how to cite a ted talk in mla

2 min read 07-02-2025

TED Talks, those captivating presentations on a vast range of topics, are frequently used in academic research. But how do you properly cite a TED Talk using the MLA format? This guide provides a step-by-step approach, ensuring your work is both academically sound and avoids plagiarism. Knowing how to correctly cite sources is crucial for maintaining academic integrity.

Finding the Necessary Information

Before you can cite a TED Talk, you need to gather the essential information. This includes details you might not immediately notice. Here's what to look for:

1. Speaker's Name:

This is the person who delivered the TED Talk. Make sure you use their full name as it appears on the TED website.

2. Title of the Talk:

This is the name of the specific TED Talk. Often, it's prominently displayed on the video page.

3. Website Name:

This is consistently "TED."

4. Date of Publication:

This is the date the TED Talk was originally published on the TED website.

5. Date Accessed:

This is the date you viewed the TED Talk.

6. URL:

This is the web address of the specific TED Talk.

MLA Citation Format

Once you've collected all the information, you can construct your MLA citation. The basic format for citing a TED Talk in MLA style is as follows:

Speaker's Last Name, Speaker's First Name. "Title of TED Talk." TED, [Website Publisher], Date of Publication, URL.

Example:

Anderson, Chris. "The Power of Believing in Yourself." TED, TED, 27 Sept. 2018, https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_anderson_the_power_of_believing_in_yourself.

Note: If the publication date is unknown, replace "Date of Publication" with "n.d." (no date).

Handling Variations

Some TED Talks might have slightly different presentations. Here's how to handle a few variations:

TED Talks with a Transcript: If a transcript is available, you could potentially include it as a supplementary source, though the video itself remains the primary source. In that case, cite the transcript separately.

TEDx Talks: TEDx Talks are independently organized events using the TED format. These are cited similarly, but you'll need to include the location of the TEDx event if it is available in the video description.

Example (TEDx Talk):

Smith, Jane. "The Future of Education." TEDx[City Name], YouTube, 15 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXX. (Replace [City Name] and the URL with the correct information.)

Integrating Citations into Your Work

Using in-text citations is vital to avoid plagiarism. Use the speaker's last name and the year of publication.

Example: Anderson's TED Talk on the power of self-belief emphasizes the importance of mindset (2018).

Your Works Cited page should list all your sources. Alphabetize your entries by the speaker's last name.

Conclusion

Citing TED Talks correctly in MLA format is straightforward. By following these steps and paying attention to detail, you can confidently integrate these valuable resources into your academic papers while adhering to proper citation standards. Remember, accuracy and consistency are key to maintaining academic integrity. If you have any doubts about a specific case, consult your instructor or the official MLA Handbook.