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Referencing Toolkit

How to Reference

Basic Format to Reference a Social Media Post

Use your judgment in citing social media sources. Remember that what you cite should have scholarly relevance.

The basics of a reference list entry for a Tweet.

  • Author or authors. The surname is followed by first initials.
  • Twitter handle (username) in [square brackets].
  • Year and date, e.g. (2020, January 21)
  • Title (in italics). Use the content of the Tweet up to the first 20 words.
  • Description of any attached audiovisuals in [square brackets], where relevant.
  • Description of format in [square brackets], for e.g. [Tweet]
  • Social media site name, e.g. Twitter
  • URL.
  • The first line of each citation is left adjusted. Every subsequent line is indented 1.27cm.

Example:

Speech Pathology Aus [@SpeechPathAus]. (2017, August 20). Communication is a human right, yet barriers to communication accessibility still exits. How can you help? #SPWeek goo.gl/xmWQNL [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/ApeechPathAus/status/899167896164864001

Speech Pathology Aus [@SpeechPathAus]. (2017, August 20). Communication is a human right, yet barriers to communication accessibility still exist. How can you help? #SPweek goo.gl/xmWQNL [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SpeechPathAus/status/899167896164864001

Examples

Citation Examples

Material Type

In-text examples

Reference list examples

Tweet

Highlighting the importance of speech pathology and the basic human right to communication (Speech Pathology Aus, 2017).

Speech Pathology Aus [@SpeechPathAus]. (2017, August 20). Communication is a human right, yet barriers to communication accessibility still exist. How can you help? #SPweek goo.gl/xmWQNL [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SpeechPathAus/status/899167896164864001

For Twitter posts and profiles (see following) the name of the author (individual or group) is followed by their Twitter handle in [square brackets].
Twitter Profile

The Speech Pathology Aus (n.d.) Twitter profile provides a platform for advocacy...

Speech Pathology Aus [@SpeechPathAus]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved January 21, 2020, from https://twitter.com/SpeechPathAus

Use (n.d.) for the date and include the retrieval statement because the content of the profile homepage is constantly updating.
'Tweets' (title) is the default tab when viewing a Twitter profile, change this as appropriate if viewing a different tab, for example 'Media' or 'Likes'.
Facebook Post

Providing support and information during trauma (Australian Psychological Society [APS], 2020).

Australian Psychological Society. (2020, January 9). Children cope with trauma in different ways. Look for changes in behaviour that suggest they are unsettled or distressed [Image with link attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pg/AustralianPsychologicalSociety/posts/?ref=page_internal

Use this format for other social media services such as Tumblr, LinkedIn, etc.
Facebook Page

..importance of having a social media presence (Australian Psychological Society, n.d.).

Australian Psychological Society. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved January 21, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/AustralianPsychologicalSociety/

'Home' (title) is the default page when viewing a Facebook profile, change this as appropriate if viewing a different page, for example 'Posts' or 'Events'.
Instagram Photo or Video

A timely reminder from Cancer Council Australia (2019) on how to stay up to date with UV levels.

Cancer Council Australia [@cancercouncil]. (2019, December 17). Find your local UV levels [Infographic]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JpDqBlVYo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Online forum post

This Beyond Blue forum is described as "a place to meet friends and fellow travellers for a bit of company" (Kazzle, 2015, para. 3).

Kazzl. (2015, December 26). The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum [Online forum post]. Beyond Blue. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/the-bb-cafe