Introduction
Citing a documentary in your academic work or research paper is essential to give credit to the creators of the film and to provide your readers with the necessary information to locate the documentary themselves. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps on how to properly cite a documentary in various citation styles such as APA, MLA, and Chicago.
1. APA Style
Title of the documentary: Start by noting the title of the documentary in sentence case followed by the year of release in parentheses.
Director’s last name, first initial: Include the name of the director(s) in the format of last name, first initial. Separate multiple directors with commas.
Production company: List the production company that produced the documentary.
Year: Indicate the year the documentary was released.
Retrieval information: If you viewed the documentary online, provide the URL or DOI.
Example: Lastname, F. (Director). (Year). Title of the documentary [Documentary]. Production Company. URL or DOI
2. MLA Style
Title of the documentary: List the title of the documentary in italics followed by the year of release in parentheses.
Director: Include the director’s name starting with the first name followed by the last name.
Production company: Mention the production company that released the documentary.
Year: Specify the year the documentary was released.
Retrieval information: If you watched the documentary online, provide the URL.
Example: Director’s Name. Title of the documentary. Production Company, Year. URL
3. Chicago Style
Title of the documentary: Insert the title of the documentary in sentence case followed by the year of release in parentheses.
Director: Include the director’s name in the format of first name followed by the last name.
Production company: Note the production company responsible for the release of the documentary.
Year: Mention the year the documentary was released.
**Retrieval information:** If you accessed the documentary online, provide the URL or DOI.
Example: Director’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the documentary. Production Company, Year. URL or DOI
4. Important Considerations
- **Do not forget to include both the in-text citation and a corresponding entry in the bibliography or works cited page.**
- Always follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the publication you are submitting your work to.
- Consult the official style guides for APA, MLA, or Chicago for any additional rules or specific examples.
- For documentaries without a director, you may use the producer’s name instead.
- If you are citing a specific segment within a documentary, include the title of the segment and its duration in your citation.
5. Conclusion
Citing a documentary correctly is crucial for academic integrity and giving proper credit to the creators of the film. By following the guidelines mentioned above for APA, MLA, or Chicago citation styles, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and in line with the required formatting. Remember to always double-check your citations before submitting your work to avoid any potential plagiarism issues.
