Should I reproduce emojis in my essay?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.

In general it is not necessary to reproduce emojis. However, if an emoji is important to a point you are making in your essay, you can describe it in your prose.  

Do not reproduce emojis in works-cited-list entries. 

See our related post about how to cite tweets that contain emojis.