How To Cite A Show In Mla

Citing sources accurately and consistently is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit to the original creators. When referencing a show, whether it's a TV series, a film, or a theatrical performance, using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format ensures clarity and credibility. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite a show in MLA, covering various types of shows and platforms.

Basic Principles of MLA Citation

Before diving into specific examples, let's establish the core principles of MLA citation:

• Author: The primary creator or contributor. For a show, this could be the director, writer, or creator.
• Title of Source: The name of the show, film, or series.
• Title of Container: The larger work that contains the source. For example, a TV series or a streaming platform.
• Other Contributors: Actors, producers, or anyone else who played a significant role.
• Version: The specific version or edition, if applicable.
• Number: Episode number, season number, or act and scene number.
• Publisher: The production company or distributor.
• Publication Date: The original release date.
• Location: Where the show can be accessed, such as a streaming service or DVD.

Citing a TV Series Episode

When citing a specific episode of a TV series, include the following elements:

"Episode Title." TV Series Title, season number, episode number, Production Company, Original Release Date.

Example:

"The Dinner Party." The Office, season 4, episode 13, Deedle-Dee Productions, 10 Apr. 2008.

Explanation:

• "The Dinner Party": The title of the specific episode.
• The Office: The title of the TV series.
• season 4, episode 13: Indicates the season and episode number.
• Deedle-Dee Productions: The production company.
• 10 Apr. 2008: The original release date of the episode.

If you watched the episode on a streaming service, include the platform as the location:

"The Dinner Party." The Office, season 4, episode 13, Deedle-Dee Productions, 10 Apr. 2008. Netflix.

Citing an Entire TV Series

To cite an entire TV series, focus on the main title and contributors:

TV Series Title. Created by Creator's Name, Production Company, Year.

Example:

Stranger Things. Created by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, Netflix, 2016-present.

Explanation:

• Stranger Things: The title of the TV series.
• Created by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer: The creators of the series.
• Netflix: The streaming platform and distributor.
• 2016-present: The years the series has been running.

Citing a Film

Citing a film requires the following information:

Film Title. Directed by Director's Name, performances by Lead Actors, Production Company, Year.

Example:

Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, performances by Song Kang-ho, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam, Neon, 2019.

Explanation:

• Parasite: The title of the film.
• Directed by Bong Joon-ho: The director of the film.
• performances by Song Kang-ho, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam: The lead actors.
• Neon: The production company and distributor.
• 2019: The release year.

If you watched the film on a streaming service, include the platform as the location:

Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, performances by Song Kang-ho, Choi Woo-shik, and Park So-dam, Neon, 2019. Hulu.

Citing a Theatrical Performance

Citing a live theatrical performance involves identifying the key contributors and the specifics of the performance you attended:

Play Title. Written by Playwright's Name, directed by Director's Name, performances by Lead Actors, Theater, City, Date of Performance.

Example:

Hamilton. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail, performances by Miguel Cervantes, Krystal Joy Brown, and Mandy Gonzalez, Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York, 22 Oct. 2023.

Explanation:

• Hamilton: The title of the play.
• Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda: The playwright.
• directed by Thomas Kail: The director.
• performances by Miguel Cervantes, Krystal Joy Brown, and Mandy Gonzalez: The lead actors.
• Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York: The location of the performance.
• 22 Oct. 2023: The date you attended the performance.

Citing a Documentary

Documentaries can be cited similarly to films, but with additional focus on the key contributors:

Documentary Title. Directed by Director's Name, Production Company, Year.

Example:

The Social Dilemma. Directed by Jeff Orlowski, Exposure Labs, 2020.

Explanation:

• The Social Dilemma: The title of the documentary.
• Directed by Jeff Orlowski: The director.
• Exposure Labs: The production company.
• 2020: The release year.

If you watched the documentary on a streaming service, include the platform as the location:

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

Citing a Web Series

Web series, which are typically distributed online, require specific attention to their online presence:

"Episode Title." Web Series Title, season number, episode number, Creator's Name, Production Company, Date, URL.

Example:

"Pilot." High Maintenance, season 1, episode 1, Created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, Janky Clown Productions, 11 Nov. 2012, vimeo.com/53039586.

Explanation:

• "Pilot": The title of the specific episode.
• High Maintenance: The title of the web series.
• season 1, episode 1: Indicates the season and episode number.
• Created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair: The creators of the series.
• Janky Clown Productions: The production company.
• 11 Nov. 2012: The release date of the episode.
• vimeo.com/53039586: The URL where the episode can be found.

Citing a Streaming Service

When the streaming service is central to your citation (e.g., when discussing the platform itself), cite it as the container:

Streaming Service Name.

Example:

Netflix.

Explanation:

• Netflix: The name of the streaming service.

You can include this in your Works Cited list if you are discussing the streaming service as a cultural or business entity.

Citing Multiple Episodes from the Same Series

If you cite multiple episodes from the same series, you can save space by citing the series once and then citing each episode individually, referring back to the series citation:

Series Citation:

The Office. Created by Greg Daniels, Deedle-Dee Productions, 2005-2013.

Episode Citations:

"Pilot." The Office, season 1, episode 1, 24 Mar. 2005.
"The Dinner Party." The Office, season 4, episode 13, 10 Apr. 2008.

Explanation:

• The series is cited once with the overall details.
• Each episode is then cited with its specific details, referring back to the main series citation.

Additional Tips for MLA Citations

• Consistency: Maintain a consistent format throughout your paper.
• Accuracy: Double-check all details, including titles, names, and dates.
• Hanging Indent: In your Works Cited list, use a hanging indent for each entry. The first line of the citation is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
• Alphabetical Order: Arrange your Works Cited list in alphabetical order by the first word of each entry (usually the author's last name or the title).
• Omit "A," "An," or "The": When alphabetizing, ignore initial articles like "A," "An," or "The."
• Use MLA Handbook as a Reference: The MLA Handbook is the definitive guide for MLA formatting. Consult it for any specific questions or unique citation scenarios.

Examples of Common Scenarios

1. Citing a TV episode from a DVD:

   "Hush." Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 4, episode 10, Mutant Enemy, 14 Dec. 1999. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Fourth Season, 20th Century Fox, 2003.
   

2. Citing a film with multiple directors:

   Avengers: Endgame. Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, performances by Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson, Marvel Studios, 2019.
   

3. Citing a theatrical performance with a specific adaptation:

   A Christmas Carol. Written by Charles Dickens, adapted by Patrick Barlow, directed by Michael Wilson, performances by Jefferson Mays, Nederlander Theatre, New York, 21 Nov. 2022.
   

4. Citing a documentary series:

   Planet Earth II. Narrated by David Attenborough, BBC Earth, 2016.
   

5. Citing a web series episode with no named author:

   "Chapter 1." Carmilla, season 1, episode 1, SmokeBomb Entertainment, 19 Aug. 2014, youtube.com/watch?v=K9BF5CzUa9A.
   

Understanding Container Titles

In MLA, understanding the concept of "containers" is crucial. A container is a larger work that holds the source you are citing. For example:

• For a TV episode, the container is the TV series.
• For a short film on YouTube, the container is YouTube.
• For a song on an album, the container is the album.

Always identify the container and include it in your citation. This helps readers locate the source accurately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing Information: Ensure you include all necessary information, such as the director, production company, and release date.
• Incorrect Formatting: Pay close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and the order of elements.
• Inconsistent Style: Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your paper.
• Failure to Cite: Always cite your sources, even if you are paraphrasing or summarizing.
• Using Outdated Information: Verify that your information is current and accurate.

Tools and Resources for MLA Citation

• MLA Handbook: The official guide to MLA style.
• Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab): A comprehensive resource for MLA formatting and citation.
• Citation Generators: Tools like Citation Machine, EasyBib, and Zotero can help you create citations, but always double-check their accuracy.

Conclusion

Mastering MLA citation for shows is essential for academic integrity and effective communication. By following the guidelines and examples provided, you can accurately and consistently cite TV series, films, theatrical performances, documentaries, and web series. Remember to pay attention to detail, maintain consistency, and consult the MLA Handbook for any specific questions. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original creators but also enhances the credibility and reliability of your work.