MLA (Modern Language Association) citations are commonly used in academic writing to give credit to the original sources of information. One common challenge is how to cite sources from online platforms like YouTube. In this article, I will guide you through the process of MLA citing a YouTube video, providing step-by-step instructions and personal commentary to help you understand and apply this citation format.
Step 1: Identify the Core Elements
Before we start citing the YouTube video, it’s important to identify the core elements required for an MLA citation. These elements include:
- Author’s name
- Title of the video
- Title of the YouTube channel
- Publication date
- URL (optional, but recommended)
Having these elements at hand will make the citation process smoother and more accurate.
Step 2: Begin with the Author’s Name
The first element to include in the citation is the author’s name. In the case of a YouTube video, the author is typically the individual or group responsible for creating the video content. If the author’s name is not available, you can use the username or channel name instead. Include the last name followed by a comma and the first name.
Last Name, First Name.
For example, if the author’s name is John Smith, the format would be:
Smith, John.
Step 3: Add the Title of the Video
The next element to include is the title of the YouTube video. Enclose the title in quotation marks and capitalize the first letter of each significant word. Italicize the title if you are typing it on a computer or underline it if you are writing by hand.
"Title of the Video."
For instance, if the title of the video is “The Science of Climate Change,” the format would be:
"The Science of Climate Change."
Step 4: Include the Title of the YouTube Channel
After the title of the video, include the title of the YouTube channel in italics, with all significant words capitalized.
YouTube Channel Title,
For example, if the YouTube channel’s title is “Science Explorers,” the format would be:
Science Explorers,
Step 5: Add the Publication Date
The publication date helps readers locate the specific version of the video you are citing. It usually appears below the video or in the video description. If a specific date is not available, you can use the year the video was uploaded.
Publication Date,
For instance, if the video was published on March 15, 2022, the format would be:
15 March 2022,
Step 6: Include the URL (Optional)
While the URL is optional in MLA citations, it is highly recommended to include it. The URL provides direct access to the YouTube video and allows readers to easily locate the source.
URL:
For example, if the URL of the video is “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123,” the format would be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123
Step 7: Organize the Citation
Now that we have all the necessary elements, let’s organize the citation in the correct format:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Video." YouTube Channel Title, Publication Date, URL.
Using our previous examples, the complete MLA citation for the YouTube video would be:
Smith, John. "The Science of Climate Change." Science Explorers, 15 March 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123.
Conclusion
MLA citing a YouTube video may seem challenging at first, but by following these step-by-step instructions and keeping the core elements in mind, you can easily create accurate citations. Remember to personalize the citation with the specific details of the video you are referencing. By acknowledging and giving credit to the creators of the YouTube videos we use, we contribute to the integrity and transparency of our own academic work.