When citing academic blogs written by others, how should one format them correctly?
Academic blogs require formal citation like other sources when used substantively in scholarly writing. They must be distinguished from informal mentions through specific bibliographic formatting.
Key formatting principles include identifying the author(s), publication date, title of the specific post, blog title in italics, publisher/organization if evident, and the permanent URL. Inclusion of a retrieval date is recommended if content is dynamic. The specific citation style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard) dictates the exact sequence and punctuation of elements; consistency throughout the document is mandatory. Cite the specific post, not the entire blog homepage.
Consult the required style guide's section on online periodicals or "web log" entries. Provide complete URL information. Correct formatting prevents plagiarism, enables source verification, and enhances the credibility of both the writer's work and the cited blog content within academic discourse. Libraries often maintain detailed online style guide resources.
