Using proper citation in your academic or professional work is necessary because it gives the original creator of the idea due credit. If you do not cite your sources well, no matter which platform or medium you are using, you are likely to end up with a plagiarism report. As the technology evolved and YouTube came about, many students started using videos in their work – and that is why it became important to have different styles in place that can tell us how to cite a YouTube video properly in our own original work.
What is APA & MLA Style
APA and MLA are both different styles of citations that can help you give credit to other’s intellectual and creative work you are using to support your own work. APA format stands for American Psychological Association, and this type of citation is used in works mainly pertaining to science, psychology, and education. MLA format, which is short for Modern Language Association, is made use of by the humanities department.
When it comes to citing YouTube videos, certain rules apply no matter which style you use. More importantly, these rules are also subject to your employer or professor’s standards. Make sure you go through the given prompts and rubrics carefully to find out which citation style you are required or expected to use.
These key points of information should definitely be included:
- YouTuber’s name: You need to mention clearly who created the video, and you can also mention their channel’s name.
- Name of the video: The full title of the video should be mentioned.
- The date the video was posted: In academic papers, the date of when the video was uploaded gives the reader an additional insight with respect to the validity of facts, etc.
- Video URL: You just have to copy and paste the link.
How to cite a YouTube video MLA Style
Here’s how to cite a youtube video in MLA format:
Firstly, you have to mention the name of the user who uploaded the video on YouTube. Some users or owners of the channel may be individuals, while in other cases they may be established businesses. Their name should be followed by a period.For example, if you are citing a video on jellyfish from Nat Geo, the first part of your MLA citation should look like this:
Nat Geo Wild.
After that, you have to add the full and exact name of the video as listed on the site, but in quotation marks.
Thus, after the second part, your citation will look like:
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild“.
Now, ending with a period, you will mention that the video is an online clip.
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild“. Online video clip.
Because you found the online video clip on YouTube, you will have to credit them as well.
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild“. Online video clip. YouTube.
Now, using the day month year format, you have to add the date on which the video was uploaded to YouTube.
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild“. Online video clip. YouTube. 4 October 2018.
In other citations, print is added to indicate the medium of the source being used. Here, the same will be done by adding “Web.”
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild.” Online video clip. YouTube. 4 October 2018. Web.
Many times, content creators may add disclaimers about the relevance of facts or other changes after some time of uploading the video. In order to steer clear of your data being considered outdated, you have to add the date on which you made use of the video.
Nat Geo Wild. “Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild.” Online video clip. YouTube. 4 October 2018. Web. 8 October 2019.
How to cite a YouTube video APA Style
You may find different guides to understand how to cite a YouTube video in APA style as the APA is slightly different, but not by much. This is how to cite a song or even how to cite a movie video as well.Firstly, you have to mention the name of the person or brand that published the video.
Nat Geo Wild.
Now, you have to add the date on which it was uploaded.
Nat Geo Wild. 4 October 2018.
You have to mention the full title of the video, as seen on YouTube, with no quotation marks.
Nat Geo Wild. 4 October 2018. Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild.
Now, you have to mention that it is a video file in brackets.
Nat Geo Wild. 4 October 2018. Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild. [Video file].
The final step is adding the video’s link, as it makes it easier to access the video instantly.
Nat Geo Wild. 4 October 2018. Jellyfish 101 | Nat Geo Wild. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9z8ujpPgUjI.
That is how to APA cite a YouTube video format.
Some Final Words
Citations are an important part of maintaining academic and professional integrity. They add structure and authenticity to your work, making the data more accountable and verifiable as well. And of course, it gives the original creator the credit they deserve, and these formats help you do that. Now that you are aware of both the types of writing, quickly try both of these YouTube video citing styles today!
