Authors and research students often feel apprehensive about citing sources in academic writing. Typically done towards the end of the research process, it involves managing citations collected over time. While some are diligent in citation management, others struggle due to disorganization or uncertainty about citation styles.
With social media now a popular platform for research dissemination, it’s crucial for researchers and authors to know how to appropriately cite all sources used.
This article discusses accurate citation of social media sources in academic writing, demonstrating various citation styles and formats.
Why to cite?
Citing sources serves several crucial purposes:
- Facilitating Access: Citations enable readers, including professors and researchers, to locate and verify the sources you used in your research.
- Building Credibility: Proper citations demonstrate that your ideas are supported by established experts in the field, enhancing the credibility of your work.
- Enhancing Academic Integrity: Citing scholarly and peer-reviewed sources helps to avoid plagiarism by giving credit to the original authors of ideas and information used in your work.
Using references from social media in academic writing
The evolution of digital technology and the emergence of social media platforms have transformed how sources are utilized and referenced in scholarly writing. Social media and online platforms are now recognized as legitimate channels for sourcing credible information and are acknowledged in citation styles worldwide.
It is important to exercise caution when referencing articles or research papers from unknown or predatory journals; however, social media references allow readers to verify provided information. \
While citing sources from social media in academic writing generally follows standard guidelines, the dynamic nature of online platforms necessitates specific principles to uphold the credibility of information for research students and authors.
There are several ways to cite social media sources:
- Using URLs: Provide a reference to the social media website URL (e.g., Facebook or Twitter) instead of citing specific posts (URLs in parentheses).
- Personal Communication: If the content is restricted or private, treat it as personal communication. For example, “Andrew Song (personal communication, January 2023) indicated that the government needs to focus on specific policies to target rising inflation.”
- Reference List Entry: When quoting or paraphrasing from social media, include a reference list entry with a corresponding in-text citation.
How to Cite Tweets: MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles
Citing sources correctly is crucial in academic writing, and with the increasing use of social media like Twitter for disseminating information, knowing how to cite tweets is essential. Each citation style—MLA, APA, and Chicago—has specific guidelines for referencing tweets:
MLA Style:
In MLA format, cite a tweet as follows:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username]. (handle). "Full text of tweet." Day month year posted, time posted. Tweet.
Example - American U Library (AULibrary). "2015 winners of Library Research Awards. Don't miss your chance to win $1k this year! #tbt http://bit.ly/1XKYPBf." 3 Mar 2016, 12:31 PM. Tweet.
APA Style:
For APA format, structure your tweet citation like this:
lessCopy code@handle. (Year, month day posted). Full text of tweet. [Twitter post]. Retrieved from URL
Example - @AULibrary. (2016, March 3). 2015 winners of Library Research Awards. Don't miss your chance to win $1k this year! #tbt http://bit.ly/1XKYPBf. [Twitter post]. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/AULibrary/status/705490693574135808
Chicago Style:
In Chicago style, cite a tweet with the following format:
lessCopy codeLastname, Firstname [or single username] (@handle). Year. "Full text of tweet." Twitter, Month day, year, time posted. URL.
Example - American U Library (@AULibrary). 2016. "2015 winners of Library Research Awards. Don't miss your chance to win $1k this year! #tbt http://bit.ly/1XKYPBf." Twitter, March 3, 2016, 12:31 p.m. https://twitter.com/AULibrary/status/705490693574135808.
How to Cite Facebook Posts: MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles
Citing social media sources like Facebook in academic writing is increasingly important. Here’s how to cite Facebook posts using MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles:
MLA Style:
In MLA format, cite a Facebook post as follows:
Lastname, Firstname. "First several words of Facebook post..." Day month year posted, time posted. Facebook.
Example - American University Library. "One week left to apply for your chance to win $1,000!" 11 Mar 2016, 12:15 PM. Facebook.
APA Style:
For APA format, structure your citation like this:
Lastname, Firstname. (Year, month day posted). First several words of Facebook post... [Facebook update]. Retrieved from URL
Example - American University Library (2016, March 11). One week left to apply for your chance to win $1,000! [Facebook post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/AULibrary/posts/10153431856787157
Chicago Style:
In Chicago style, cite a Facebook post with the following format:
Lastname, Firstname. Year. "Text of first sentence or phrase Facebook post." Facebook, Month day, year posted. URL.
Example - American University Library. 2016. "One week left to apply for your chance to win $
How to Cite YouTube Videos: MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles
Citing online videos, such as those from YouTube, is crucial for academic and professional work. Here’s how to cite YouTube videos using MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles:
MLA Style:
In MLA format, cite a YouTube video as follows:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username]. "Title of YouTube Video." Online video. Day month year posted. YouTube.
Example - AU Library. "This semester on... AU Library!" Online video. 25 Aug 2015. YouTube.
APA Style:
For APA format, structure your citation like this:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username]. (Year, month day posted). Title of YouTube Video. [Video file]. Retrieved from URL
Example - AU Library. (2015, August 25). This semester on... AU Library! [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/0dXw2RWqzpk
Chicago Style:
In Chicago style, cite a YouTube video with the following format:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username]. "Title of YouTube Video." Video, length of video, Month day, year posted. URL.
Example - AU Library. "This semester on... AU Library!" YouTube video, 2:23, August 25, 2015. https:/
How to Cite Instagram Posts: MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles
Citing social media posts, including Instagram, is essential for accurately attributing content in academic and professional contexts. Here’s how to cite Instagram posts using MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles:
MLA Style
In MLA format, cite an Instagram post as follows:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username]. (handle). "First several words of Instagram post (if any)..." Day month year posted. Instagram.
Example - American University Library (aulibrary). "Our view of the busy quad..." 24 Mar 2016. Instagram.
APA Style
For APA format, structure your citation like this:
handle. (Year, month day posted). First several words of Instagram post (if any)... [Instagram post]. Retrieved from URL
Example - aulibrary. (2016, March 24). Our view of the busy quad… [Instagram post]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/p/BDWURHtoCbG/
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, cite an Instagram post with the following format:
Lastname, Firstname [or single username] (@handle). Year. "Text of first sentence or phrase Instagram post." Instagram, Month day, year posted. URL.
Example - American University Library (@aulibrary). 2016. "Our view of the busy quad today!" Instag
How to Cite Social Media Sources in Different Formats
Citing social media sources correctly is crucial for academic and professional integrity. Here’s how to cite various social media platforms in MLA and APA styles:
MLA Format
- Posts on X (e.g., Twitter): Last name, First name (X username). “Place the entire post here.” Date and time of post. Followed by the post.
- Posts on Facebook: Last name, First name. “Title of the Post.” Date of post. [Date accessed. <link to post here>]
- Video links on YouTube: Last name, First name (or YouTube username). “Title of the Video.” Online video. YouTube, date link posted. Date accessed.
- Google+ post: Last name, First name. “Title of the Post.” Google+. Date posted. [Date accessed. <post link here>]
APA Format
- Posts on X (e.g., Twitter): Last name, First initial. [X username]. (Year, Month Day). Write the entire post here [Post]. Retrieved from <post link here>
- Posts on Facebook: Last name, First initial. [Facebook username]. (Year, Month Day). Write the first 40 words of the post here [Facebook status update]. Retrieved from <post link here>
- Videos on YouTube: Last name, First initial. [YouTube username]. (Year, Month Day). Write the title of the video here [Video file]. Retrieved from <post link here>
- Google+ post: Last name, First initial. [Google+ username]. (Year, Month Day). Write the first 40 words of the post here [Google+ post]. Retrieved from <post link here>
Additional Tips: Researchers should use permalinks, timestamps, and archive tools to capture social media content accurately for citations. Periodically check citation style guides for any updates in formatting requirements for various social media platforms.
By following these guidelines, you ensure proper attribution of sources, uphold academic standards, and facilitate transparency in research and writing practices. Always verify and update citations according to the latest style guidelines to maintain accuracy and credibility.