Citing documentaries in MLA format might seem tricky, but it's straightforward once you understand the key elements. This guide will walk you through the process, providing clear examples and addressing common questions. Proper citation ensures academic honesty and allows your readers to easily locate your sources.
Understanding MLA Documentary Citations
The core principle of MLA citation remains consistent: provide enough information for your reader to locate the source. For documentaries, this means including the title, director, distributor, and date of release. Unlike books or articles, the "container" for a documentary is often a streaming service or physical media.
Key Elements of an MLA Documentary Citation
- Title of the Documentary: Italicize the title.
- Director: The person or people responsible for the film's creation.
- Distributor: The company that released the documentary (e.g., Netflix, HBO, a production company).
- Date: The year of release.
- Platform: Where the documentary was accessed (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, DVD). This is crucial for online documentaries.
Examples of MLA Documentary Citations
Here are a few examples illustrating different scenarios:
Example 1: Streaming Service (Netflix)
"My Octopus Teacher." Directed by James Reed and Pippa Ehrlich, produced by Seapoint Films, distributed by Netflix, 2020, Netflix.
Example 2: DVD
*Planet Earth*. Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, BBC, 2006, DVD.
Example 3: Documentary Available on Multiple Platforms
If the documentary is available on multiple platforms (e.g., Amazon Prime and Hulu), cite the platform you accessed. For example:
"Free Solo." Dir. Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, National Geographic Documentary Films, 2018, Hulu.
Example 4: Documentary with a Television Network
If the documentary aired on a television network, include the network as the distributor:
"The Civil War." Directed by Ken Burns, Florentine Films, PBS, 1990, PBS.
Handling Additional Information
- Episode Titles: If citing a specific episode within a documentary series, include the episode title in quotation marks before the documentary title. For instance:
"The Louisiana Purchase" *The American Experience*. Directed by [Director's Name], [Production Company], [Distributor], [Year], [Platform].
- Interviewees: While not always necessary, you may include significant interviewees if relevant to your paper. Add this information after the distributor. For example:
"The Act of Killing." Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, Final Cut for Real, 2012, Featuring Anwar Congo, Herman Koto, and Adi Zulkadry, Netflix.
- Incomplete Information: If you lack some information (like the distributor), do your best to provide what you can. It's better to have partial information than none at all.
Incorporating Citations into Your Paper
Remember to use in-text citations to correspond with your Works Cited page. For documentaries, you'll generally cite the director's last name.
Example In-Text Citation:
(Reed and Ehrlich)
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and confidently cite documentaries in your MLA-formatted papers. Remember to always double-check your citations for accuracy before submitting your work.
