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How to Cite a Reddit or Forum Post in CSE (8th edition)

Learn how to cite Reddit threads, AMAs, and online forum or discussion-board posts in CSE format (8th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

CSE Reference List Format

Here is the standard CSE format for citing a Reddit post in your reference list:

Username. Year. Title of the post [Internet]. Reddit; [accessed Year Mon Day]. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx.

CSE Example for a Reddit or Forum Post

A complete CSE reference for a Reddit post, formatted by the official CSE 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 [Internet]. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/abc123

Matching in-text citation: (u/quiet_scholar 2024)

CSE In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Username 2024)

Narrative

Username (2024) notes...

Key CSE Formatting Rules

  • Give the username, year, post title, and an [Internet] designator.
  • Name Reddit as the publisher and add an [accessed] date.
  • End with the URL.
  • Use the name-year or citation-sequence system consistently with the rest of your paper.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Reddit post.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the CSE (8th edition) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match CSE requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: cse.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Reddit post in CSE?
To cite a Reddit post in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the CSE format for a Reddit post citation?
The CSE format for a Reddit post is: Username. Year. Title of the post [Internet]. Reddit; [accessed Year Mon Day]. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx.
What does the in-text citation look like for a Reddit post in CSE?
In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Username 2024)

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