Master the Art of Citing: How to Cite a Documentary MLA Like a Pro!
Citing documentaries in MLA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. Properly crediting these sources is essential for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism in research papers and essays.
To cite a documentary in MLA format, include the title in italics, followed by the director's name, the production company, and the year of release. For in-text citations, use the documentary's title in parentheses. This format ensures clear attribution and allows readers to easily locate the full source information in the Works Cited list.
MLA citation style has evolved to accommodate various media types, including streaming platforms and online documentaries. Understanding these nuances helps writers accurately reference their sources and strengthens the credibility of their work.
MLA Citation Basics
MLA style provides guidelines for citing sources in academic writing. Proper citation is crucial for acknowledging others' work and avoiding plagiarism. The Modern Language Association regularly updates its handbook to address evolving research practices.
Understanding MLA Style
MLA style uses a simple author-page format for in-text citations. When quoting or paraphrasing, include the author's last name and page number in parentheses. For example: (Smith 45).
If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number: Smith argues that "documentaries shape public opinion" (45).
For sources without page numbers, like documentaries, use the creator's last name: (Burns).
When citing a documentary with multiple creators, use the first listed name or the most relevant contributor.
Formatting the Works Cited Page
The Works Cited page appears at the end of the paper. Start on a new page and center the title "Works Cited" at the top.
List entries alphabetically by the author's last name. For documentaries, begin with the director's name.
Use a hanging indent for each entry. The first line starts at the left margin, with subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches.
Include the following elements for a documentary citation:
Director's name (Last, First)
Title of the documentary (italicized)
Contributors (if relevant)
Production company
Release year
Example: Burns, Ken, director. The Civil War. PBS, 1990.
Citing a Documentary in MLA Format
Citing documentaries in MLA format requires specific components and formatting. Proper citation ensures academic integrity and allows readers to locate the source material.
Basic Format for Works Cited
The basic MLA format for citing a documentary in the Works Cited list is:
Director's Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Documentary. Production Company, Year.
For example: Burns, Ken, director. The Civil War. PBS, 1990.
Include additional contributors if relevant, such as narrators or producers. List them after the director, using appropriate labels.
Citation Components for Documentaries
When citing a documentary, include these key elements:
Director(s)
Title (italicized)
Contributors (if applicable)
Production company
Release year
For in-text citations, use the director's last name and the documentary's release year:
(Burns 1990)
If no director is listed, use the documentary's title in italics for the in-text citation:
(The Civil War 1990)
Include specific time stamps when referencing particular sections of the documentary:
(Burns 00:15:30-00:16:45)
This format helps readers locate the exact portion of the documentary being discussed.
In-Text Citations for Documentaries
In-text citations for documentaries follow MLA guidelines, allowing readers to locate the full source information in the Works Cited list. These citations typically include the director's last name and a timestamp.
Using Parenthetical Citations
When citing a documentary in MLA format, use the director's last name and a timestamp for the specific portion you're referencing. For example: (Smith 00:15:30-00:15:45). If the director's name is mentioned in the text, only include the timestamp in parentheses.
For documentaries without a named director, use a shortened version of the title in italics. For instance: (Modern Marvels 00:10:15-00:10:30).
If citing the entire documentary, omit the timestamp: (Johnson).
Adding a Works Cited Entry
The Works Cited entry for a documentary includes the title in italics, followed by the director's name, the production company, and the year of release. For example:
The Social Dilemma. Directed by Jeff Orlowski, Exposure Labs, 2020.
If accessed online, add the platform and URL:
Planet Earth II. Directed by Justin Anderson, BBC, 2016. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/80084776.
Include any additional contributors relevant to your citation, such as narrators or producers, after the director's name.
Online and Streaming Services Citation
Citing documentaries from online sources and streaming platforms requires specific information to create accurate MLA citations. The key elements include the documentary title, director, production company, release year, and platform details.
Citing Documentaries from Websites
To cite a documentary from a website, include the title, director, production company, year, site name, and URL. Format the citation as follows:
Documentary Title. Directed by Director's Name, Production Company, Year. Website Name, URL.
Omit http:// or https:// from the URL. If the access date is crucial, add it after the URL:
Documentary Title. Directed by Director's Name, Production Company, Year. Website Name, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.
Citing Documentaries from Streaming Services
For documentaries on streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime, use this format:
Documentary Title. Directed by Director's Name, Production Company, Year. Streaming Service Name, URL.
If no URL is available, end the citation with the service name. Include the date of access if necessary:
Documentary Title. Directed by Director's Name, Production Company, Year. Streaming Service Name. Accessed Day Month Year.
For YouTube documentaries, list the uploader as the author if no director is specified:
"Video Title." YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, URL.
Citing Additional Contributors and Production Details
Properly citing a documentary in MLA format requires including key contributors and production information. This ensures readers can locate the source and gives credit to those involved in creating the film.
Listing Director, Producer, and Other Roles
Start the citation with the director's name, preceded by "Directed by." For example:
Directed by Werner Herzog,
If there are multiple directors, list them all separated by commas. Include other important contributors after the director, such as:
Produced by Jane Smith, narrated by Morgan Freeman,
List each role followed by the person's name. Separate different roles with commas.
Production Company and Distributor Information
After listing contributors, include the production company's name. For instance:
BBC Films, 2020.
If relevant, add the distributor after the production company:
BBC Films, distributed by PBS, 2020.
For streaming services, include the platform name and URL:
Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/12345678.
Provide as much detail as available to help readers locate the documentary. Include the release year at the end of the citation.
Formatting and Punctuation Details
Proper formatting and punctuation are crucial when citing documentaries in MLA style. Attention to detail ensures clarity and consistency in your citations.
Italicizing Titles and Adding Quotations
Italicize the full title of a documentary when citing it as a standalone work. For example: The Social Dilemma.
Use quotation marks for titles of documentary episodes or segments that are part of a larger series. For instance: "Episode 1: The Early Years" from The Last Dance.
When referencing performers or actors, place their names in regular text. Include their roles in parentheses after their names if relevant.
Using Abbreviations and Punctuation Marks
Abbreviate longer terms after first use. Use "dir." for director and "perf." for performer.
Include a period after each initial in a name. For example: M. Moore for Michael Moore.
Use commas to separate different elements of the citation. Place a period at the end of the entire citation.
For multiple performers, use a slash (/) to separate names. Example: DiCaprio / Winslet.
Footnotes or endnotes are not typically used in MLA for documentary citations. Instead, use parenthetical in-text citations.
Special Cases in Documentary Citations
Citing documentaries in MLA format can involve unique considerations beyond standard films. Different versions, multi-volume works, and interviews within documentaries require specific citation approaches.
Citing Multivolume Works and Editions
When citing a documentary that is part of a multivolume work, include the volume number after the title. For example: "The Civil War. Vol. 2, directed by Ken Burns." If citing a specific edition, add the edition number after the title: "Planet Earth. 2nd ed., narrated by David Attenborough."
For DVD versions, include "DVD" in the citation: "March of the Penguins. DVD, directed by Luc Jacquet."
Collections of documentaries require listing the specific title within the larger work: "The World at War: 'Barbarossa.'" Include the collection title after the individual documentary title.
Citing Performances and Interviews
Interviews within documentaries need special attention. Cite the interviewee's name if focusing on their contribution: "Smith, John. Interview. The Corporation, directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott."
For performances in documentaries, credit the performer: "Streep, Meryl, performer. River of Hope, directed by Robert Redford."
If citing a book-based documentary, include both the book author and film director: "Based on the book by Jane Goodall. Jane, directed by Brett Morgen."
Comparing MLA with Other Citation Styles
MLA, APA, and Chicago are the three most common citation styles used in academic writing. Each style has distinct features for citing documentaries and other sources.
Differences Between MLA and APA
MLA and APA differ in their formatting of documentary citations. MLA emphasizes the director's name, while APA focuses on the production year.
MLA: Goodfellas. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Warner Bros., 1990.
APA: Scorsese, M. (Director). (1990). Goodfellas [Film]. Warner Bros.
MLA uses title case for documentary titles, whereas APA uses sentence case. MLA includes the distributor, while APA lists the production company.
In-text citations also vary. MLA uses the director's last name (Scorsese), while APA includes the year (Scorsese, 1990).
Differences Between MLA and Chicago Style
Chicago style offers two citation systems: notes and bibliography, and author-date. The notes and bibliography system is more common in humanities.
Chicago (notes): Martin Scorsese, dir., Goodfellas (Burbank, CA: Warner Bros., 1990).
MLA: Goodfellas. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Warner Bros., 1990.
Chicago style uses footnotes or endnotes for citations, unlike MLA's parenthetical citations. In bibliographies, Chicago places the director's name first, followed by their role.
Chicago style is more flexible with punctuation and formatting, while MLA has stricter guidelines for citing documentaries and other sources in research papers.
Additional Resources and Tools
Citing documentaries in MLA format can be simplified with the right resources. Online tools and educational guides provide valuable assistance for proper citation practices.
Using Online Citation Tools
Citation generators streamline the process of creating MLA citations for documentaries. Tools like EasyBib and BibMe offer templates specifically designed for film and video sources. Users input details such as the documentary title, director, and production company. These generators then format the information into a correct MLA citation.
Many citation tools also handle DOIs and URLs for online documentaries. They can format entries for documentaries accessed through databases like JSTOR. Some advanced generators even create in-text citations alongside full references.
Educational Resources and Guides
The Purdue OWL website is a trusted resource for MLA citation guidelines. It provides detailed explanations and examples for citing various media types, including documentaries. The site offers templates and sample citations that students and researchers can follow.
University writing centers often publish citation guides tailored to specific disciplines. These resources typically include sections on audiovisual materials. Some institutions create interactive tutorials or video demonstrations on proper MLA citation techniques for documentaries.
Professional organizations in film studies and related fields may offer specialized citation guides. These resources often address nuances in citing different types of documentary films and related materials.
