So, you’ve stumbled upon a really insightful and thought-provoking blog post that you just can’t help but share with others. But wait, isn’t it important to give credit where credit is due? Absolutely! That’s why we’re here to help you with a step-by-step guide on how to properly cite a blog. Whether you’re a student working on an academic paper or simply a curious reader who wants to back up your information, we’ve got you covered. So, get ready to dive into the world of blog citation and learn how to navigate this process with ease and efficiency.
Understanding Blog Citation
What is a blog citation?
A blog citation is a way to properly attribute and give credit to the original author of a blog post. It involves providing information about the author, the title of the blog, the date of publication, the URL of the blog, and the date accessed. By including this information, you are acknowledging the source of the information and enabling readers to find and verify the information for themselves.
What is the purpose of citing a blog?
The purpose of citing a blog is to give credit and acknowledgement to the original author or creator of the content you are using or referring to in your own work. Citing a blog not only demonstrates academic integrity but also allows readers to trace the original source, explore the ideas further, and assess the credibility of the information. Additionally, citing a blog helps in avoiding plagiarism and shows respect for other people’s intellectual property.
Gathering Required Information
To properly cite a blog, you need to gather the following information:
Author’s Last Name
The last name of the author of the blog post is an essential piece of information needed for citation. It allows readers to identify the specific person responsible for the content or ideas presented in the blog.
Author’s First Name
The first name of the author is equally important as it provides clarity and identification of the author. Including both the first and last name enhances the accuracy of the citation.
Blog Title
The title of the blog is the name given to the blog post and is crucial for citation purposes. It helps readers locate the specific blog post you are referencing among other posts by the same author or on a similar topic.
Date of Publication
The date of publication refers to the day, month, and year the blog post was initially made available to the public. Including the date of publication is crucial for the accuracy and credibility of the citation, as it allows readers to assess the timeliness and relevance of the information.
URL of the Blog
The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the blog is the web address where the blog post can be found online. It is an essential component of a blog citation as it helps readers access the original content directly, further investigate the blog, or verify the information provided.
Date Accessed
The date accessed is the date when you personally visited the specific URL of the blog post you are citing. This information is necessary to inform readers about the reliability and up-to-date nature of the information you are citing.
APA Format
The APA (American Psychological Association) format is commonly used in social sciences and education fields. It follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the reference list.
In-Text Citations
In APA format, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication, enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2022). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you can exclude it from the parentheses: According to Smith (2022),…
Reference List
In the APA format, the reference list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Initial. (Year of publication, Month Day). Title of the blog post. Retrieved from URL
For example:
Smith, J. (2022, January 15). How to Cite a Blog. Retrieved from www.example.com
MLA Format
The MLA (Modern Language Association) format is commonly used in humanities and liberal arts fields. It follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the Works Cited list.
In-Text Citations
In MLA format, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the blog post, enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith 12). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you can exclude it from the parentheses: According to Smith,…
Works Cited List
In MLA format, the Works Cited list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the Works Cited list is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. “Title of the Blog Post.” Title of the Blog, Day Month Year, URL.
For example:
Smith, John. “How to Cite a Blog Post.” Blogging Basics, 15 Jan. 2022, www.example.com.
Chicago/Turabian Format
The Chicago/Turabian format is commonly used in history, social sciences, and some humanities fields. It offers two systems for citation: the Notes and Bibliography System and the Author-Date System.
Notes and Bibliography System
In the Notes and Bibliography System, citations are indicated through superscripted numbers within the text. The full citation is then provided in footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography is included at the end of the document. The general format for a blog post in the bibliography is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. “Title of the Blog Post.” Title of the Blog. Day Month Year. URL.
For example:
Smith, John. “How to Cite a Blog Post.” Blogging Basics. January 15, 2022. www.example.com.
Author-Date System
In the Author-Date System, citations are included within parentheses in the text and a corresponding reference list is provided at the end of the document. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. Year. “Title of the Blog Post.” Title of the Blog. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.
For example:
Smith, John. 2022. “How to Cite a Blog Post.” Blogging Basics. Accessed January 15, 2022. www.example.com.
Harvard Format
The Harvard format, also known as the author-date referencing style, is commonly used in various disciplines. It is similar to the APA format and follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the reference list.
In-Text Citations
In Harvard format, in-text citations typically include the author’s last name and the year of publication, enclosed in parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2022). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you can exclude it from the parentheses: According to Smith (2022),…
Reference List
In the Harvard format, the reference list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Initial. (Year of publication). Title of the blog post. Available at: URL (Accessed: Day Month Year)
For example:
Smith, J. (2022). How to Cite a Blog. Available at: www.example.com (Accessed: 15 January 2022)
IEEE Format
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) format is commonly used in technical fields, especially in engineering and computer science. It follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the reference list.
In-Text Citations
In IEEE format, in-text citations typically include a number enclosed in square brackets, which corresponds to the number of the full citation in the reference list. For example: [1]. If there are multiple sources cited, they can be separated by commas: [1], [2].
Reference List
In the IEEE format, the reference list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
[Number] Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Initial. “Title of the blog post.” Title of the Blog, Available: URL, Accessed on: Month Day, Year.
For example:
[1] Smith, J. “How to Cite a Blog.” Blogging Basics, Available: www.example.com, Accessed on: January 15, 2022.
AMA Format
The AMA (American Medical Association) format is commonly used in the medical and biological sciences fields. It follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the reference list.
In-Text Citations
In AMA format, in-text citations typically include a superscripted number, which corresponds to the number of the full citation in the reference list. For example: ^1. If there are multiple sources cited, they can be separated by commas: ^1,2.
Reference List
In the AMA format, the reference list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
Author’s Last Name Author’s First Initial. Title of the Blog Post. Title of the Blog. Date of Publication Year; Volume(Issue):Pages. Available from: URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.
For example:
Smith J. How to Cite a Blog Post. Blogging Basics. 2022;15(1):23-30. Available from: www.example.com. Accessed January 15, 2022.
Vancouver Format
The Vancouver format is commonly used in the medical and scientific fields, especially in the biomedical sciences. It follows a specific format for both in-text citations and the reference list.
In-Text Citations
In Vancouver format, in-text citations typically include a number in superscript, which corresponds to the number of the full citation in the reference list. For example: [1]. If there are multiple sources cited, they can be separated by commas: [1,2].
Reference List
In the Vancouver format, the reference list should include the full citation information for the blog post. The general format for a blog post in the reference list is as follows:
Number. Author’s Last Name Author’s First Initial. Title of the Blog Post. Title of the Blog. Year Month Day; [cited Year Month Day]; Available from: URL.
For example:
- Smith J. How to Cite a Blog Post. Blogging Basics. 2022 Jan 15; [cited 2022 Jan 15]; Available from: www.example.com.
Citation Generators
To make the process of creating blog citations easier, there are various online citation generators available. These tools allow you to enter the required information about the blog post, and they generate the citation in the desired format. They can save you time and ensure that your citations are accurately and consistently formatted.
Online Citation Generators
Several websites offer free online citation generators that support multiple citation styles. Examples include Citation Machine, EasyBib, and BibMe. These online tools typically require you to enter the necessary information about the blog post, and they generate the citation in the chosen citation style.
Plug-ins and Add-ons for Browsers
In addition to online citation generators, there are also browser plug-ins and add-ons available that can assist in generating blog citations. These tools integrate with your browser and provide citation options directly within the web page you are viewing, making it convenient to create citations without leaving the website or blog.
In conclusion, understanding how to cite a blog is essential for giving credit to the original author, maintaining academic integrity, and allowing readers to verify and explore the information further. By following the specific formats for different citation styles and using convenient tools like citation generators, you can ensure accurate and proper citations for blog posts. Remember to gather all the necessary information, use the appropriate format for the citation style you are using, and double-check the accuracy of your citations. Happy citing!
Paul is a digital marketing and blogging specialist who shares his knowledge and experience on his blog. He writes about topics such as SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, analytics and much more. Paul’s goal is to provide his readers with the information and resources they need to create and implement successful digital marketing campaigns and a profitable blog.