Citing the Unseen: Mastering YouTube Citations in MLA Style

So, you’ve stumbled upon a goldmine of information on YouTube, a captivating lecture, or a crucial piece of evidence for your research paper? Excellent! But now comes the crucial part: giving credit where it’s due. Citing a YouTube video in MLA style is a straightforward process when you understand the fundamental principles. Here’s the breakdown:

The basic format for citing a YouTube video in MLA format is as follows:

Author (or Channel Name). “Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Username, Date of Publication, URL.

Let’s break down each component with a practical example:

Example:

TED. “The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 23 Dec. 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o.

Here’s what makes this citation tick:

• Author/Channel Name: “TED” is the name of the organization that created and posted the video. If an individual created it, use their name.
• Title of Video: “The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown” is the exact title of the video. It’s placed in quotation marks.
• YouTube: This indicates the platform on which the video is hosted. It is italicized as it’s considered a container.
• Uploaded by Username: “uploaded by TED” specifies the username of the channel that uploaded the video. This is important if the author and the uploader are different.
• Date of Publication: “23 Dec. 2010” refers to the date the video was uploaded to YouTube. Follow the day month year format.
• URL: “www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o” provides the direct link to the video, allowing readers to easily access it.

Now, let’s delve into some FAQs to solidify your understanding and tackle some of the trickier citation scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Citing YouTube Videos in MLA

1. What if the video creator and the uploader are different?

This is a common scenario. For example, a student might upload a video of a lecture given by a professor. In this case, cite the video by the creator’s name first, followed by the title, YouTube, then “uploaded by” the uploader’s username.

Example:

Professor Amy Smith. “Introduction to Quantum Physics.” YouTube, uploaded by StudentResearcher123, 15 Sept. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=exampleID.

2. How do I cite a comment on a YouTube video?

Citing a comment follows a slightly different structure. Treat the commenter as the author. Use “Comment on” followed by the video title.

Example:

User42. Comment on “The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown.” YouTube, 23 Dec. 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o.

3. What if the video has no discernible author or channel name?

If no clear author is available, you can use the username of the channel as the author. If even the username is generic and provides no clear indication of authorship, consider whether the video is a credible source. If you decide to use it, begin the citation with the video title.

Example:

“DIY Home Repair Tips.” YouTube, uploaded by HelpfulHints123, 10 Jan. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=exampleID.

4. How do I handle timestamps when referencing a specific part of the video in my text?

To reference a specific moment in the video, add a timestamp in parentheses after the title of the video in your in-text citation. For example:

(TED, “The Power of Vulnerability” 0:45-1:30)

This indicates that you’re referencing the portion of the video between 45 seconds and 1 minute 30 seconds.

5. What if I’m citing a live stream on YouTube?

The format is very similar to a regular YouTube video. Indicate that it’s a live stream in the title and include the date you accessed it.

Example:

GamingGuru. “Live Stream: Elden Ring Speedrun.” YouTube, 12 Feb. 2024, accessed 13 Feb. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=exampleID.

6. Do I need to include the view count in my citation?

No, the view count is generally not included in MLA citations. The most important information is the author/uploader, title, platform, upload date, and URL.

7. What if the YouTube video is no longer available?

If a video has been removed, indicate that it is “no longer available” after the URL in your citation. This informs your reader that you are aware the resource is inaccessible.

Example:

TED. “The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 23 Dec. 2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o. No longer available.

8. How do I cite a YouTube video that is part of a series or playlist?

While MLA doesn’t have a specific format for this, you can include the playlist title in the “Other Contributor” slot. If the series has a unique creator separate from the video uploader, place the series creator’s name in that slot. You can also include the episode number in parentheses after the video title.

Example:

Smith, John. “Episode 3: Building a Birdhouse.” YouTube, uploaded by DIY Channel, 5 Mar. 2024, Series: Woodworking for Beginners, www.youtube.com/watch?v=exampleID.

9. Where does the YouTube citation go in my paper?

The full citation goes in your Works Cited list at the end of your paper. Within the body of your paper, use an in-text citation, typically the author’s name (or shortened title if there’s no author) and the page number (or timestamp if referencing a specific point in the video), enclosed in parentheses.

10. Is it necessary to use the full URL, or can I shorten it?

Always use the full, unabbreviated URL provided by YouTube. This ensures that the reader can directly access the video. Avoid using URL shorteners.

11. What if the video is embedded in another website?

You should still cite the video as a YouTube video, not as part of the website where it is embedded. Focus on the source of the video content itself.

12. How do I cite a YouTube Short?

YouTube Shorts follow the same basic principles as regular YouTube videos. However, you might want to emphasize that it is a “Short” in the title description or in the “Other Contributors” field if necessary for clarity.

Example:

DanceDuo. “Learn the TikTok Dance (Short).” YouTube, uploaded by DanceDuoOfficial, 17 Apr. 2024, www.youtube.com/shorts/exampleID.

Mastering the art of citing YouTube videos in MLA format is crucial for academic integrity and demonstrates your commitment to properly attributing sources. By following these guidelines and addressing these common scenarios, you’ll be well-equipped to integrate YouTube videos seamlessly and ethically into your research. Remember that consistency and accuracy are key! So, go forth and cite with confidence!