As more and more information is being disseminated through social media platforms, it has become vital for students, researchers, and other professionals to know how to properly cite online sources in their work. YouTube videos are now being recognized as important sources of information that deserve proper citation in academic works. In this article, we will cover the basics of how to cite a YouTube video in APA and MLA styles.

APA Style

APA style is commonly used in social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. When citing a YouTube video in APA style, you should follow the following format:

Author, A. A. [Screen name]. (Year, Month Day). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from http://xxxxxxxx

To help you understand this format, here is a breakdown of each element:

– Author: The individual or organization responsible for creating the video.
– Screen name: The primary individual or organization who created the video.
– Year, Month Day: The date the video was uploaded.
– Title of video: The title of the video, as it appears on the YouTube page.
– Video file: Indicate that the video is in video format.
– Retrieved from: Include the URL where you accessed the video.

Example:

In-text citation:

(Author, Year)

Reference list:

MisterEpicMann. (2012, June 22). How Animals Eat Their Food [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo

The in-text citation should mention the author’s last name and year of publication, while the reference list should include the complete citation format mentioned above.

MLA Style

MLA style is commonly used in humanities, such as literature, art, and language studies. When citing a YouTube video in MLA style, you should follow this format:

Author’s name. “Title of Video.” Website Name, Upload Date, URL.

Here’s what each element means:

– Author’s name: The name of the person or organization who created the video.
– Title of the video: The title of the video, as it appears on the YouTube page.
– Website name: Specify YouTube as the name of the website.
– Upload date: The date when the video was uploaded.
– URL: Include the URL where you accessed the video.

Example:

In-text citation:

(Author’s name)

Reference list:

MisterEpicMann. “How Animals Eat Their Food.” YouTube, 22 June 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo.

Similarly, the in-text citation should have the author’s last name only, while the reference list should include the complete citation format in the order mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

YouTube videos have become a reliable source of information and entertainment, and as a researcher or student, you may need to cite them in your work. Always remember to adhere to the correct citation format to give credit to the person or organization that created the video. By following the guidelines above, you’ll be able to correctly cite any YouTube video in your academic works regardless of the citation style you use.