how to cite ted talk apa

2 min read 07-02-2025

TED Talks are popular sources of information on a wide range of topics. If you're using a TED Talk in your academic work, you need to cite it correctly in APA style. This guide will walk you through the process, providing a clear and concise explanation. Knowing how to properly cite a TED Talk ensures academic integrity and avoids plagiarism.

Finding the Necessary Information

Before you can cite a TED Talk, you need to gather some key pieces of information. Not all information is readily available, so careful attention to detail is key.

1. Speaker's Name:

This is crucial. Note the speaker's full name as it appears on the TED website.

2. Talk Title:

Accurately record the title of the TED Talk as it appears.

3. Publication Date:

This is usually the date the talk was filmed, not necessarily the upload date. Find this information on the TED webpage.

4. URL:

Copy the direct URL of the TED Talk. This allows your readers to access the source easily.

APA Citation Format for TED Talks

There's no official APA style guide entry specifically for TED Talks. However, the most widely accepted method treats a TED Talk as a video lecture. Here's the structure to follow:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of TED Talk [Video]. TED. [URL]

Let's break down each part:

Example:

Let's say we are citing a TED Talk by Brené Brown titled "The power of vulnerability." It was published on June 2010, and the URL is https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.

The correctly formatted APA citation would be:

Brown, B. (2010). The power of vulnerability [Video]. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability

Handling Variations

Sometimes, the information you need might not be readily available on the TED website. Here are some scenarios and how to address them:

No Publication Date:

If a publication date isn't listed, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year.

Multiple Speakers:

If there are multiple speakers, list them all, separating them with commas and using an ampersand (&) before the final name.

TEDx Talks:

For TEDx Talks (independent TED events), include "TEDx" before the location name. For example:

Smith, J. (2023). Title of TEDx Talk [Video]. TEDx[Location]. [URL]

Importance of Accurate Citation

Accurate citation is essential for several reasons:

Avoiding Plagiarism: Proper citation gives credit to the original creator and avoids accusations of plagiarism.
Strengthening Credibility: Using credible sources enhances the overall trustworthiness of your work.
Facilitating Research: Accurate citations allow readers to easily find the source material and verify your claims.

Conclusion

Citing TED Talks correctly in APA style is straightforward once you understand the basic format. By following the guidelines in this article, you can ensure your academic work is both credible and ethically sound. Remember, if you are unsure about any aspect of your citation, consult your institution's style guide or your instructor. Proper citation is a crucial element of academic integrity.