date in Month Day, Year format (e.g., September 12, 2023).

Add the URL

For online articles, include the full URL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Including newspaper articles in the bibliography (Chicago often cites them only in notes).

Not placing the article title in quotation marks.

Including the initial article "The" in the newspaper name (Chicago drops it).

Using the wrong date format (Chicago uses Month Day, Year for newspapers).

Omitting the URL for online articles.