As a writer, I often find myself needing to cite various sources in my research papers and articles. One source that I frequently come across is YouTube videos. However, citing YouTube videos in MLA format can be a bit tricky. In this article, I will guide you through the process of citing YouTube videos in MLA style, providing detailed examples along the way.
Step 1: Gathering Information
Before you start citing a YouTube video, it is important to gather all the necessary information. Here are the key elements you need to collect:
- Author’s Name: If the video has an individual creator, start by noting down their name. If the author’s name is not available, you can use the username or the name of the channel.
- Title of the Video: Write down the exact title of the video. Make sure to include any subtitles or alternative titles.
- Title of the Website: In this case, the website is YouTube. Write down the name of the website in italics.
- Publisher: YouTube is owned by Google, so you can consider Google as the publisher of the video.
- URL: Copy the URL of the video from the address bar of your web browser.
- Date of Publication: Note the date when the video was uploaded or published on YouTube. If the date is not available, you can use the date you accessed the video.
Step 2: Formatting the Citation
Now that you have gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to format the citation. In MLA style, the general format for citing a YouTube video is as follows:
Last Name, First Name of the Author/Username. "Title of the Video." Website Name, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL.
Example:
Doe, John. "The Importance of Renewable Energy." YouTube, Google, 5 May 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg.
As you can see in the example, the author’s name is followed by a period. The title of the video is enclosed in quotation marks. The name of the website is italicized and followed by a comma. The publisher is listed next, followed by the date of publication. Finally, the URL of the video is enclosed in angle brackets (<>) and followed by a period.
Step 3: In-Text Citation
In MLA style, you also need to provide in-text citations to acknowledge the sources of your information. When citing a YouTube video, you can use the author’s name or the username in parentheses. Place the citation after the referenced information or at the end of the sentence.
Example:
I found a helpful tutorial on creating citations (Doe).
Conclusion
Citing YouTube videos in MLA format may seem complex at first, but with the right information and formatting guidelines, it becomes much easier. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your YouTube video citations meet the MLA style requirements. Remember to provide accurate and complete information for each element of the citation, and always double-check your citations for accuracy. Happy citing!