Citing unconventional sources like YouTube videos, movies, podcasts, images, and tables can be confusing and challenging. However, proper and consistent citation of these sources is essential to ensure accuracy and provide clarity to your audience, and to meet rigorous academic standards. This guide covers proper citation practices for APA, MLA, Chicago, and Vancouver styles for citing a number of unconventional sources, with examples provided for each. Here's how to cite these non-traditional sources effectively.
How to cite a YouTube video
When citing a YouTube video, include the creator's name or username, video title, publication date, platform name, and URL. Below is an example using the video "How humanity got hooked on coffee - Jonathan Morris".
Style | Template | Example |
APA | [Creator name]. (Year, Month Day). Video title. YouTube. URL | TED-Ed. (2022, March 1). How humanity got hooked on coffee - Jonathan Morris. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXPdwWHCzc4 |
MLA | “Video title.” YouTube, uploaded by Creator name, Date, URL | “How Humanity Got Hooked on Coffee - Jonathan Morris.” YouTube, uploaded by TED-Ed, 1 March 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXPdwWHCzc4. |
Chicago | Creator name. “Video title.” YouTube video, Date. URL | TED-Ed. “How Humanity Got Hooked on Coffee - Jonathan Morris.” YouTube video, March 1, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXPdwWHCzc4. |
Vancouver | Creator name. Video title [Internet]. YouTube; Date [cited YYYY MMM DD]. Available from: URL | TED-Ed. How humanity got hooked on coffee - Jonathan Morris [Internet]. YouTube; 2022 Mar 1 [cited 2024 Dec 12]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXPdwWHCzc4 |
How to cite a movie
Movies require details like the title, director’s name, year of release, and production company. Below is an example using the movie Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson.
Style | Template | Example |
APA | Director name. (Year). Movie title. Production Company. | Gibson, M. (1995). Braveheart. Icon Productions. |
MLA | Movie title. Directed by Director name, Production Company, Year. | Braveheart. Directed by Mel Gibson, Icon Productions, 1995. |
Chicago | Director name. Movie title. Year. Production Company. | Gibson, Mel. Braveheart. 1995. Icon Productions. |
Vancouver | Movie title [motion picture]. Directed by Director name. Production Company; Year. | Braveheart [motion picture]. Directed by Mel Gibson. Icon Productions; 1995. |
How to cite a podcast
When citing a podcast, include the host's name, the episode title, the podcast name, the publication date, and the URL. Below is an example from the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Style | Template | Example |
APA | Host name. (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. episode number) [Audio podcast episode]. Podcast Name. URL | Rogan, J. (2022, October 15). Elon Musk talks innovation (No. 1872) [Audio podcast episode]. The Joe Rogan Experience. https://example.com/podcast-episode |
MLA | “Episode title.” Podcast Name, hosted by Host name, Date, URL | “Elon Musk Talks Innovation.” The Joe Rogan Experience, hosted by Joe Rogan, 15 October 2022, https://example.com/podcast-episode. |
Chicago | Host name. “Episode title.” Podcast Name, episode number, Date. URL | Rogan, Joe. “Elon Musk Talks Innovation.” The Joe Rogan Experience, episode 1872, October 15, 2022. https://example.com/podcast-episode |
Vancouver | Host name. Episode title [Internet]. Podcast Name; Date [cited YYYY MMM DD]. Available from: URL | Rogan J. Elon Musk talks innovation [Internet]. The Joe Rogan Experience; 2022 Oct 15 [cited 2024 Dec 12]. Available from: https://example.com/podcast-episode |
How to cite images
Citing images requires information about the creator, title or description, creation year, and source. Below is an example using a photograph from Unsplash.
Style | Template | Example |
APA | Creator. (Year). Title of image [Description]. Source. URL | Johnson, L. (2020). Sunset over the mountains [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/example-id |
MLA | Creator name. “Image title.” Source, Year, URL | Johnson, Laura. “Sunset Over the Mountains.” Unsplash, 2020, https://unsplash.com/photos/example-id |
Chicago | Creator name. “Image title.” Source. Year. URL | Johnson, Laura. “Sunset Over the Mountains.” Unsplash. 2020. https://unsplash.com/photos/example-id |
Vancouver | Creator name. Image title [Internet]. Source; Year [cited YYYY MMM DD]. Available from: URL | Johnson L. Sunset over the mountains [Internet]. Unsplash; 2020 [cited 2024 Dec 12]. Available from: https://unsplash.com/photos/example-id |
How to cite a table
Citing tables requires the author, title or description, year of publication, and source. Below is an example using a table on population growth statistics.
Style | Template | Example |
APA | Author. (Year). Title of table [Data table]. Source. URL | Smith, J. (2022). Population Growth by Region [Data table]. World Statistics. https://example.com/population-growth |
MLA | Author. “Table title.” Source, Year, URL | Smith, John. “Population Growth by Region.” World Statistics, 2022, https://example.com/population-growth |
Chicago | Author. “Table title.” Source. Year. URL | Smith, John. “Population Growth by Region.” World Statistics. 2022. https://example.com/population-growth |
Vancouver | Author name. Table title [Internet]. Source; Year [cited YYYY MMM DD]. Available from: URL | Smith J. Population growth by region [Internet]. World Statistics; 2022 [cited 2024 Dec 12]. Available from: https://example.com/population-growth |
These templates and examples are a guide to help you accurately cite unconventional sources in different citation styles. There are likely other sources that have not been covered. However, the main principle is to ensure that readers can locate the source that you cite when necessary.
How EminentEdit can Help with Citing Sources
At EminentEdit, we offer proofreading and editing services for every part of your manuscript, including citing unconventional sources. We are a small team of editors experienced in both publishing our own academic work and helping hundreds of academics just like you to submit A-grade academic work.
EminentEdit provides editing and proofreading services that are:
More importantly, we are adaptable to your specific needs. | Get in touch with one of our representatives for help in editing your manuscript We know what you want to say. We help you say it better. |
Our services don't just start with proofreading the final product. It also includes help from the very beginning of your project, such as editing and double-checking your research proposal or paper outline. Our editing services include the following:
Developmental editing to ensure your proposal can be transformed into a manuscript ready for final submission
Substantive editing to improve the quality of your writing on a sentence level
Extensive commentary and recommendations to improve literature review, structure, and arguments
Proofreading to make sure your writing is grammatically correct with proper spelling and punctuation
Proofreading references and annotations
Get in touch through our contact page here: CONTACT US AT EMINENT EDIT.
Cite this EminentEdit article |
Antoine, M. (2024, December 12). Citing Unconventional Sources | YouTube Videos, Podcasts, Etc. EminentEdit. https://www.eminentediting.com/post/citing-unconventional-sources-youtube-videos-podcasts-etc |
Comments