
Siting a YouTube video in MLA format can seem daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward.
The first thing to note is that YouTube videos are treated as a type of web page in MLA format.
You'll need to include the title of the video in title case, followed by the name of the channel or creator.
The title of the video is usually the first thing you see when you open the YouTube video, and it's what you'll use to identify the source.
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Citing YouTube Videos
Citing YouTube videos in MLA style is a bit more complicated than other sources, but don't worry, we've got you covered. You can start by listing the title of the video in quotation marks, followed by the name of the website, YouTube, and the name of the YouTube channel or uploader.
For example, if you're citing a video like "Prevent Plagiarism in 5 Steps", the citation would look like this: "Prevent Plagiarism in 5 Steps." YouTube, uploaded by Chegg, 15 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lxBP1LtFDY.
If the uploader's real name is not provided, you should use the account name in the "uploaded by" slot. And if it's not clear who the primary creator or author of a video is, you can omit the Author element and begin the citation with the title of the video.
Here's a list of the basic elements you'll need to cite a YouTube video in MLA style:
- Title of the video (in quotation marks)
- YouTube
- Uploader's name (or account name if not provided)
- Date uploaded
- URL
For example:
- "Title of the Video." YouTube, uploaded by Uploader's Name, Day Month Year, URL.
- "Time Is But a Stubborn Illusion." YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, 24 Mar. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyYqyYAKGC0.
When creating in-text citations for time-based media, such as a video, cite the relevant total time or a particular time span if it displays. For instance, the range of hours, minutes, and seconds you plan to reference. For example: (00:02:15-00:02:35).
Remember, the EasyBib Citation Generator can help you create the right bibliography quickly, and you can download source citations as a Word Doc or a Google Doc.
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In-Text Citations and Formatting
In-text citations for YouTube videos in MLA style are a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. When citing a YouTube video in prose, use the title of the video, enclosed in double quotation marks.
For parenthetical citations, use only the shortened title of the video, also enclosed in double quotation marks. If the title is already short, you can use the full video title in the parenthetical citation. This is important to note, as it can affect how you format your citations.
You can also include the relevant total time or a particular time span if it displays in your in-text citation. For example, if you're referencing a video from 00:02:15 to 00:02:35, you would cite it as (00:02:15-00:02:35).
When creating in-text citations for time-based media, such as a video, it's essential to include the total time or time span if it displays.
Here's a quick reference for in-text citation templates:
- For citations in prose: Use the title of the video in double quotation marks.
- For parenthetical citations: Use only the shortened title of the video in double quotation marks.
- For time-based media: Include the total time or time span if it displays.
By following these guidelines, you'll be able to create accurate and effective in-text citations for your YouTube videos in MLA style.
Here's a table summarizing the key points:
By referencing this table, you'll be able to quickly determine the correct format for your in-text citations.
Citation Examples and Entries
To cite a YouTube video in MLA style, you need to know the title of the video, publication date, uploader's name, and URL. The title of the video should be in title case and enclosed in double quotation marks.
For in-text citations, use the shortened title of the video in parentheses. If the title is already short, you can use the full title in the parenthetical citation. For example: ("World's Largest Horn").
A works-cited-list entry for a YouTube video includes the video title, container title (YouTube), uploader's name, uploaded date, and URL. Here's the template: "Title of the Video." YouTube, uploaded by Uploader's Name, Day Month Year, URL.
For example: "Time Is But a Stubborn Illusion." YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, 24 Mar. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyYqyYAKGC0.
If the uploader's name is not provided, use the account name in the "uploaded by" slot. For example: "World's Largest Horn Shatters Glass." YouTube, uploaded by Mark Rober, 29 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFEB0chiuJA.
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Here are some examples of works-cited-list entries for YouTube videos:
- "Time Is But a Stubborn Illusion." YouTube, uploaded by National Geographic, 24 Mar. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyYqyYAKGC0.
- "World's Largest Horn Shatters Glass." YouTube, uploaded by Mark Rober, 29 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFEB0chiuJA.
- "Birds of Prey 2020 Joker Serena-Safari Song." YouTube, uploaded by Phoenix Entertainment, 9 Jun. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVue1Zy9YzE.
Remember to include the URL of the video in the works-cited-list entry.
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You can cite a YouTube video in MLA style by including the creator's name, title, and URL in the citation. This is a straightforward process, and I've found it to be quite reliable.
The creator's name should be listed as Last Name, First Name, or the username of the creator if it's not clear who the primary creator is. For example, if you're citing a video by Derek Muller, the citation would be: Muller, Derek.
The title of the video should be copied exactly as it appears on YouTube, and the URL should be included in the citation as well. If the creator is unknown, the citation should begin with the title of the video.
Here's an example of how to cite a YouTube video in MLA style:
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Muller, Derek. "The Trillion Dollar Equation." YouTube, uploaded by Veritasium, 27 Feb. 2024, https://youtu.be/A5w-dEgIU1M?si=T_MG83umCjs4Z7aU. Accessed 24 July 2024.
You can also include the date you accessed the video in the citation, which is useful for academic purposes.
If you're citing a video that's part of a series or has multiple contributors, you may want to include the contributors' names in the citation as well. For example:
Our Maternal Home. Written and directed by Janine Windolph, National Film Board of Canada, 2023.
This is a good practice to follow, especially if you're citing a video that's part of a larger project or has multiple creators involved.
Here's a quick reference guide to help you cite YouTube videos in MLA style:
Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it should give you a good starting point for citing YouTube videos in MLA style.
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