If I am mentioning a Web 2.0 application within an APA style literature review, such as Twitter or FaceBook, do I need to put it in italics?
If I am mentioning a Web 2.0 application within an APA style literature review, such as Twitter or FaceBook, do I need to put it in italics? or do I just capitalize the term without italics?
Answer
Just to make sure I am understanding your question, you are discussing Facebook in the text of your article, not citing information from Facebook (for how to cite posts from Facebook or Twitter, see. pp. 33- 34 of the APA Style Guide to Electronic Literature, 6th edition).
I discussed this with another Librarian and we both agree that this would be an example of a trade or brand name (see p. 102 of the Publication Manual of the America Psychological Association, 6th edition). Therefore, capitalize, but do not italicize.
Example: "Despite what the major religions have taught for thousand of years, life had no ultimate meaning until Facebook and Twitter were created."
Good luck with the end of the semester.