Citing magazine articles in MLA style requires specific elements: author’s name, article title, magazine name, publication date, page numbers, and URL for online articles. These details are necessary for both in-text citations and Works Cited entries. Proper citation ensures credit to authors and maintains academic integrity when using magazine sources.
Differences Between Print and Online Magazine Citations
Print and online magazine citations in MLA style differ in key aspects. Print article citations focus on physical details like volume, issue numbers, and page ranges. Online article citations require digital identifiers such as URLs, DOIs, and access dates. Understanding these distinctions ensures accurate citation of both print and digital magazine sources.
Citing a Print Magazine Article
Author Names and Their Formatting
When citing a print magazine article, start with the author’s name. In MLA format, the author’s last name comes first, followed by a comma and the first name. For example:
Smith, John.
Article Title
Next, include the title of the article in quotation marks. Capitalize the first word and all principal words. For instance:
“Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe.”
Magazine Title
The title of the magazine should be italicized. This sets it apart from the article title and highlights its significance. Example:
Scientific American,
Volume and Issue Numbers
If the magazine includes volume and issue numbers, these should follow the magazine title. For example:
Scientific American, vol. 310, no. 6,
Publication Date
Include the publication date in the format of day, month, and year. Abbreviate the month (e.g., Jan., Feb., Mar.):
15 June 2023,
Page Numbers
Finally, specify the page range of the article. Use “pp.” before the numbers:
pp. 34-45.
Putting it all together, a complete citation for a print magazine article looks like this:
Smith, John. “Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe.” Scientific American, vol. 310, no. 6, 15 June 2023, pp. 34-45.
Citing an Online Magazine Article
Author Names and Their Proper Format
The format for author names in online magazine citations is the same as for print articles. Start with the last name, followed by the first name. Example:
Doe, Jane.
Article Title
Place the title of the article in quotation marks, capitalizing appropriately. For instance:
“Advancements in Renewable Energy.”
Magazine Title
Italicize the title of the online magazine to distinguish it from the article title. Example:
National Geographic,
Publication Date
Include the publication date in the day, month, year format, abbreviating the month. Example:
12 Mar. 2024,
URL or DOI
Provide the URL or DOI of the article to help readers locate it. Example:
www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/advancements-in-renewable-energy
Date of Access
Including the date of access is important for online sources, as content can change over time. Example:
Accessed 10 June 2024.
A complete online magazine article citation looks like this:
Doe, Jane. “Advancements in Renewable Energy.” National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2024, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/advancements-in-renewable-energy. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Handling Articles with Multiple Authors
Two Authors
When an article has two authors, list both names. Use “and” between the names and invert only the first author’s name. Example:
Brown, Sarah, and Michael Green.
Three or More Authors
For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” to indicate the inclusion of others. Example:
Johnson, Emily, et al.
Special Cases in Magazine Article Citations
No Author
If an article has no author, start with the article title. Example:
“Discovering Hidden Treasures.” Travel Magazine, vol. 5, no. 3, May 2023, pp. 10-15.
No Page Numbers
For online articles without page numbers, simply omit this part. Example:
Miller, Aaron. “The Future of Space Travel.” Space Today, 18 Apr. 2024, www.spacetoday.com/future-of-space-travel. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Articles in Special Issues
When citing articles in special issues, include the title of the special issue. Example:
Doe, John. “Art in the Digital Age.” Journal of Modern Art, vol. 22, no. 1, special issue on Digital Art, Spring 2024, pp. 30-42.
Tips for Ensuring Accurate Citations
Double-Checking Author Names
Ensure that author names are spelled correctly and formatted according to MLA guidelines.
Verifying Publication Details
Confirm the accuracy of publication details such as dates, volume and issue numbers, and page ranges.
Using Citation Tools: Pros and Cons
Citation tools like WriterBuddy’s MLA Magazine Article Citation can streamline the citation process. They help ensure accuracy but should be used with a critical eye to avoid errors.
Examples of Proper MLA Magazine Citations
Print Magazine Example
Smith, John. “Exploring the Mysteries of the Universe.” Scientific American, vol. 310, no. 6, 15 June 2023, pp. 34-45.
Online Magazine Example
Doe, Jane. “Advancements in Renewable Energy.” National Geographic, 12 Mar. 2024, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/advancements-in-renewable-energy. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Multiple Authors Example
Brown, Sarah, and Michael Green. “Innovations in Biotechnology.” BioTech Journal, vol. 12, no. 4, Apr. 2024, pp. 55-67.
Special Cases Example
“Discovering Hidden Treasures.” Travel Magazine, vol. 5, no. 3, May 2023, pp. 10-15.
FAQs
How do I format the author’s name in an MLA magazine article citation?
In MLA style, the author’s name is formatted with the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. For example: Smith, John.
What should I do if the magazine article has no author?
If there is no author, start the citation with the article title in quotation marks, followed by the rest of the citation details.
How do I cite an online magazine article without page numbers?
For online magazine articles without page numbers, simply omit the page number section and include the URL and the date of access.
How do I cite a magazine article with multiple authors in MLA style?
For two authors, list both names with “and” between them. For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” Example: Johnson, Emily, et al.
Conclusion
Accurate citation of magazine articles in MLA format is crucial for academic credibility. The process involves including author, title, publication details, and page numbers for print sources, with the addition of URLs for online articles. Following these guidelines helps properly attribute ideas and provides readers with necessary source information. WriterBuddy can assist in streamlining this citation process, ensuring correct formatting of magazine references in your academic work.
Related Citation Tools
| Citation Generator | Chicago Citation |
| Easily generate accurate citations across various styles, saving time and avoiding formatting errors. | Produce consistent Chicago-style citations, suitable for history, literature, and the arts. |
| APA Citation | Harvard Citation |
| Create precise APA citations effortlessly, ideal for students and researchers following APA guidelines. | Generate Harvard-style citations with ease, commonly used in the humanities and social sciences. |
| MLA Citation | AMA Citation |
| Generate accurate MLA citations quickly, perfect for academic papers that require MLA formatting. | Quickly create citations following the AMA style, ideal for medical and health-related academic writing. |
| ABNT Citation | IEEE Citation |
| Automatically generate citations in accordance with ABNT standards, essential for academic writing in Brazil. | Generate accurate IEEE citations, perfect for engineering, computer science, and other technical fields. |
| Vancouver Citation | ACS Citation |
| Create accurate citations using the Vancouver system, widely used in medical and scientific research papers. | Produce citations in the ACS style, tailored for chemistry and related scientific disciplines. |
| Turabian Citation | CSE Citation |
| Easily create citations in Turabian style, a simplified version of Chicago, ideal for students and researchers. | Generate citations in the CSE style, commonly used in the natural sciences, including biology and environmental studies. |
