How to Cite a Tweet in MLA Format
Citing Tweets in MLA Style
To cite a tweet in MLA 9th edition, you must include the author's name, their handle in brackets, the tweet text in quotation marks, the platform name, the date, and the URL. This guide provides the exact formula for creating Works Cited entries and in-text citations for social media posts.
Step 1: Identify the Author and Handle
Start your citation with the author's real name if it is available on their profile. Write the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. Immediately after the name, place the user's Twitter handle (the @username) in square brackets. If the real name is unknown, start the citation with the handle alone. This dual-identification ensures that readers can find the exact account even if the display name changes over time.
Step 2: Format the Tweet Content
Place the entire text of the tweet inside quotation marks. You must maintain the original capitalization, punctuation, and spelling used by the author, even if it contains errors. If the tweet is exceptionally long, you may use an ellipsis (...) to shorten it, but ensure the core meaning remains intact. End this section with a period inside the closing quotation mark.
Step 3: List the Container and Date
Italicize the name of the platform, Twitter, as it serves as the 'container' for the content. Follow this with a comma and the date of publication. Use the MLA standard date format: Day Month Year (e.g., 14 May 2023). If the tweet was posted recently, ensure you are using the date provided by the timestamp on the post itself.
Step 4: Include the URL
Provide the direct URL to the tweet to allow the reader to verify the source. When writing the URL in MLA format, omit the https:// protocol and start with 'twitter.com/'. End the entire citation with a final period. If you accessed the tweet via a mobile app and cannot find the URL, you may omit it, but the web version is always preferred for academic writing.
MLA Tweet Citation Example
Use this format for your Works Cited page entry: `Gorman, Amanda [@TheAmandaGorman]. "The new dawn blooms as we liberate it. For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it." Twitter, 20 Jan. 2021, twitter.com/TheAmandaGorman/status/1351954242746019840.` For the **in-text citation**, use the author's last name or the handle if the name is unavailable: `The poet reminds us that light exists for those "brave enough to see it" (Gorman).`
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when citing social media:
- Omitting the handle: Always include the @username in brackets so the specific account is identifiable.
- Correcting typos: Do not fix the author's grammar or spelling within the quoted tweet text.
- Forgetting the container: Ensure Twitter is italicized as it is the title of the website.
- Using the wrong date: Use the date the tweet was posted, not the date you accessed it.
Generate citations automatically
MLA, APA, and Chicago citations from any URL or DOI.