We wouldn’t recommend using Facebook or Twitter as your main source when writing an essay. However, there are times when you may need to cite a social media post. Here, then, we’re looking at when and how to reference social media using Oxford-style footnote citations.
Social media is not, shall we say, academically rigorous. Rather, it is full of nonsense. Some of it is entertaining nonsense, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in your university work. You need academic rigour!
As a rule, then, you shouldn’t cite a social media post if there is another source available. If you need to cite the date of the Peasants’ Revolt, for example, you’re better off with a history book.
But you can cite social media in some cases. This might be because a company has tweeted about its performance or a politician about their policies, or it could be because you’re writing a paper on how people respond to news online. Whatever the reason, though, you need to give a full citation.
So, then, how do you cite a social media post in Oxford referencing?
To cite a social media post in Oxford referencing, you need to give a footnote citation. The first footnote should include the following:
In practice, the first footnote citation of a social media post would look something like this:
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
1. McDonald’s Australia (@maccas), ‘Hi Sal! Prices can vary slightly between restaurants…’, Twitter, 14 July 2018, twitter.com/maccas/status/1018005297368100864, accessed 21 July 2018.
If you then go on to cite the same post later in the same document, you can use a shortened footnote format to avoid excessive repetition.
The format for a social media post in an Oxford bibliography is similar to the first footnote citation. The differences are that you should:
Otherwise, the bibliography entry for a social media post will include the same information as the first footnote citation for the source.
‘Oxford referencing’ is a style rather than a system. It varies between institutions, including on how to present citations and the bibliography entry.
The format we use above follows common Oxford conventions, but you should also check your style guide (if you have one) to confirm that this is correct for you. Beyond that, just make sure all your referencing is clear and consistent. And if you’d like an expert academic editor to help on that front, simply submit your written work for proofreading today.
Δ
3-minute read
Google Docs is a powerful collaborative tool, and mastering its features can significantly enhance your...
2-minute read
If you’re writing about health issues, you might need to reference the Centers for Disease...
5-minute read
Introduction If you’re involved with ecommerce, you’re likely familiar with the often painstaking process of...
Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...
4-minute read
Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...
Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...