Citing sources correctly is crucial for academic integrity. Knowing how to cite a TED Talk in APA 7th edition can be tricky, as they don't follow the standard format of a journal article or book. This guide will walk you through the process, providing clear examples and explanations.
Understanding the Components
Before we dive into the specifics, let's identify the key pieces of information you'll need to accurately cite a TED Talk:
- Speaker's Name: The person who delivered the TED Talk.
- Year of Publication: The year the TED Talk was published (or presented) on the TED website. This is usually displayed prominently on the video page.
- Title of the Talk: The name of the TED Talk itself.
- "TED." This indicates the platform where the talk was published.
- URL: The direct link to the TED Talk on the TED website.
APA 7th Edition Citation Format
The general format for citing a TED Talk in APA 7th edition is as follows:
Speaker Last Name, Speaker First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of TED Talk [Video]. TED. [URL]
Let's break down each element and illustrate with examples.
Example 1: A Single Speaker
Let's say you want to cite a TED Talk given by Brené Brown in 2010 titled "The Power of Vulnerability." The URL is https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability
The APA 7th edition citation would be:
Brown, B. (2010, June). The Power of Vulnerability [Video]. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability
Example 2: Multiple Speakers
If a TED Talk features multiple speakers, list them all in the order they appear in the credits. Use an ampersand (&) before the last speaker's name.
For instance, if a talk has speakers Jane Doe and John Smith, the citation would follow this format:
Doe, J., & Smith, J. (Year, Month Day). Title of TED Talk [Video]. TED. [URL]
Example 3: No Month or Day Available
Sometimes, the exact month and day of publication might not be readily available on the TED website. In such cases, omit them:
Speaker Last Name, Speaker First Initial. (Year). Title of TED Talk [Video]. TED. [URL]
Important Considerations
- Accuracy is paramount: Double-check all the information—speaker's name, year, title, and URL—to ensure accuracy.
- Italics: Remember to italicize the title of the TED Talk.
- Brackets: Use brackets "[Video]" to indicate the medium of the source.
- URL: Always include the complete and correct URL.
Beyond the Citation: Effective Use of TED Talks in Academic Work
While proper citation is vital, integrating TED Talks effectively into your academic writing is equally important. Avoid simply summarizing the talk; instead, use specific examples and insights to support your arguments. Properly referencing TED Talks adds credibility to your research and demonstrates responsible scholarship. Always analyze the speaker's credibility and potential biases before incorporating their ideas into your work.
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and correctly cite TED Talks in your APA 7th edition papers. Remember to always double-check your citations to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.
