How to Reference a YouTube Video in MLA
Referencing YouTube videos in MLA style might seem tricky, but it's straightforward once you understand the key components. Unlike print sources, you need to account for the unique characteristics of online videos. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown, including answers to frequently asked questions.
Basic MLA Format for YouTube Videos:
The core information you need includes the video title, the uploader's name (or channel name), the platform (YouTube), the upload date, and the URL. Here's the general format:
AuthorLastName, AuthorFirstName. "Video Title." *YouTube*, uploaded by UploaderName (or ChannelName), UploadDate, URL.
Example:
Let's say you're referencing a video titled "The History of the Roman Empire" uploaded by Khan Academy on January 15, 2020. The URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=somevideoidhere. Your MLA citation would look like this:
Khan Academy. "The History of the Roman Empire." YouTube, uploaded by Khan Academy, 15 Jan. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=somevideoidhere.
Addressing Common Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding referencing YouTube videos in MLA style, which often appear in "People Also Ask" sections on search engines:
What if the uploader and channel name are different?
If the video is uploaded by someone different from the channel owner (e.g., a guest contributor), list both in the citation. For example:
Smith, John. "Interview with Dr. Jones." YouTube, uploaded by GuestSpeaker, ABCNewsChannel, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anothervideoid.
What if there's no author or uploader listed?
If a clear author or uploader isn't identified, use the channel name in place of the author's last name. If no channel name is available, use the video title in place of the author's last name.
For example:
"Understanding Quantum Physics." YouTube, uploaded by ScienceChannel, 5 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yetanotherid.
How do I cite a specific time in the video?
If you're referencing a specific segment of the video, add a parenthetical note at the end of the citation indicating the time. Use the format (hh:mm:ss) where hh represents hours, mm represents minutes, and ss represents seconds.
Example:
Khan Academy. "The History of the Roman Empire." YouTube, uploaded by Khan Academy, 15 Jan. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=somevideoidhere (00:05:30-00:08:15).
What if the video is a playlist?
When citing a specific video within a playlist, you should still cite the individual video. However, you may optionally include the playlist title in a parenthetical note after the video title.
Example:
PBS. "The American Revolution: Part 1" (American History Playlist). YouTube, uploaded by PBS, 12 Apr. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anotherplaylistvideo.
Where do I put the YouTube citation in my Works Cited page?
Your YouTube citations should be included in your Works Cited page, alphabetized like other sources by the first significant word of the entry (usually the author's last name or channel name).
Remember to always double-check the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or institution, as slight variations might exist depending on the specific MLA edition being used. This guide offers a comprehensive approach for correctly citing YouTube videos in MLA format.
