How to Cite a YouTube Video

It’s hard to argue that YouTube has become a treasure trove of information, ranging from educational channels discussing the US Constitution to John Green’s CrashCourse series simplifying complex scholarly subjects. As a result, it has become increasingly common to cite YouTube videos in academic work. Citing YouTube videos correctly is needed to maintain academic integrity and respect intellectual property rights, and it is as important as knowing how to cite a picture. Further in the article, we will guide you through the nuances of referencing YouTube videos across various citation styles, including MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian.

 

General Regulations on Which Details to Include in a Video Citation

When citing a YouTube video, it’s necessary to include certain key details to make a properly-structured citation, that allows readers to easily locate and look up the video. Regardless of the citation style you are using, several critical pieces of information should always be included:

1. Video’s Title: This is perhaps the most important element. The title of the video provides immediate insight into the content of the video and is essential for your readers to identify the video you are referencing. Make sure that the title is exact and matches what is listed on YouTube.
2. Uploader’s Name (or Username): The name of the individual or organization who uploaded the video is necessary. This could be the actual name of a person (e.g., John Green), a username (which may not be a real name), or the name of an entity (like CrashCourse). Citing the uploader acknowledges the source of the information and gives credit to the content creator.
3. Date of Upload: Including the upload date is important because it indicates when the content was made available on the platform. This is particularly useful for time-sensitive or evolving topics, where the date of the video can impact its context and relevance.
4. URL: The web address of the directs the reader to the exact source of your information. URLs should be copied accurately for them to lead specififcally to the video in question and can be formatted using a URL citation machine. Given that URLs can be lengthy, some citation styles may have specific guidelines on how to format or shorten them.
5. Video’s Duration: If possible, include the duration of the video. This information can give your readers an idea of how extensive the content is. Ater all, a two-hour documentary offers a different depth of information compared to a five-minute explanatory video.

If you include these details in your citation, you will make your reference clear and easy to follow. This not only aids in maintaining academic integrity but also demonstrates respect for the original content creator’s work. These details form the backbone of a proper citation for a YouTube video, making your academic or research work well-supported and verifiable.

Citing a YouTube Video in MLA 9

The MLA 9 format, preferred in humanities, has a specific structure for citing YouTube videos:

• Author’s Name. “Title of the Video.” YouTube, uploaded by Username, date of upload, URL.

For in-text citations, you should include the author’s name or the video’s title in parentheses. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, you only need to include the title in the citation. For example, a full citation might be:

And an in-text citation would be:

Known Author: (Green 06:15-10:45)

Unknown Author: (“Crash Course US History”) or (“Crash Course US History” 06:15-10:45)).

Citing a YouTube Video in APA

In APA format, used primarily in the behavioral and social sciences, the citation structure for YouTube videos is:

• Author’s Last Name, F.M. [Username]. (Year, Month Day). Title of the video [Video file]. YouTube. URL

For in-text citations, include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If the author’s name isn’t available, use the first few words of the video title. For example, a full citation might be:

And an in-text citation would be:

(Green, 2013) or (“Crash Course,” 2013).

Reference Structure to Cite YouTube Videos in Chicago

Chicago-style citation for a YouTube video is:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Video.” YouTube video, length. Date of upload. URL.

In-text citations in Chicago style typically include the last name of the author or screen name, year of publication, and a timestamp (especially if you took a specific quote/piece of information). If the author’s name is not mentioned in the text, include it in the citation. For example, a full citation might be:

Green, John. “Crash Course US History.” YouTube video, 15:03. July 24, 2013. www.youtube.com/linktothevideo.

And an in-text citation would be:

(Green, 2013, 4:06).

Structure to Cite YouTube Videos in Turabian

Turabian style, similar to Chicago but more common in the humanities and social sciences, has the following format for citing YouTube videos:

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Year. “Title of Video.” Precise Posting Date. Type of content, video length in minutes. URL.

For in-text citations in Turabian, use the author’s last name and the year of publication, similar to the Chicago style. For example, a full citation might be:

Green, John. 2013. “Crash Course US History.” July 24, 2013. YouTube Video, 5:45. www.youtube.com/linktothevideo.

And an in-text citation would be:

(Green 2013).

These detailed guidelines and examples should help in correctly citing YouTube videos and making appropriate in-text citations in MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian styles.

Conclusion

Citing YouTube videos correctly in your academic work is crucial. The key is to provide enough information for your readers to locate the video, no matter what citation style you’re using MLA, APA, Chicago, or Turabian. Resources like CitationMachine.net can be handy, especially for generating in-text citations. Remember, proper citation not only shows academic diligence but also respects the creators’ intellectual property, be it a crash course on US History, a TED Talk, or an evening news program.

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