How Do You Cite A Video In Mla

Citing a video in MLA format is essential for academic integrity and giving proper credit to the creators of the video content you've used in your research. Whether it's a YouTube video, a film, a documentary, or any other type of video, providing accurate citations allows your readers to locate the source themselves and ensures that you're acknowledging the intellectual property of others. Understanding the MLA citation style for videos is crucial for students, researchers, and anyone who incorporates video content into their work. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing detailed instructions and examples to help you master MLA video citations.

Understanding MLA Video Citations

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used formatting and citation style, particularly in the humanities. When citing a video in MLA, the goal is to provide enough information for your reader to find the video. The basic format includes the creator's name, the title of the video, the platform where the video is hosted, and the date it was published. However, there are variations depending on the type of video and how you accessed it.

Basic MLA Video Citation Format

The basic format for citing a video in MLA consists of the following elements:

• Creator (if available): The person or entity primarily responsible for the video.
• "Title of the Video." The title of the video in quotation marks.
• Title of the Platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix). The name of the website or service hosting the video, italicized.
• Date Published. The date the video was published.
• URL (if applicable). The direct URL of the video.

Here’s the basic template:

Creator Last Name, First Name. "Title of Video." Title of Platform, Date Published, URL.

Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a Video in MLA

Let's break down each component of the citation with detailed explanations and examples.

1. Identifying the Creator

The creator is the person or entity primarily responsible for the video. This could be an individual, a group, or an organization.

• Individual Creator: If the video was created by an individual, list their last name, followed by a comma, and then their first name. For example:

  Smith, John.

• Group or Organization: If the video was created by a group or organization, use the full name of the group or organization. For example:

  National Geographic.

If the real name of the creator isn't available, you can use the username of the creator. For example:

TechGuru123.

2. Writing the Title of the Video

The title of the video should be written exactly as it appears on the platform. Enclose the title in quotation marks.

• Example:

  "The Science of Climate Change."

3. Specifying the Platform

The platform is the website or service where the video is hosted. Italicize the name of the platform. Common platforms include YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, and TED.

• Examples:

  YouTube

  Vimeo

  Netflix

4. Including the Publication Date

The publication date is the date the video was uploaded or published on the platform. Use the format Day Month Year (e.g., 15 June 2023).

• Example:

  15 June 2023

5. Adding the URL

Include the direct URL of the video so that readers can easily access the source.

• Example:

Examples of MLA Video Citations

Here are a few examples of how to cite different types of videos using the MLA format.

Example 1: YouTube Video

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. "The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do." YouTube, 27 Feb. 2020, .

Example 2: TED Talk

Brown, Brené. "The Power of Vulnerability." TED, Mar. 2010, .

Example 3: Netflix Documentary

Smith, Ava. "Our Planet: Jungles." Netflix, 5 Apr. 2019, .

Example 4: Video with Username as Creator

TechGuru123. "How to Build a Gaming PC." YouTube, 10 Jan. 2022, .

Citing a Specific Part of a Video

Sometimes you may need to cite a specific segment or timestamp within a video. To do this, include the timestamp in your citation after the URL.

Here’s the format:

Creator Last Name, First Name. "Title of Video." Title of Platform, Date Published, URL, Timestamp.

• Example:

  Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. "The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do." YouTube, 27 Feb. 2020, , 0:00-2:30.

In this example, the citation refers to the segment from 0:00 to 2:30 of the video.

In-Text Citations for Videos

In addition to the Works Cited entry, you'll also need to include in-text citations when you refer to or quote from the video in your paper. The in-text citation should correspond to the first element of your Works Cited entry, typically the creator's last name.

Here are a few examples of in-text citations for videos:

• If you mention the creator's name in your sentence:

  According to Brown, vulnerability is essential for connection (2010).

• If you don't mention the creator's name in your sentence:

  One researcher argues that vulnerability is essential for connection (Brown, 2010).

• If citing a specific time in the video:

  Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (2020) explains the basics of the coronavirus in the first two minutes (0:00-2:00).

Handling Missing Information

Sometimes you may encounter videos where certain information is missing, such as the creator's name or the publication date. Here's how to handle these situations:

• Missing Creator: If the creator's name is not available, use the title of the video in place of the creator's name in both the Works Cited entry and the in-text citation.
• Missing Title: If the video doesn't have a title, create a brief description of the video and use that in place of the title. Enclose the description in square brackets.
• Missing Publication Date: If the publication date is not available, use the abbreviation "n.d." (for "no date") in place of the date.

Here are examples of how to handle missing information:

• Missing Creator:

  "The History of the Internet." YouTube, 15 July 2015, .

• Missing Title:

  Smith, John. .

• Missing Publication Date:

  Doe, Jane. "My Life Story." YouTube, n.d., .

Citing Different Types of Videos

The basic MLA citation format can be adapted to cite various types of videos. Here are some specific guidelines for different video types.

Films

To cite a film, include the title of the film, the director, the distributor, and the year of release.

• Format:

  Title of Film. Directed by Director's Name, Distributor, Year of Release.

• Example:

  The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Columbia Pictures, 1994.

TV Shows

To cite a TV show episode, include the episode title, the series title, the season and episode number, the network, and the air date.

• Format:

  "Episode Title." Series Title, season number, episode number, Network, Air Date.

• Example:

  "The Rains of Castamere." Game of Thrones, season 3, episode 9, HBO, 2 June 2013.

Documentaries

To cite a documentary, follow the same format as a film, but specify that it is a documentary.

• Format:

  Title of Documentary. Directed by Director's Name, Distributor, Year of Release.

• Example:

  The Social Dilemma. Directed by Jeff Orlowski, Netflix, 2020.

Advanced Tips for MLA Video Citations

• Consistency: Ensure consistency in your citations. Use the same format for all videos in your Works Cited list.
• Alphabetical Order: Arrange your Works Cited entries in alphabetical order by the first element of the citation (usually the creator's last name).
• Hanging Indent: Use a hanging indent for each entry in your Works Cited list. This means that the first line of each entry is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented.
• Double-Spacing: Double-space your entire Works Cited list.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect Platform Name: Make sure you are using the correct name of the platform (e.g., YouTube instead of "YouTube.com").
• Missing URL: Always include the URL of the video if it is available.
• Incorrect Date Format: Use the correct date format (Day Month Year).
• Inconsistent Formatting: Ensure consistency in your citations.
• Forgetting In-Text Citations: Always include in-text citations when you refer to or quote from a video in your paper.

Tools and Resources for MLA Citations

There are several online tools and resources that can help you create MLA citations for videos:

• Citation Generators: Websites like Citation Machine, EasyBib, and Cite This For Me can automatically generate MLA citations for videos. Simply enter the required information, and the tool will create the citation for you.
• MLA Handbook: The official MLA Handbook is a comprehensive guide to MLA style. It provides detailed instructions and examples for citing various types of sources, including videos.
• Purdue OWL: The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a valuable resource for learning about MLA style. It offers detailed guides and examples for MLA citations.

Conclusion

Citing videos in MLA format is a critical skill for academic writing and research. By following the guidelines and examples provided in this comprehensive guide, you can ensure that you are giving proper credit to the creators of video content and maintaining academic integrity. Remember to pay attention to detail, be consistent in your formatting, and use the available tools and resources to help you create accurate and effective MLA video citations. Whether you're citing a YouTube video, a TED Talk, a film, or a documentary, mastering MLA video citations will enhance the credibility and quality of your work.