Are Newspapers Italicized? Understanding the Rules of Formatting
If you’ve ever written an essay, article, or blog post and found yourself asking, “Are newspapers italicized?” — you’re not alone. This is one of those tricky grammar and formatting questions that confuses even experienced writers. The short answer: yes, newspaper titles are italicized in most writing styles — but with some exceptions.
Let’s break it down so you’ll never second-guess your formatting again.
Why Italics Matter in Writing
Italics aren’t just for decoration — they serve a purpose. Writers use italics to:
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Emphasize specific words or ideas.
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Distinguish titles of larger works (like books, movies, and newspapers).
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Set apart foreign words or phrases.
When you italicize correctly, your writing looks more polished and professional. It also helps readers quickly identify key information, especially when citing sources or referring to published works.
Are Newspaper Titles Italicized? The General Rule
According to major style guides like APA, MLA, and Chicago, the titles of newspapers and other standalone publications should always be italicized.
✅ Examples:
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I read an article in The New York Times this morning.
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The story was first reported by The Washington Post.
In these examples, the newspaper names are italicized because they’re independent, published entities — just like books or magazines.
When You Should Not Italicize Newspaper Titles
Here’s where things get interesting. There are a few situations where newspaper names aren’t italicized.
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AP Style (Associated Press):
The AP Stylebook, which journalists and news outlets commonly use, does not italicize newspaper or magazine names. Instead, it capitalizes them without quotation marks.✅ Example (AP Style):
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I read it in The Wall Street Journal.
So, if you’re writing for a newspaper, press release, or news site that follows AP style, skip the italics.
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Handwritten or Typed Work Without Formatting Options:
In handwritten or typewriter-style writing (or plain text emails), italics aren’t possible. In that case, you can underline newspaper titles instead.✅ Example:
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I saw the article in The Guardian → I saw the article in The Guardian (if handwritten).
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Newspapers vs. Articles: A Key Difference
A common mistake many writers make is confusing newspaper names with article titles. They are formatted differently:
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Newspaper titles: Italicized
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Article titles: “Placed in quotation marks”
✅ Example:
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“Breaking the Ice” appeared in The New York Times.
Here, The New York Times is the newspaper (italicized), and “Breaking the Ice” is the article (in quotes).
APA Style: How to Format Newspaper Titles
In APA (American Psychological Association) style, italics are used for newspaper names — both in-text and in reference lists.
✅ In-Text Example:
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According to a report by The Chicago Tribune (2024)...
✅ Reference Example:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Name of Newspaper. URL
MLA Style: Formatting Rules for Newspapers
In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, the same rule applies — newspapers are italicized.
✅ Example (MLA Citation):
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Name of Newspaper, Date, URL.
So, whether you’re citing The Los Angeles Times or The Daily Telegraph, the publication name should always appear in italics.
Chicago Style: Italics for Newspapers and Magazines
In Chicago Manual of Style, italics are used for all major periodical titles, including newspapers.
✅ Example:
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A recent report in The Financial Times discussed global inflation trends.
However, when you’re using a headline within a citation, remember to capitalize each major word, as shown above.
Quick Summary Table
| Style Guide | Newspaper Title | Example |
|---|---|---|
| APA | Italicized | The New York Times |
| MLA | Italicized | The Guardian |
| Chicago | Italicized | The Wall Street Journal |
| AP Style | Not Italicized | The Washington Post |
Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
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❌ Putting newspaper titles in quotation marks — wrong for APA/MLA.
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❌ Forgetting to italicize both in the text and citations.
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❌ Using italics for article titles — they should be in quotes.
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❌ Mixing styles — pick one (APA, MLA, Chicago, or AP) and stay consistent.
Consistency shows professionalism and attention to detail, both of which are key in SEO writing and academic work.
SEO Tip: Why Formatting Affects Online Readability
You might wonder how italics relate to SEO. While search engines don’t “see” italics the way humans do, readability and structure matter. Proper formatting improves user engagement and helps Google understand the hierarchy of your content.
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Use H2s and H3s with relevant keywords naturally.
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Keep sentences short and scannable.
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Italics help highlight important terms without overusing bold text.
Good formatting keeps readers on your page longer — which can indirectly boost your SEO ranking.
Practical Writing Examples
✅ Correct:
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According to The New York Times, climate change continues to reshape agriculture.
❌ Incorrect:
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According to “The New York Times”, climate change continues to reshape agriculture.
✅ Correct:
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I read “The Power of Nature” in The Guardian.
❌ Incorrect:
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I read “The Power of Nature” in The Guardian.
Notice how subtle formatting differences change the professionalism of your writing.
Final Thoughts: So, Are Newspapers Italicized?
Yes — newspapers are italicized in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, but not in AP style. The key is to know your audience and the writing standard you’re following.
If you’re writing an academic paper, blog, or SEO article — italicize newspaper titles.
If you’re writing for a newsroom or following AP Style — skip the italics.
Mastering these small details helps your content look credible, consistent, and professional.