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MLA Style: Basics

This guide is intended to help you cite sources in MLA style, avoid plagiarism, learn what MLA style is and includes, find examples of MLA style, lead you to campus resources that can help you cite sources in MLA, and more.

Film & YouTube

YouTube 

Author Unknown

General Format

"Title." YouTube, uploaded by ScreenName, Date, URL.

For Example

"How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Part 1." YouTube, uploaded by simplydaisy, 16 Mar. 2015, youtu.be/aAxGTnVNJiE.

In-Text Citation

("How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners" 00:01:25 - 00:02:00)

Author Known

General Format

Author [@handle]. "Title." YouTube, Date, URL.

For Example

Patel, Suraj [@SurajFineArts - Abstract ART]. "Acrylic Flower Painting / Using Palette Knife / Easy & Simple / 365 Days Challenge (Day#181)." YouTube, 23 Apr. 2021, youtu.be/VeUF00Yk67Q.

In-Text Citation

(Patel)

Film

According to the MLA Style website, the way you cite a film depends on what you are exploring. According to the MLA Style website, "Films are collaborative works, so how you cite them depends on the focus of your discussion. If you are focusing on the director’s choices, begin your works-cited-list entry with the director’s name. If you are discussing various aspects of the film—such as the story, the actor’s performances, and the director’s choices—begin your entry with the film’s title. As always, key your in-text citation to the first element of the entry."

Not viewed through an app

General Format

Title. Directed by Director, Production Company, Date.

Director, director. Title. Production Company, Date.

For Example

Avengers: Endgame. Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, Marvel Studios, 2019.

Russo, Anthony, and Joe Russo, directors. Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios, 2019.

Zhao, Chloé, director. Nomadland. Highwayman Films / Hear/Say Productions / Cor Cordium Production, 2020.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

(Avengers: Endgame)

(Zhao)

Citation in Prose

The movie Avengers: Endgame is...

Anthony Russo's and Joe Russo's vision for Avengers: Endgame...

Zhao, who won an Oscar for her film Nomadland,...

Viewed through an app (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

General Format

Title. Production Company, Date. App's Name app.

For Example

12 Years a Slave. Regency Enterprises / River Road Entertainment / Plan B Entertainment / New Regency Productions / Film4 Productions, 2013. Hulu app.

First They Killed My Father. Jolie Pas, 2017. Netflix app.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

(12 Years a Slave)

(First They Killed My Father)

Citation in Prose

A winner of three Oscars, 12 Years a Slave...

The film First They Killed My Father is based on Loung Ung's life growing up under the cruel regime of the Khmer Rouge...

Television Episodes

Citing an Entire Television Show

General Format

Show Title. Created by Creator, Television Station.

For Example

Being Mary Jane. Created by Mara Brock Akil, BET.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

(Being Mary Jane)

Citation in Prose

The BET series, Being Mary Jane, ....

Citing One Episode

General Format

"Episode Title." Show Title, created by Creator, season #, episode #, Production Company / Television Station, Aired Date.

For Example

"Girls Night In." Being Mary Jane, created by Mara Brock Akil, season 1, episode 2, Akil Productions / Breakdown Productions / BET, 14 Jan. 2014.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

("Girls Night In")

Citation in Prose

Gabrielle Union, star of Being Mary Jane, gave an impressive performance in the episode "Girls Night In" that explored...

Viewed through an app (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

(Add info about using creators, directors, etc. depending on what you are discussing.)

General Format

"Episode Title." Show Title, created by Creator, season #, episode #, Television Station, Aired Date. App Name app.

For Example

"Chapter One: Pilot." Jane The Virgin, created by Jennie Snyder Urman, season 1, episode 1, The CW, 13 Oct. 2014. Netflix app.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

("Chapter One: Pilot")

Citation in Prose

Jane Villanueva...in the pilot "Chapter One: Pilot"...

Viewed on a website

(Add info about using creators, directors, etc. depending on what you are discussing.)

General Format

"Episode Title." Show Title, created by Creator, season #, episode #, Television Station, Aired Date. Website URL.

For Example

"Chapter One: Pilot." Jane The Virgin, created by Jennie Snyder Urman, season 1, episode 1, The CW, 13 Oct. 2014. Netflix www.netflix.com.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

("Chapter One: Pilot")

Citation in Prose

Jane Villanueva...in the pilot "Chapter One: Pilot"...

Viewed on DVD, Blu Ray, or other physical media

General Format

"Episode Title." Year Aired. Show Title, directed by Director, episode #, Television Station, Year Released, disc #. Format.

For Example

Note: In the example below the episode was aired and released on DVD in the same year.

"Mystery Spot." Supernatural: Season 3, directed by Kim Manners, episode 11, 2008, disc 4. DVD.

In-Text Citation

Parenthetical Citation

("Mystery Spot")

Citation in Prose

Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles give hysterical performances in the Groundhog Day-inspired episode "Mystery Spot."