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How to Cite a YouTube Video

YouTube videos are also referred to as video files and should be cited as such. A YouTube video provides a visual reference for a paper and can often give an alternative perspective. The Modern Language Association (MLA), a citation style for humanities papers, has exact rules on citing video files whereas the American Psychological Association (APA) uses its own citation format for papers that follow that style. Papers written in other subjects can use MLA or APA as well, according to the paper's citation guidelines.

Instructions

- 1
  Cite the creator and upload date in parentheses for APA in-text citations. For example: (Ramen Records, 2011).
- 2
  Cite the creator only for MLA in-text citations. For example: (The CW).
- 3
  List the URL, video title, "YouTube", access and creation dates for MLA citations. For example: http://www.youtube.com/paramoremonster. "Monster" YouTube. 4 July 2011. Web. 1 August 2011. The creation date is the upload date while the access date is the date that you watched the video.
- 4
  Cite the creator, creation date, video title and URL in APA citations. For example: The CW Network. (2011 July 29). Ringer Trailer [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/user/thecw/ringer.

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