How to Cite Reddit in APA Format
Understanding the Format
Reddit is a social news and discussion website that allows users to share and discuss content on various topics. When citing Reddit in APA format, it’s essential to understand the citation style used by the website. Reddit uses a modified version of the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual, which is a widely accepted style guide for academic writing.
Table of Citing Reddit
| Citation Style | In-Text Citation | Reference List Citation |
|---|---|---|
| 7th ed. of the APA Publication Manual | (2017) | [Insert Reference List Citation] |
When to Use Each Citation Style
- In-text citations are used when you’re citing a source within your paper. For example, if you’re quoting a Reddit post, you would use an in-text citation, such as ("I found a post that said…").
- Reference list citations are used when you’re citing a source you’ve used in your paper or research. This is the most common citation style used in academic writing.
Table of Citing Reddit (continued)
| Source Type | Example Citation |
|---|---|
| User Post | I found a post that said… |
| Comment | Comments on a post… |
| Image | Image: "…" |
| Link | Link to a post… |
| File | File: "…" |
Image Citation
When you’re citing an image on Reddit, you’ll need to include the image title and the source of the image. This can be done by including the image title in square brackets and the source of the image in parentheses.
| Example Citation |
| Image: "Uplifting Post of the Day" |
Link Citation
When you’re citing a link to a post on Reddit, you’ll need to include the link in square brackets and the source of the link in parentheses.
| Example Citation |
| Link to a post: "https://www.reddit.com/r/…" |
File Citation
When you’re citing a file or image from Reddit, you’ll need to include the file title and the source of the file in parentheses.
| Example Citation |
| File: "User-Generated Image of a sunset" |
Table of Citing Reddit (continued)
| Source Type | Example Citation |
|---|---|
| Link | [https://www.reddit.com/r/…"] |
| File | [File Title: "…" by User "…"] |
Table of Citing Reddit (final)
| Citation Style | In-Text Citation | Reference List Citation |
|---|---|---|
| 7th ed. of the APA Publication Manual | (2017) | [Insert Reference List Citation] |
| In-text citation | (e.g., "I found a post that said…" | Reference List Citation Citation: "(2017)." |
Additional Tips
- When citing Reddit, make sure to include the username of the user who created the post.
- When citing a post from a user, you’ll need to include the username and the date the post was made.
- If you’re citing a link to a post on Reddit, make sure to include the link in square brackets and the source of the link in parentheses.
- If you’re citing a file or image from Reddit, make sure to include the file title and the source of the file in parentheses.
Conclusion
Citing Reddit in APA format requires attention to detail and a understanding of the citation style used by the website. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Remember to always include the username of the user who created the post, and to include the date the post was made if you’re citing a user post. With practice, you’ll become a pro at citing Reddit in APA format.