How to Cite a News Article: A Turabian Guide for Liberty University Students (and the Rest of Us)
So, you’re writing a paper for your Liberty University class and need to cite a news article in Turabian style? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there – staring blankly at a news article, wondering how to turn that Pulitzer Prize-winning prose into a perfectly formatted Turabian citation. Fear not, brave scholar! This guide will be your trusty compass, navigating you through the treacherous waters of Turabian formatting, landing you safely on the shores of proper academic citation.
But first, let’s address the elephant in the room – why Turabian? Why not just use those fancy MLA or Chicago formats? Well, dear reader, Liberty University believes in keeping things traditional (much like your grandma’s Christmas dinner). That’s why they’ve adopted the Turabian style for their students. Think of it as a special secret handshake for Liberty University scholars, a way to say “we’re in this together.” (And really, who doesn’t love a little bit of tradition?)
Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details of citing a news article in Turabian. Get your pencils sharpened, your coffee brewed, and prepare to be enlightened!
How to Cite a News Article in Turabian – The Basics
The Turabian format for citing a news article is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article: Subtitle if Any.” Name of Newspaper [city of newspaper if local paper with city name not in name], Date of Publication, p. Page Number if given.
Let’s break this down with an example:
Smith, John. “The World is Round: A Groundbreaking Discovery.” The Daily Planet [Metropolis], January 17, 2023, p. 1.
Here’s what each element represents:
- Author’s Last Name, First Name: This is the author’s name in reverse order. If there are multiple authors, list them in the same way, separated by commas. If there’s no author, simply begin with the article title.
- “Title of Article: Subtitle if Any.”: The article title goes in quotation marks, followed by a colon and the subtitle, if there is one.
- Name of Newspaper: The name of the newspaper is italicized.
- [City of Newspaper if local paper with city name not in name]: This information is only included if the newspaper’s name doesn’t include the city. For example, The New York Times doesn’t need the city, but The Washington Post does.
- Date of Publication: Include the month, day, and year of publication.
- p. Page Number if given: If the article has a specific page number, include it after “p.”
The “Why” Behind the Citation
Before we move on to the more complex aspects of Turabian citation, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the why behind it all. Why are we so obsessed with these seemingly arbitrary rules? Well, my friend, it’s not just about making your professors happy (although that’s a nice side effect). It’s about credibility and accountability.
Think of citations as the building blocks of academic integrity. They allow your readers to trace your research, verify your sources, and understand the intellectual context of your work. It’s like giving your readers a roadmap to your thoughts, showing them where you’ve been and how you got there.
So, next time you’re tempted to skip a citation, remember: it’s not about being a “citation cop.” It’s about upholding the standards of academic honesty and fostering a culture of intellectual rigor. And hey, if it helps you avoid plagiarism, that’s a bonus!
Turabian: A Tale of Two Footnotes
In Turabian, you have two main options for citing your sources: footnotes and bibliographies. Footnotes are those little numbers at the bottom of the page, while bibliographies are comprehensive lists of all your sources at the end of your paper.
Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. Liberty University has its own unique twist on Turabian footnotes. They prefer the author-title version, which includes both the author’s name and the article title in the footnote.
For example, if you were citing the “The World is Round” article, your footnote would look like this:
- John Smith, “The World is Round: A Groundbreaking Discovery,” The Daily Planet [Metropolis], January 17, 2023, p. 1.
Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it seems. Just remember the formula: author’s last name, first name, “article title,” newspaper name, date, page number.
Online Articles: The Digital Age of Citation
But what about online articles? You’re probably thinking, “Do I need to cite the URL? What about the date I accessed it? What about my cat’s name?”
Fear not, digital scholar! Turabian addresses the challenges of citing online sources. Here’s how you can do it:
- Include the URL: For online articles, you absolutely need to include the URL in your citation. This allows your readers to access the source for themselves.
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier): This is a unique identifier assigned to online articles, and if you can find it, it’s the preferred way to cite an online article. Think of it as a fancy online address that helps you find the article quickly and easily.
- Date Accessed: If the article doesn’t have a DOI, you need to include the date you accessed it. This is because online content can change over time, and it’s important to let your readers know what version of the article you were working with.
Remember, citing online sources is all about providing your readers with the information they need to find and access the source. So don’t be afraid to get specific with your URLs and access dates!
Turabian: A Formatting Symphony
Finally, let’s talk about the formatting of your Turabian paper. Think of it as a symphony of fonts, margins, and spacing, all working together to create a beautiful and readable document.
Here are some key formatting elements you need to know:
- Font: 12 pt. Times New Roman is the standard font for Turabian papers. This is a classic, easy-to-read font that’s perfect for academic writing.
- Double-space: Your entire paper should be double-spaced. This makes it easier for your readers to scan and digest your text.
- Margins: Use 1 inch margins or larger. This ensures that your text isn’t cramped and that your paper looks professional.
- Paragraph Indentation: Indent new paragraphs by 1⁄2 inch. This helps to visually separate your paragraphs, making your paper easier to read.
- Page Numbers: Place your page numbers in the top right or bottom center of the page. This is a standard formatting rule in Turabian.
The Liberty University Writing Center: Your Turabian Oasis
Feeling overwhelmed by all of this information? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The Liberty University Writing Center is a fantastic resource for students struggling with Turabian formatting and citations. They offer detailed instructions, templates, and tutorials on using Turabian, so you can rest assured that you’re on the right track.
Conclusion: The Citation Revolution
So there you have it! You’ve now learned the secrets of citing a news article in Turabian style, a skill that will serve you well throughout your academic journey at Liberty University and beyond. Remember, citations are not just about following rules – they’re about building a foundation of academic integrity and ensuring that your research is credible and accountable. And who knows, maybe you’ll even inspire a generation of students to embrace the power of proper citations. Now go forth and conquer those Turabian citations, young scholar! The world of academic writing awaits you.