What is the basic MLA format for a magazine article?

The format is: Author Last Name, First Name. 'Article Title.' Magazine Title, Volume/Issue, Date, Pages or URL. Include all relevant publication information.

How do I cite a magazine article from an online database?

Include the same elements as a print article, but add the database name and URL instead of page numbers. Format: Author. 'Title.' Magazine, Date, URL or DOI.

Do I need to include the issue number for magazine citations?

Yes, include both the volume number and issue number when available. This helps readers locate the specific magazine edition containing your source.

How to Cite a Magazine Article in MLA Format

Understanding Magazine Article Citations in MLA

Magazine articles are accessible sources for research across many disciplines. Whether citing academic magazines, trade publications, or mainstream periodicals, MLA format provides guidelines for proper documentation. Correct citations acknowledge writers’ contributions and help readers access the original articles.

Basic Magazine Article Citation Format

The standard MLA format for magazine articles is: Author Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Magazine Title, volume number, issue number, date, pages.

Include the author’s name, complete article title in quotation marks, magazine title in italics, volume and issue numbers, publication date, and page range.

Print Magazine Article Citation

When citing an article from a printed magazine:

Smith, John. “Climate Change Solutions.” National Geographic, vol. 245, no. 3, March 2024, pp. 45-67.

Include the volume number, issue number, month (or date) of publication, and page numbers where the article appears.

Online Magazine Article Citation

For articles accessed through magazine websites:

Johnson, Maria. “Digital Privacy Concerns.” Wired, 15 March 2024, www.wired.com/story/privacy-concerns.

Replace page numbers with the complete URL where the article can be found online.

Magazine Article from Database

When accessing articles through academic or library databases:

Williams, David. “Renewable Energy Trends.” Scientific American, vol. 330, no. 4, April 2024, pp. 28-35. JSTOR, doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0424-28.

Include the database name and DOI or URL after the publication information.

Magazine with No Author Listed

If an article is unsigned or authored by the magazine itself:

“The Future of Technology.” Popular Science, vol. 304, no. 5, May 2024, pp. 12-18.

Start the citation with the article title and arrange alphabetically by title in your works cited page.

In-Text Citations for Magazine Articles

For in-text citations, use the author’s last name and page number:

(Smith 45) for a specific reference, or (Smith) for general reference.

For articles without page numbers on websites:

(Smith) or (“Climate Change Solutions”) using the title instead of author.

Examples for Different Magazine Types

Professional Journal-Style Magazine

Rodriguez, Maria. “Business Strategy in the Digital Age.” Harvard Business Review, vol. 102, no. 2, Feb. 2024, pp. 89-97.

Lifestyle Magazine

Anderson, James. “The Best Home Office Setup.” Better Homes and Gardens, vol. 102, no. 3, March 2024, www.bhg.com/article/home-office.

News Magazine

Thompson, Sarah. “Global Economic Outlook.” Time Magazine, vol. 203, no. 11, 18 March 2024, pp. 34-39.

Trade Publication

Chen, David. “Manufacturing Innovation.” Industry Week, 12 March 2024, www.industryweek.com/manufacturing-innovation.

Citing Magazine Articles from Archives

For archived magazine content:

Brown, Susan. “Environmental Policy.” The Atlantic, vol. 333, no. 2, Feb. 2024, pp. 56-72. ProQuest, www.proquest.com.

Include the archive or database name and access information.

Using GenText for Magazine Citations

GenText streamlines magazine article citation by organizing author information, publication details, and access methods. The tool automatically generates properly formatted MLA citations and ensures consistency throughout your research document.

Reference List Formatting

In your works cited page, arrange magazine article citations alphabetically by author’s last name (or article title if no author). Use hanging indent formatting consistent with other MLA entries.

Common Citation Mistakes

Incorrect title formatting: Article titles should be in quotation marks; magazine titles should be italicized.
Missing volume and issue numbers: These details help readers locate the specific magazine edition.
Inconsistent date format: Use Month Day, Year format (March 15, 2024) or Month Year for monthly publications.
Incomplete URLs: Provide full, functional URLs for online articles.

Distinguishing Magazines from Journals

Magazines are general or specialized publications for lay readers, while journals are academic publications. Magazine articles typically have shorter citations and don’t require volume numbers in some cases, though current MLA includes them.

When to Cite Magazine Articles

Magazine articles are appropriate sources for:

Contemporary news and cultural analysis
Expert commentary on current events
Accessible explanations of complex topics
Interviews and profiles
Opinion and feature pieces

By following MLA guidelines for magazine article citations, you properly acknowledge journalistic sources and provide readers with clear access to your references.