Introduction
As more people turn to YouTube as a primary source of information or entertainment, citing online videos in APA style becomes increasingly important. Properly citing online visual content, such as YouTube videos, not only ensures academic integrity but it also helps readers locate and evaluate referenced materials. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite a YouTube video in APA style. We will discuss the basic format for citing online videos, how to include a timestamp, how to cite a YouTube channel or user, and best practices for accurate and meaningful citations.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Cite a YouTube Video in APA Style
To cite a YouTube video in an APA-style reference list, the basic format follows:
Author, A.A. [Screen name]. (Year, month day). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx
For example, to cite a YouTube video from the channel TED as a reference, the citation should look like this:
TED. (2017, October 23). What doctors should know about gender identity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR4xu6fZMk
When citing a specific timestamp or timestamp range within a YouTube video, begin by adding the minutes and seconds at which the referenced content begins and ends. Here’s an example:
Author, A.A. [Screen name]. (Year, month day). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx?t=mm:ss
If the cited information begins at 12 minutes and 30 seconds into the video, and lasts for 1 minute and 45 seconds, the citation should look like this:
TED. (2017, October 23). What doctors should know about gender identity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR4xu6fZMk&t=12:30-14:15
Additionally, when the author or the uploader of a video is identified as an organization or a group, write their names in full, except for articles (e.g., a, an, and the).
Citation Made Easy: How to Properly Add YouTube Videos to an APA Reference List
To ensure the accuracy of YouTube video citations in APA style, it is important to verify key information about the video, such as the upload date, uploader name, and video title. When citing the video title, it should be capitalized according to title case rules. Italicize the title of the video and use double quotation marks for any reference to specific parts of the video.
For instance, consider the following example of properly cited YouTube video with all necessary details.
Author, A.A. [Screen name]. (Year, month day). Title of video [Video file]. Retrieved from http://xxxxx
James Charles. (2018, November 24). Doing Kylie Jenner’s Halloween Makeup [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oq7HKoGZAM
It is also important to avoid common mistakes and errors when citing a YouTube video in APA style. One of the most common errors is to confuse the video content creator with the uploader. Always use the name of the video content creator as the primary author of the source. In instances where the uploader’s name differs from the video content creator’s name, enclose the uploader’s name in [ ] after the title.
The Correct Way to Cite YouTube Videos in Your APA Paper: A Comprehensive Tutorial
Integrating references to a citation of a YouTube video in an APA-style paper requires the use of in-text citations. Use in-text citations for a direct quote or paraphrase which must match with the reference list citation. Direct quotes should be enclosed in quotation marks, and the page or paragraph number for the source should be included.
Here’s an example of an in-text citation:
According to James Charles (2018), “The truth always comes out in the end” (07:32).
An alternate approach includes the use of signal phrases that dictate the flow of an in-text citation as they help to improve the context of the citation and demonstrate the relevance to your topic. The following example demonstrates this technique.
James Charles video “Doing Kylie Jenner’s Halloween Makeup” (2018) discusses his approach to creating a unique makeup look that mirrors the Halloween theme.
APA Style for YouTube Videos: A Guide to Accurately Citing Online Visual Content
APA style guidelines for citing online videos, including YouTube videos, have some variations and exceptions. When citing videos created by organizations and groups, the organization’s name is written in full. Additionally, if the publisher name differs from the title of the website, include the author. If the video was retrieved from a search engine, provide the search engine name and the homepage URL instead of the video’s direct link. For other types of videos, such as TED Talks or Vimeo videos, there are different rules to follow. Here an example of a TED Talk cited in APA style:
Author, A.A. (Year, Month Day). Title of talk [Video file]. Retrieved from URL
Cain, S. (2012, March 2). The power of introverts [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en
How to Cite YouTube Videos in APA: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Reference List Entry
In summary, use the following tips and tricks to improve the accuracy and quality of an APA reference list entry for a YouTube video:
– Verify key information, such as the authors, titles, and upload dates
– Use the correct capitalization and punctuation, including italics and quotation marks
– Avoid common mistakes when citing the video uploader or content creator
– Use in-text citations and signal phrases to make the citation more meaningful and relevant to the paper
– Follow specific guidelines for citing other types of online videos, such as TED Talks or Vimeo videos.
Conclusion
In conclusion, citing a YouTube video in APA style is a crucial aspect of academic writing in today’s digital age. Proper citations not only help to establish academic integrity, but it also gives credit to the content creators and enables readers to track down and verify the referenced materials. To ensure accurate and meaningful citations, follow the step-by-step guide outlined in this article. Additionally, utilize the tips and tricks to improve the accuracy and quality of your reference list entries for YouTube videos. By implementing these best practices, you can ensure that your APA-style papers cite online visual content with precision and efficiency.