How to Cite an Online Article Without Author
Citing an online article without an author can be a bit tricky, but it’s not impossible. When you’re dealing with sources that don’t provide an author’s name, it’s important to still include as much information as possible in your citation to ensure accuracy and give proper credit to the source. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cite an online article without an author.
1. Start with the Title
The title of the article is a crucial piece of information in your citation. It should be placed in quotation marks and followed by a period. For example:
“Title of the Article.”
2. Include the Website Name
Next, you need to include the name of the website where the article is published. This is typically the name of the newspaper, magazine, or online publication. Make sure to capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title. For instance:
“Title of the Article. The Website Name.”
3. Specify the Date of Publication
Even if there’s no author, it’s still important to include the date of publication. This can be the date the article was posted or the date of the issue if it’s a print publication. Write the date in parentheses, using the month, day, and year format. For example:
“Title of the Article. The Website Name. (Month Day, Year).”
4. Mention the URL
The URL is a key component of your citation when citing online sources. Include the full URL where the article can be found, starting with “http://” or “https://”. Make sure to remove any special characters or unnecessary information. For example:
“Title of the Article. The Website Name. (Month Day, Year). Retrieved from http://www.example.com/article-url.”
5. Add a Page Range (if applicable)
If the article spans multiple pages on the website, include the page range in your citation. Write “pp.” followed by the starting and ending page numbers, separated by a comma. For example:
“Title of the Article. The Website Name. (Month Day, Year). Retrieved from http://www.example.com/article-url., pp. 1-5.”
By following these steps, you can successfully cite an online article without an author while still providing the necessary information for your readers to locate the source. Remember to always double-check your citation for accuracy and to follow any specific citation style guidelines provided by your institution or publisher.
