Citation Styles Playbook

*Social media citations usually only appear as in-text citations (view first example). If the social media citation is a central part of the paper, then a formal note and bibliography entry may be added. Otherwise, the citation should only appear in the sentence. Quote up to 160 characters of the post in the title.

Example of Twitter citation: 

Conan O'Briens' tweet was characteristically deadpan: "In honor of Earth Day, I'm recycling my tweets (@ConanOBrien, April 22, 2015)."

Only use a formal citation if the social media post is examined extensively.

FIRST NOTE: Creator’s first & last name (@username), “Title,” Social media platform, Month Day, Year, URL. 

• Joe Biden (@JoeBiden), "This year, eight Democratic women governors were elected or reelected--the most in U.S. history," Twitter, December 23, 2022, https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1606446055318511618. 

SUBSEQUENT NOTE: Creator's last name (@username), "Shortened Title."

• Biden (@JoeBiden), "Eight Democratic women governors elected or reelected."

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Creator’s last name, first name (@username). “Title.” Social media platform, Month Day, Year. URL.

• Biden, Joe (@JoeBiden). “This year, eight Democratic women governors were elected or reelected– the most in U.S. history.” Twitter, December 23, 2022. https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1606446055318511618.

FIRST NOTE: Creator’s first & last name, “Title of Post,” Social media platform, Month Day, Year, URL. 

• Piedmont Virginia Community College, “Join us as we celebrate black history month and commemorate countless pioneers, innovators, history- and way-makers whose lives and contributions are a huge part of America's story,” Facebook, February 1, 2023, https://www.facebook.com/PiedmontVaCC.

SUBSEQUENT NOTE: Creator's last name, "Shortened Title."

• Piedmont Virginia Community College, “Black history month.”

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Creator's last name, first name. "Title of Post." Social media platform, Month Day, Year. URL.

• Piedmont Virginia Community College. "Join us as we celebrate black history month and commemorate countless pioneers, innovators, history- and way-makers whose lives and contributions are a huge part of America's story." Facebook, February 1, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/PiedmontVaCC.

*Chicago Manual of Style section 14.209

FIRST NOTE: Creator’s first & last name (@username), “Title,” Social media platform and description (if relevant), Month Day, Year, URL. 

• Smithsonian (@smithsonian), “This pigeon is wearing a sweater, but it’s not to keep warm,” Instagram photo, December 7, 2022, https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4mp23LQC6/?hl=en.

SUBSEQUENT NOTE: Creator’s last name (username if available), “Shortened title.”

• Smithsonian (@smithsonian), "This pigeon."

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Creator’s last name, first name (screenname if available). “Title.” Social media platform, Month Day, Year. URL.

• Smithsonian (@smithsonian). “This pigeon is wearing a sweater, but it’s not to keep warm.” Instagram photo, December 7, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4mp23LQC6/?hl=en.