Citing a TED Talk in APA style can seem tricky, as TED Talks don't fit neatly into traditional publication categories. However, with a little understanding, you can accurately and consistently reference them in your academic work. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to citing TED Talks correctly according to the latest APA guidelines.
Understanding the Challenges of TED Talk Citations
The difficulty lies in the fact that TED Talks aren't published in the same way as journal articles or books. They are typically online videos, lacking traditional publication information like volume numbers or issue dates. Therefore, we need to adapt the standard APA citation format to include the relevant information available.
Key Information Needed for Your Citation
Before crafting your citation, gather this essential information:
- Speaker's Name: The name of the person who delivered the TED Talk. This goes first in your citation.
- Year: The year the TED Talk was filmed. This is usually displayed prominently on the TED Talk's webpage.
- Title of the Talk: The title of the TED Talk, written in sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized).
- TED. This indicates the platform.
- Retrieval Date: The date you accessed the TED Talk. This is important because TED Talks can be updated or removed.
- URL: The permanent URL link to the specific TED Talk.
Crafting Your APA Citation
Here’s how you structure the citation:
Example:
Anderson, C. (2012, June). How to spot a liar. TED. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from [Insert TED Talk URL here]
Breakdown:
- Anderson, C. (2012, June). This provides the speaker's last name, first initial, year, and month of the talk. Note the use of a comma after the year to separate it from the month.
- How to spot a liar. This is the title of the TED Talk, formatted in sentence case.
- TED. This identifies the platform.
- Retrieved October 26, 2023, from [Insert TED Talk URL here]. This provides the retrieval date and the permanent link to the talk. Replace "[Insert TED Talk URL here]" with the actual URL.
Important Considerations:
- Italics: Note that only the title of the talk is italicized.
- Capitalization: Use sentence-case capitalization for the title.
- URL Accuracy: Double-check the URL for accuracy before submitting your work. A broken link is a significant issue.
- Multiple Speakers: If a TED Talk features multiple speakers, list the names in the order they appear in the credits, separated by commas. For example: (Smith, J., & Jones, A., 2020, ….)
- In-text Citation: When referencing a TED Talk within the body of your paper, use the speaker's last name and year: (Anderson, 2012).
Mastering TED Talk Citations
By following these steps, you can confidently cite TED Talks in your APA-formatted papers. Remember that accuracy and consistency are crucial. If you have doubts, always consult the official Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association for the most up-to-date guidelines. This structured approach will help you avoid common citation mistakes and enhance the credibility of your academic work.
