Citing TED Talks has become increasingly important as they represent a valuable and popular source of knowledge, especially for students majoring in fields such as Engineering, Physics, and Data Management. TED Talks, known for their motto "ideas worth spreading," often feature experts in various disciplines sharing innovative insights and cutting-edge research, making them a reputable resource for both academic and professional contexts.
Despite their significance, many students struggle with citing TED Talks properly, often opting to seek assistance or even pay someone to write their research papers. However, understanding how to cite TED Talks in different citation styles—such as MLA, APA, and Chicago—ensures academic integrity and can save time when used correctly.
How to cite a TED talk in APA
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APA in bibliography |
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Speaker's Last Name, First Name Initial(s). (Year, Month). Title. [Video]. TED Conference. URL. |
Stokes, C. (2012, November). How movies teach manhood. [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/colin_stokes_how_movies_teach_manhood |
When citing a TED Talk in APA style, the rules will differ depending on whether you are using the TED website or video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. You will require:
- Speaker’s name.
- Year and date of publication.
- Title of the TED video.
- Website’s name.
- URL.
Understanding how to cite a TED Talk in APA format is essential for maintaining academic integrity. Below is an example of a reference page entry and APA in-text citations for a TED Talk:
In-text Citation:
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APA in-text |
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(Stokes, 2012) |
(Stokes, 2012, 6:12) |
Now if you turn to YouTube TED Talk citation, here is what you must do:
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APA in bibliography (YouTube) |
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Uploader's screen name or full name [TEDxTalks]. (Year, Date). Title. Website. URL. |
TEDx Talks [TEDxTalks]. (2016, April). Why "scout mindset" is crucial to good judgment | Julia Galef | TEDxPSU. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MYEtQ5Zdn8 |
In-text Citation:
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APA in-text (YouTube) |
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(TEDx Talks, 2016) |
When you would like to quote a TED Talk for an in-text citation, the name of the author should be incorporated into your writing. For example:
"Starting in 2021, Collins has managed to provide proof that green energy leads to even greater costs and is not always efficient (TEDx Talks, 2021)."
How to cite a TED talk in MLA
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MLA in bibliography |
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Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “TED Talk Title.” TED, Month Year, URL. |
Hyeonmi, K. “How webtoons are changing movies and TV.” TED, Feb. 2022, https://www.ted.com/talks/hyeonmi_kim_how_webtoons_are_changing_movies_and_tv |
In-text Reference:
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MLA in-text |
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(Hyeonmi 7:11) |
If you plan to cite a TED Talk available from YouTube, use the following template format:
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MLA in bibliography (YouTube) |
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Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “TED Talk Title.” YouTube, uploaded by TED or TEDx Talks, Day Month Year, URL. |
Imbo, Frederik. “How not to take things personally? | Frederik Imbo | TEDxMechelen.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, 4 Mar. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJwH_PZXnM. |
In-text Reference:
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MLA in-text (YouTube) |
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(Imbo 11:34) |
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How to cite a TED talk in Chicago
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Chicago in bibliography |
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Speaker’s First Name Last Name, “Title of TED Talk,” TED Video, Month Day, Year, URL. |
Kim Hyeonmi, “How Webtoons Are Changing Movies and TV,” TED Video, February 2022, https://www.ted.com/talks/hyeonmi_kim_how_webtoons_are_changing_movies_and_tv. |
In-text Citation:
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Chicago in-text |
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Kim Hyeonmi, “How Webtoons Are Changing Movies and TV.” |
For a YouTube TED Talk citation in Chicago style, use the following format:
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Chicago in bibliography (YouTube) |
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Speaker’s First Name Last Name, “Title of TED Talk,” filmed Month Day, Year, YouTube video, [Duration], posted by TED or TEDx Talks, URL. |
Frederik Imbo, “How Not to Take Things Personally? | Frederik Imbo | TEDxMechelen,” filmed March 4, 2020, YouTube video, 18:17, posted by TEDx Talks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJwH_PZXnM. |
In-text Citation:
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Chicago in-text (YouTube) |
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Frederik Imbo, “How Not to Take Things Personally?” |
Final thoughts
Accurately citing a TED Talk is crucial to avoid plagiarism and ensure your work maintains academic integrity. Each citation style—MLA, APA, or Chicago—has its own specific requirements. MLA emphasizes the speaker’s name and platform, APA requires media types like [Video], and Chicago may ask for filming dates and durations. Keeping track of these details can be tricky, especially when citing from different platforms like TED’s website or YouTube.
To simplify the process, consider using a citation generator to format your TED Talk automatically references for MLA, APA, or Chicago. This saves time and ensures accuracy. If citation rules feel too complex, professional services can also assist in making sure your references are correct. Whether using a tool or seeking help, proper citations enhance credibility and ensure you’re following academic guidelines.
