How Do You Reference a Blog? Mastering the Art of Citation

Referencing a blog correctly is crucial for academic integrity and providing proper attribution to the original author. Simply put, you reference a blog by including the author’s name (if available), blog post title, blog name, publication date, and URL. The specific format varies depending on the citation style you’re using – MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, and others each have distinct guidelines. Let’s dive into the specifics and then tackle some frequently asked questions.

Decoding the Citation Styles: A Deep Dive

Different academic disciplines and publications adhere to different citation styles. Getting it wrong can impact your credibility, so pay attention!

MLA: Modern Language Association

MLA style is commonly used in the humanities. Here’s the general structure for referencing a blog post in MLA:

Author, First Name Last Name. “Title of Blog Post.” Name of Blog, Publication Date, URL.

For example:

Smith, John. “The Art of Effective Blogging.” Bloggers Unite, 15 Jan. 2023, www.bloggersunite.com/effective-blogging.

• Author: List the author’s name as First Name Last Name. If the author is an organization, use the organization’s name.
• Title of Blog Post: Enclose the title of the blog post in quotation marks.
• Name of Blog: Italicize the name of the blog.
• Publication Date: Provide the date of publication in Day Month Year format.
• URL: Include the full URL of the blog post. Omit “https://” unless absolutely necessary to access the page.

APA: American Psychological Association

APA style is widely used in the social sciences. The format is slightly different:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of blog post. Name of Blog. URL

For example:

Smith, J. (2023, January 15). The art of effective blogging. Bloggers Unite. www.bloggersunite.com/effective-blogging

• Author: List the author’s name as Last Name, Initial(s). If the author is an organization, use the organization’s name.
• Year, Month Day: Provide the date of publication in Year, Month Day format.
• Title of Blog Post: Only capitalize the first word of the title, the first word after a colon or em dash, and proper nouns. It’s not italicized or enclosed in quotation marks.
• Name of Blog: Italicize the name of the blog.
• URL: Include the full URL of the blog post.

Chicago: Notes and Bibliography

Chicago style has two main formats: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. For blogs, the Notes and Bibliography style is more common, especially in humanities disciplines.

Author, First Name Last Name. “Title of Blog Post.” Name of Blog, Publication Date. URL.

For example:

John Smith, “The Art of Effective Blogging,” Bloggers Unite, January 15, 2023, www.bloggersunite.com/effective-blogging.

In the bibliography, the format is similar but with inverted names and periods instead of commas:

Smith, John. “The Art of Effective Blogging.” Bloggers Unite, January 15, 2023. www.bloggersunite.com/effective-blogging.

• Author: List the author’s name as First Name Last Name in the note and Last Name, First Name in the bibliography.
• Title of Blog Post: Enclose the title of the blog post in quotation marks.
• Name of Blog: Italicize the name of the blog.
• Publication Date: Provide the date of publication.
• URL: Include the full URL of the blog post.

Harvard: Parenthetical Referencing

Harvard is a general style that can vary slightly depending on the institution or publication. A common format looks like this:

(Author, Year) Author’s Last Name, Initial(s). (Year) Title of blog post. Name of blog. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date)

For example:

(Smith, 2023) Smith, J. (2023) The art of effective blogging. Bloggers Unite. Available at: www.bloggersunite.com/effective-blogging (Accessed: 2024-01-26)

• Author: List the author’s name as Last Name, Initial(s).
• Year: Provide the year of publication in parentheses.
• Title of Blog Post: Italicize the title of the blog post.
• Name of Blog: Italicize the name of the blog.
• Available at: Include the full URL of the blog post.
• Accessed: Include the date you accessed the blog post.

Best Practices for Blog Citation

Beyond the specific format, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:

• Consistency is Key: Choose a citation style and stick to it throughout your entire document. Don’t mix and match!
• Accuracy Matters: Double-check all information – author names, titles, dates, and URLs. A small error can lead to big problems.
• Use Citation Management Tools: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can help you organize your sources and generate citations in various styles.
• When in Doubt, Consult the Style Guide: Each style guide has a comprehensive manual. Consult the official guide for clarification on specific scenarios.
• Give Credit Where Credit is Due: The goal of citation is to acknowledge the work of others and avoid plagiarism. Always cite sources properly, even if it seems tedious.

Blog Comments: A Special Case

Citing blog comments requires special attention. You need to identify the commenter, the date of the comment, and the blog post to which the comment belongs. The specific format will again depend on your citation style. Consult the relevant style guide for details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blog Citation

1. What if there is no author listed for the blog post?

If no author is listed, use the blog’s name or the organization responsible for the blog as the author. This is considered a corporate authorship. If no author or organization is available, begin your citation with the title of the blog post.

2. What if there is no publication date listed?

If there is no publication date, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (for “no date”) in place of the year. Sometimes, a blog post might have a “last updated” date, which you can use if a publication date is absent.

3. How do I cite multiple blog posts from the same blog?

Each blog post should be cited as a separate entry in your bibliography or reference list. Don’t combine them into a single entry.

4. How do I cite a blog post that is behind a paywall?

Cite it the same way you would cite any other blog post, but note in your citation or in parentheses that the content is behind a paywall. For example, you might add “(subscription required)” after the URL.

5. Can I use a shortened URL in my citation?

It’s generally best to use the full, unabbreviated URL. However, if the URL is excessively long, consult your style guide for guidance on using shortened URLs or persistent identifiers like DOIs (if available).

6. How do I cite a blog post that is a transcript of a video or podcast?

In addition to the usual blog citation elements, include information about the original source (video or podcast), such as the title, creator, and date. Check your style guide for the correct format.

7. What’s the difference between a blog and a website?

A blog is a type of website that features regularly updated content, often in the form of articles or posts. Websites are broader and can encompass various types of online content. Cite them as you would cite their specific type, differentiating between a blog and a non-blog.

8. How do I cite a blog post that I found through a search engine?

Cite the blog post directly, not the search engine. Include the URL of the blog post itself.

9. How do I handle blog posts with comments enabled? Do I cite individual comments?

Typically, you cite the blog post itself, not individual comments. If a specific comment is particularly insightful or relevant to your argument, you can cite it, making sure to identify the commenter, the date of the comment, and the blog post to which it belongs.

10. Are there any ethical considerations when citing blogs?

Yes. Always ensure you’re giving proper credit to the original author and avoid misrepresenting the content or taking it out of context. Fair use principles apply.

11. How do I cite a blog in a footnote?

The format for a footnote citation will depend on your chosen citation style, often Chicago. Typically, it would include the author, title of the blog post, name of the blog, publication date, and URL.

12. What if the blog post has been updated since its original publication?

Include both the original publication date and the date the post was last updated, if available. The precise formatting will depend on your citation style. This provides readers with a clearer timeline for the information presented.

Mastering blog citation, while seemingly complex, is a crucial skill for anyone engaging with online content in an academic or professional setting. By understanding the nuances of different citation styles and adhering to best practices, you can ensure the accuracy, credibility, and ethical integrity of your work. Remember: When in doubt, always consult the official style guide!