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APA Style: Basics

This guide is intended to help you cite sources in APA style, avoid plagiarism, learn what APA style is and includes, find examples of APA style, lead you to campus resources that can help you cite sources in APA, and more.

Social Media


NOTE: Don't forget to indent the second and subsequent lines. 

General Format

Provide the first 20 words of the post

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Text of post [Status update]. Facebook. https://xxxxx

Organization Name. (Year, Month Day). Text of post [Image attached] [Status update]. Facebook. https://xxxxx

NOTE:

  • If the tweet includes media (images, videos, polls, etc.) describe the media in brackets after the text of the post and before [Status update].
  • According to the APA you should "count a URL, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, and include them in the reference if they fall within the first 20 words."

For Example

Shapiro Library @ SNHU. (2019, September 25). Tomorrow! Join us online for another Virtual Research Workshop: Search & Research: Mastering the Library Databases from 6-7 pm EDT. [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ShapiroLibrary/posts/10157411146534089

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(Shapiro Library @ SNHU, 2019)

OR

Shapiro Library @ SNHU (2019)

General Format

Page Name. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Date, from https://xxxxx

Page Name. (n.d.). About [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved Date, from https://xxxxx

NOTE: Use the page title in the reference (Home, About, Events, Videos, etc.).

For Example

National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/airandspace

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, n.d.)

OR

National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution (n.d.)

General Format

Author, A. A. [@Twitter handle]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. https://xxxxx

For Example

SNHU On Campus [@SNHUOnCampus]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SNHUOnCampus

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(SNHU On Campus, n.d.)

OR

SNHU On Campus (n.d.)

General Format

Author, A. A. [@twitter handle]. (Year, Month Day). Tweet text, use the first 20 words [Tweet]. Twitter. https://xxxxx

NOTE:

  • If the tweet includes media (images, videos, polls, etc.) describe the media in brackets after the Tweet text.
  • According to the APA you should "count a URL, a hashtag, or an emoji as one word each, and include them in the reference if they fall within the first 20 words."

For Example

SNHU Shapiro Library [@SNHULibrary]. (2019, December 9). Come on down and meet Piglet (and Chip, and Noel, too!). They'll be here until 1:30 in the WLLC fireplace [Image attached] [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/SNHULibrary/status/1204090811236925441

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(SNHU Shapiro Library, 2019)

OR

SNHU Shapiro Library (2019)

General Format

Author, A. A. [@instagram username]. (Year, Month Day). Text, use the first 20 words [Photograph]. Instagram. https://xxxxx

Author, A. A. [@instagram username]. (Year, Month Day). Text, use the first 20 words [Video]. Instagram. https://xxxxx

NOTE: If the post includes multiple photos then change [Photograph] to [Photographs].

For Example

SNHU Makerspace [@snhu.makerspace]. (2019, August 8). If you are on the prowl for something creative to do today, stop by the Makerspace! #snhuoncampus #makerspace #summerfun #snhureslife [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B06bjaDHr_F/

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(SNHU Makerspace, 2019)

OR

SNHU Makerspace (2019)

General Format

Author, A. A. [@TikTok username]. (Year, Month Day). Caption, use the first 20 words [Video]. TikTok. https://xxxxx

For Example

@taylorcassidyj. (2022, January 7). when being an ally you don’t need to PROVE IT. people who are marginalized can tell either way [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorcassidyj/video/7050556696946822446?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6893197019705034245

Note: If the username and name are the same use the username starting with the "@" symbol but without the brackets (as shown in the above example). Ignore the "@" symbol when alphabetizing the entry on the reference page.

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(@taylorcassidyj, 2022)

OR

@taylorcassidyj (2022)

General Format

Author, A. A. [@TikTok username]. (n.d). Text, use the first 20 words in the description [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://xxxxx

For Example

Oregon Zoo [@oregonzoo]. (n.d). A better future for wildlife. On TikTok. [TikTok profile]. TikTok. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://www.tiktok.com/@oregonzoo

Corresponding In-Text Citation

(Oregon Zoo, n.d)

OR

Oregon Zoo (n.d)

More Information

Visit the APA Style page Online Media This link opens in a new window to find more social media citation examples.