How to Cite a Reddit or Forum Post in Chicago (17th edition)
Learn how to cite Reddit threads, AMAs, and online forum or discussion-board posts in Chicago format (17th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Chicago Bibliography Format
Here is the standard Chicago format for citing a Reddit post in your bibliography:
Username. "Title or Text of the Post." Reddit, Month Day, Year. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx.
Chicago Example for a Reddit or Forum Post
A complete Chicago reference for a Reddit post, formatted by the official Chicago CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
u/quiet_scholar. 2024. “How do you organise sources for a literature review?” R/AskAcademia, Reddit, July 15. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/abc123.
Matching in-text citation: (u/quiet_scholar 2024)
Chicago In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Username 2024)
Narrative
Username (2024) notes...
Key Chicago Formatting Rules
- Name the poster by username and put the post title or text in quotation marks.
- Identify Reddit (and the subreddit) as the site, then give the full Month Day, Year date.
- Reddit posts are usually cited in a note; they may be omitted from the bibliography.
- End with the direct URL of the post or comment.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Reddit post.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Chicago (17th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Chicago requirements.
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