This guide is a starting point. For full details on correctly citing resources and creating references, please consult
the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Ed. (2020), or Cites & Sources, 6th Ed. (2021).
Please Note! Library staff do not teach APA, and cannot evaluate or correct work. If you need help with APA Style, please contact your instructor.
Below are some best practices for citing social media content (10.15):
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Author, A. [@username]. (Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description of audiovisuals]. Site Name. URL
Example:
Loyalist Library [@LoyalistLibrary]. (May 23, 2020). Are you a @LoyalistCollege instructor teaching in the spring/ summer 2020 semester? With the first six weeks being taught online. . . [Illustration of open educational resources]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/LoyalistLibrary/status/1253402755449917440
Parenthetical Citation
(Author, Date), e.g.: (Loyalist Library, 2020)
Narrative Citation
Author (Date), e.g.: Loyalist Library (2020)
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Author, A. (Date). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Description of audiovisuals]. Site Name. URL
Example:
Loyalist College (February 13, 2020). The Work Your Wardrobe event is happening on Wednesday, February 19 from 11 am – 1 pm in the Dining Hall. [Image attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/loyalistcollege/photos/a.518227028224854/2789978207716380/?type=3&theater
Parenthetical Citation
(Author, Date), e.g.: (Loyalist College, 2020)
Narrative Citation
Author (Date), e.g.: Loyalist College (2020)
Citing a Facebook page differs from citing a Facebook post in a few ways (10.15):
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Name of Group. (n.d.). Page name [Description]. Site Name. Retrieval date. URL
Example:
Loyalist College. (n.d). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved May 1, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/pg/loyalistcollege
Parenthetical Citation
(Page Name, n.d.), e.g.: (Loyalist College, n.d.)
Narrative Citation
Page Name (n.d.), e.g.: Loyalist College (n.d.)
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Author, A. [@username] OR Name of Group [@username]. (Date). Content of the post up the the first 20 words. [Description or audiovisuals]. Site Name. URL
Example:
Loyalist College Library [@LoyalistLibrary]. (January 6, 2020). It's a brand new year, and we've got stacks of brand new books to get your started on your 2020. [Photographs]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-6UJaAX4o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Remember! Information may be located elsewhere on a page. It is important to read thoroughly in order to find all of the information required for the reference list entry.
Parenthetical Citation
(Author OR Name of Group, Date), e.g.: (Loyalist College Library, 2020)
Narrative Citation
Author OR Name of Group (Date), e.g.: Loyalist College Library (2020)
Citing Instagram Highlights differs slightly from citing Instagram posts in the following ways (10.15):
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Author, A. [@username] OR Name of Group [@username]. (n.d.). Content of the post up the the first 20 words. [Description or audiovisuals]. Site Name. Retrieval date, URL
Example:
Loyalist College Library [@LoyalistLibrary]. (January 6, 2020). New books in the library [Highlight]. Instagram. Retrieved May 1, 2020, from https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-6UJaAX4o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Parenthetical Citation
(Author OR Name of Group, n.d.), e.g.: (Loyalist College Library, n.d.)
Narrative Citation
Author OR Name of Group (n.d.), e.g.: Loyalist College Library (n.d.)
Reference List Entry: Format (10.15)
Author, A. [username] OR Name of Group [username]. (Date). Content of the post up the the first 20 words. [Description]. Site Name. URL
Example:
Kapelos, V. [cbcnews]. (September 17, 2019). Hello, I’m Vassy Kapelos, the host of Power & Politics on CBC News Network. Ask me anything! [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://reddit.com/r/canada/comments/d6gjav/im_vassy_kapelos_host_of_power_politics_on_cbc/
Parenthetical Citation
(Author, Date), e.g.: (Kapelos, 2019)
Narrative Citation
Author (Date), e.g.: Kapelos (2019)
This guide is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th ed. (2020). Library staff have reviewed the information in this guide, and to the best of our knowledge, it is accurate. However, mistakes do occur. Students bear sole responsibility for ensuring that their citations are correct, and that their assignments meet the criteria laid out by their instructor. Students are encouraged to contact Peer Tutoring or the Writing Clinic for assistance.