Citing a YouTube Video in MLA Style: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
In the digital age, videos have become an essential part of our lives. With the rise of YouTube, sharing and consuming content has become more accessible than ever. However, when it comes to citing videos in academic writing, formatting can be a challenge. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cite a YouTube video in MLA style.
In MLA Style, YouTube Videos are References
The American Psychological Association (APA) style, in which MLA follows, does not consider YouTube videos as sources of information. However, the Washington Post notes that some universities and institutions are following the MLA style. While this is changing, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the format guidelines.
Step-by-Step Guide to Citing a YouTube Video in MLA Style
I. Obtain a Clipping of the Video
The first step in citing a YouTube video in MLA style is to obtain a clipping of the video. You can do this by:
- Visiting the YouTube video page: Go to the YouTube website and search for the video you want to cite.
- Downloading the video: Select the video and click the "Download" button to save it to your computer.
- Cliciling to download: Use the "Clip" feature in the video’s details page to download a clipping of the video. This will give you a smaller version of the video that you can use in your citation.
Table: Obtaining a Clipping of the Video
| Format | File Type | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | MP4 | 10 MB |
| WebM | WebM | 50 MB |
| AVI | AVI | 20 MB |
II. Create a Bibliography Entry
The next step is to create a bibliography entry that includes the clipping of the video. Here’s a sample entry:
Video Title: YouTube Video
Publisher: YouTube
Year:
Access Date:
File Type: *
For example:
- "How to Make a Sandwich: A Step-by-Step Guide" (YouTube, 2020, "Google Classroom")
- Mannes , 2020; youtube.com/watch?v=18jZ4WFrhrA; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18jZ4WFrhrA
III. Format the Citation
To format the citation, you’ll need to remove the file name and media type from the entry. Here’s an example:
- Video Title: How to Make a Sandwich: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Publisher: YouTube
- Year: 2020
- Access Date: *
- File Type: *
Note that the file type is not relevant to the citation, so you can omit it. In MLA style, the citation is typically written in the format "Author’s Last Name, Year of Publication."
IV. Style and Spelling
When citing a YouTube video in MLA style, you’ll need to use the author’s last name followed by the title of the video. Here’s an example:
- "How to Make a Sandwich: A Step-by-Step Guide" (YouTube, 2020, "Google Classroom")
Note that the video title is the main subject of the citation. In MLA style, the video title is typically written in title case, with the first word capitalized and any proper nouns in all capital letters.
Table: Examples of YouTube Video Citations
| Entry | Citation |
|---|---|
| "How to Make a Sandwich: A Step-by-Step Guide" (YouTube, 2020, "Google Classroom") | "Mannes, 2020" |
| "The History of Electric Cars" (YouTube, 2019, "Forbes") | "Forbes, 2019" |
| "How to Make a Simple Cake" (YouTube, 2018, "Taste of Home") | "Taste of Home, 2018" |
Conclusion
Citing a YouTube video in MLA style requires some creativity and attention to detail. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a citation that is accurate and effective. Remember to check the video’s endscreen, where the video title, description, and thumbnail are located, to get the correct citation information.
References
- The Washington Post: "MLA Style for Citations." The Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com.
- APA Style: "MLA Style: Guidelines for Formatting Research Papers." American Psychological Association, 2020, www.apastyle.org/.