YouTube has become a platform loaded with information. YouTube platform comprises educational channels, news channels, DIY channels, Cooking channels, Fitness Channels, sports channel and the list continues. YouTubers keep their respective channels update. You can also watch documentaries on YouTube.
The young generation is more inclined towards YouTube. A few years back, we all used to refer to our books for completing the assignments while nowadays the trend has changed completely.
With the increasing fan following of YouTube, YouTubers are becoming super active. Creating a YouTube channel is quite easy. When it comes to uploading a video on YouTube, here comes the citation in the picture. Citing a book is easier than citing a video. You don’t need to worry. In this article, we are going to provide you with the required information on How to Cite a Youtube Video in APA and MLA Format in simplest terms. We will also tell you How to Cite a Youtube Video in APA, MLA and Chicago Format.
You are required to follow conventions of either MLA or APA style to cite online videos for YouTube. Before getting started with citation, you should check the citation style requirements. It is advisable to incorporate as much description as you can. It will help the readers to know what this video is all about. You must be ready with the required piece of information before you begin to cite a video from YouTube. The utmost requirements are as follows:
- Username, YouTuber’s Full name
- Name of the company who post the content
- Title of the website (YouTube Channel Name)
- Title of the video
- Publisher of the video
- Date of posting the video
- Length or duration of the video
- URL of the video
Now, we are going to explain how to cite a youtube video, how to cite a youtube video in APA Format, how to cite a youtube video in MLA Format? Let us begin with APA Style.
How to Cite a Video in APA Format?
1. Name the YouTuber or publisher
First of all, identify the YouTube Channel Owner or publisher’s name. It is followed by a period.
Blossom.
2. Add the date of posting that video
After the name, mention the date this video is posted on. The format for this should be Year-Month-Day. The date should be written in parentheses.
Blossom. (2019, December 28).
3. Add Name of the Video
Now, identify the title of the video. The first letter of the first word should be in capitals. The title should not have quotation signs.
Blossom. (2019, December 28). 15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom
4. Add the type of File (For video label it Video File)
You need to describe the type of file you’re citing. For video files, you are supposed to indicate within brackets that it is a video file.
Blossom. (2019, December 28). 15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom [Video file].
5. Add Video URL
Here, the video URL comes into the picture. You can write “retrieved by” or “retrieved from” and then add the URL.
Blossom. (2019, December 28). 15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom [Video file]. Retrieved by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGqfWvm4TnQ
How to Cite a Video in MLA Format?
Let’s discuss how to cite a YouTube video in MLA format. An MLA citation is a kind of paragraph with brief information. This citation information helps the reader understand what it means.
1. Write the YouTube channel name or username or publisher’s name
For a YouTube video, citation in MLA format begins with listing the channel name of the publisher followed by a period.
Let’s begin our MLA citation:
Blossom.
This name can be a person’s name or the name of a brand or publication.
2. Title of the video
Next, include the name of the video in quotation marks. This will always be what is listed on the video.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.”
3. Mention format as “Online video”
Here, mention format as “Online Video” means you have to add a video copy. It indicates that you are citing an online video.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” Online video.
4. Mention credit to YouTube
Now, you are supposed to tell your readers from where you found the video. Writing YouTube specifies that it came from YouTube. It should be written in italics followed by a comma.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” Online video. YouTube,
5. Mention the date on Which the Video is Posted
In this step, you are supposed to include the date on which the video is posted. For date the format to be followed is day-month-year.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” Online video. YouTube, 28 December 2019.
6. Mention “web”
On YouTube citation, you need to indicate “web”.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” Online video. YouTube, 28 December 2019. Web.
7. Add the date of retrieval
Retrieval here means the date you made use of this video. If you use a case study after one month and that author changes their observations or recordings six months later, you’re not responsible for your data being outdated or considered false. Even if the YouTuber deletes the YouTube video, or changes their YouTube Channel’s name or changes their privacy settings to be unlisted. Date of retrieval will save you. The format for the date remains the same as day-month-year.
Blossom. “15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” Online video. YouTube, 28 December 2019. Web. 29 February 2020.
How to Cite a YouTube Video in Chicago style?
1. First Mention Video’s name
Chicago style citations are different. Here the video’s name comes first. It should be in quotation marks Video name with YouTube Channel Name and followed by a comma.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.”
2. Mention from where the content is Derived (YouTube)
Now, the label from where the content is Derived. Here it’s YouTube, so label it “YouTube video,” followed by a comma.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” YouTube video,
3. Mention video duration or length
Here, you need to tell the readers how long the video is. The format to be followed is Hours:Minutes: Seconds and followed by a comma.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” YouTube video, 1:54,
4. Mention Credit for the publisher or channel
Now, tell readers who published the video. In case of a Channel or brand mentions their name. If it’s an individual, then write their name. The name should be written within quotation marks.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” YouTube video, 1:54, “Blossom,”
5. Mention Date of Publish
The format to be followed to mention publication date is month-day-year, followed by a comma.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” YouTube video, 1:54, “Blossom,”December 28, 2019,
6. Add the video link
This is the last step. Now, You will include the URL of the video.
“15 Clever Ways to Upcycle Everything Around You!! Recycling Life Hacks and DIY Crafts by Blossom | Blossom.” YouTube video, 1:54, “Blossom,”December 28, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGqfWvm4TnQ
To Wrap Up
Now, you have learned all about citation. If you want to know more do write to us. Stay tuned for more updates!!
