How To Cite A Tweet: MLA Type
by TeachThought Workers
How do you cite a tweet MLA Type?
First, let’s make clear that whereas it’s not precisely an Oxford library and due to this fact might not be the primary place you go to for scholarly analysis, opposite to standard perception there are issues on twitter value citing.
Lengthy an oblique however potent instrument of torture in English school rooms and College campuses in all places, the MLA (and different cohorts, together with APA and Chicago) launched a format for quoting tweets in formal writing. We’ve excerpted a few of the most typical questions for citing tweets in MLA model, however you may take a look at their suggestions for extra steering and associated studying on analysis, quotation, and citing tweets for analysis functions.
The Trendy Language Affiliation (MLA) tips for citing content material from X (previously referred to as Twitter) deal with utilizing the put up’s textual content because the title, figuring out the creator by their deal with, and guaranteeing the URL is accessible.
The Fundamentals: MLA ninth Version Format
As a result of the platform has rebranded, the container title is now X, although Twitter is appropriate if referring to a historic put up or if the URL nonetheless reads ‘twitter.com’.
The Normal Components: @deal with (Actual Title). “The complete textual content of the tweet goes right here.” X, Day Month Yr, URL.
1. Writer and Deal with
- Deal with First: Start the quotation with the consumer’s deal with (together with the @ image).
- Actual Title: If the consumer’s actual title (or show title) is thought and totally different from the deal with, embrace it in parentheses instantly after the deal with.
- Instance:
@neiltyson (Neil deGrasse Tyson).
2. The “Title” (Tweet Textual content)
- Full Textual content: In contrast to articles with formal headlines, the “title” of a put up on X is the textual content of the put up itself. Enclose the textual content in citation marks.
- Capitalization: Don’t alter the capitalization of the unique put up; reproduce it precisely as written.
- Hashtags: Embrace hashtags as they seem within the textual content.
3. Dealing with Lengthy Posts
Whereas the character restrict on X has expanded, MLA suggests truncating the textual content for the quotation title if the put up is excessively lengthy.
- Ellipsis: Use the primary sentence or a significant phrase, adopted by an ellipsis (
...) on the finish of the quote. - Hashtags in Lengthy Posts: If you happen to truncate the textual content, you do not want to incorporate the hashtags except they’re a part of the phase you preserved.
4. Date and URL
- Date: Listing the day, month (abbreviated), and yr.
- Time: MLA ninth version usually doesn’t require the timestamp for social media except the put up is a part of a fast sequence (like a stay thread) the place distinction is important.
- URL: Copy the direct hyperlink to the put up. Chances are you’ll normally omit the
https://prefix.
Quotation Examples
Normal Submit (Brief)
@NASA. “It’s a busy week for the station! The crew is making ready for a spacewalk and a cargo mission.” X, 12 Nov. 2024,x.com/NASA/standing/example123.
Truncated Submit (Lengthy)
@teachthought. “Important pondering isn’t just a talent, it’s a behavior of thoughts that requires fixed cultivation. . . .” X, 24 Might 2025,x.com/teachthought/standing/example456.
Submit with a Identified Writer Title
@StephenKing (Stephen King). “I’ve seen the way forward for horror, and it’s named. . . .” X, 10 Oct. 2023,twitter.com/StephenKing/standing/example789.
Citing a Thread (A number of Authors) If a thread includes a number of contributors related to your work, cite the precise put up you might be quoting. If referencing the dialog usually, record the first creator adopted by et al.
@edutopia et al. “How do you deal with classroom administration in a BYOD surroundings?” X, 15 Aug. 2024,x.com/edutopia/standing/example321.
So, there you could have it–now you understand how to quote tweet in MLA model/format. We’ve additionally bought scores and scores of sources for utilizing social media within the classroom to discover as properly.
