Table of Contents

Citing YouTube: The Definitive MLA Guide for the Savvy Scholar

So, you’ve unearthed a gem on YouTube – a video so insightful, so perfectly aligned with your argument that it demands inclusion in your academic work. Excellent choice. But navigating the citation minefield can be daunting, especially with the ever-shifting sands of online content. Fear not, aspiring academic! This guide provides a comprehensive, crystal-clear breakdown of how to quote a YouTube video in MLA format, ensuring your sources are impeccable and your arguments shine.

In a nutshell, to cite a YouTube video in MLA format, you’ll need the following information: the creator’s name (or channel name if a personal name isn’t available), the video title, the platform (“YouTube”), the date of publication, and the URL. The basic format looks like this:

Last Name, First Name or Channel Name. “Title of Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name (if different than the creator), Date Published, URL.

Now, let’s dissect that format and delve into the nuances, armed with examples to conquer any citation conundrum.

Deconstructing the MLA YouTube Citation

Each element in the citation plays a crucial role, ensuring your reader can locate and verify your source. Let’s break it down:

Author/Creator

This is the person or entity responsible for creating the video. It can be an individual, a company, or a channel name.

Individual Creator: If the video is clearly attributed to an individual, use their full name, last name first, followed by a comma and their first name. For example: Smith, Jane.
Channel Name as Creator: If no specific individual is credited, use the channel name as the author. This is perfectly acceptable and often necessary for larger channels or institutional accounts. For example: TED.
Username vs. Real Name: If the username is different from the real name, prioritize the real name if known. If only the username is available, use it. For example: If “JaneSmith” is the username but the channel identifies her as Jane Smith, use Smith, Jane.

Video Title

Enclose the video title in quotation marks. Capitalize the first letter of each main word in the title (except articles, prepositions, and conjunctions, unless they are the first word).

Example: “The Art of Argumentation.”

Platform

Indicate that the video is hosted on YouTube by italicizing the platform name.

Example: YouTube

Uploaded By (Optional)

If the channel name that uploaded the video differs from the creator’s name, include “uploaded by” followed by the channel name after the YouTube platform indication.

Example: YouTube, uploaded by TED.

Date Published

Provide the full date the video was published on YouTube. Use the format: Day Month Year. Abbreviate months longer than four letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.).

Example: 15 Sept. 2023.

URL

Include the direct URL to the YouTube video. This allows readers to easily access the source.

Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Assembling the Citation

Putting it all together, here’s how a typical YouTube video citation in MLA format should look:

Smith, Jane. “The Art of Argumentation.” YouTube, 15 Sept. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ.

Citing a Specific Time Stamp

Sometimes, you need to draw attention to a specific segment of the video. In this case, you can include a timestamp in your in-text citation.

Example: (Smith 00:02:15-00:02:30) – This indicates that the cited information is located between 2 minutes 15 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds of the video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions and answers about citing YouTube videos in MLA format:

1. How do I cite a YouTube video if the author is an organization?

Use the organization’s name as the author. For example: National Geographic. “The Secret Life of Octopuses.” YouTube, 20 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wiiNZMPiKo.

2. What if the video has no clear author or creator?

Use the channel name as the author. Be sure that the channel is the true source of the content, and not simply re-uploading content from elsewhere.

3. Where do I find the publication date of a YouTube video?

The publication date is typically displayed below the video title on the YouTube page.

4. How do I handle a video that has been removed from YouTube after I cited it?

In this rare instance, you would still include the citation with as much information as you have. You can add a note after the URL indicating that the video is no longer available. For example: (Video removed).

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

No, the view count is not a standard element in an MLA citation for YouTube videos.

6. Should I include the length of the video in my citation?

No, the length of the video is not typically included in an MLA citation.

7. How do I cite a YouTube comment?

Citing a YouTube comment is similar to citing a social media post. Use the commenter’s username as the author, enclose the comment in quotation marks, specify “Comment on [Video Title]” and then the remaining information.

Example: CoolGamerDude. “This video is awesome!” Comment on “The Art of Argumentation.” YouTube, 16 Sept. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ.

8. What if a YouTube video is part of a series?

If the video is part of a numbered series, you can include the series title and episode number in the citation.

Example: Smith, Jane. “The Art of Argumentation, Episode 3: Logical Fallacies.” YouTube, 15 Sept. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ.

9. How do I cite a YouTube livestream?

Cite a YouTube livestream the same way you would cite a regular YouTube video, but specify that it is a “Livestream.” Include the date the livestream was broadcast.

Example: Smith, Jane. “Live Q&A on Research Methods.” YouTube Livestream, 22 Oct. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=examplelivestream.

10. Do I need to italicize the channel name?

No, only the platform “YouTube” is italicized.

11. What if the URL is very long and complicated?

You can use a URL shortener (like bit.ly or tinyurl.com) to create a shorter, more manageable URL. However, be sure to use a reputable URL shortener and check that the shortened URL leads to the correct YouTube video.

12. Are there any online citation generators that can help me cite YouTube videos?

Yes, there are many online citation generators that can assist you in creating MLA citations for YouTube videos. However, always double-check the generated citation for accuracy, as these tools can sometimes make mistakes. It’s better to understand the principles so you can ensure the citation is correct, regardless of the tool used.

By following this comprehensive guide and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite YouTube videos in your academic work, adding credibility and clarity to your research. Remember that consistent and accurate citations are a cornerstone of academic integrity! Now go forth and conquer those research papers!