SOCIAL MEDIA and ONLINE FORUMS
There are two common types of social media or online forum communications: personal (posted for friends/followers/members only) and public. Both types require in-text citations, but only public communications require reference entries. Here are examples in the narrative format and the parenthetical format for both types.
Narrative citation - personal
C.J. Caldwell (personal communication, May 15, 2015) posted on Facebook that his kids are better off on a vegan diet.
Parenthetical citation - personal
One parent posted that his kids are better off on a vegan diet (C.J. Caldwell, personal communication, May 15, 2015).
Narrative citation - public
Austin (2015) posted on Facebook that his students prefer campus classes over online classes.
Parenthetical citation - public
One teacher posted that his students prefer campus classes over online classes (Austin, 2015).
- Personal or private communications: Use both the initial(s) and the last name; also provide the full date.
- Public communications: Use the standard formats for quotations, paraphrase, and summary.
There are two common types of social media or online forum communications: personal (posted for friends/followers/members only) and public. Both types require in-text citations, but only public communications require reference entries. Here are examples in the narrative format and the parenthetical format for both types.
Narrative citation - personal
C.J. Caldwell (personal communication, May 15, 2015) posted on Facebook that his kids are better off on a vegan diet.
Parenthetical citation - personal
One parent posted that his kids are better off on a vegan diet (C.J. Caldwell, personal communication, May 15, 2015).
Narrative citation - public
Austin (2015) posted on Facebook that his students prefer campus classes over online classes.
Parenthetical citation - public
One teacher posted that his students prefer campus classes over online classes (Austin, 2015).
