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How to Cite Primary Sources: Audio recordings, DVDs, and video recordings

This guide will outline how to cite a variety of primary sources in APA, MLA, and Chicago formats

Video Recordings

APA

To cite a video recording, be it DVD, television, YouTube, or otherwise, use the following structure: Last, F. (Director). (Date of Publication). Title [Video type]. Production Company. 

For example: Donaldson, R. (Creator). (2023). How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee [Video]. Coffee Maker Productions. URL.

Chicago Style

To cite a video recording in Chicago style, you will first need to know the type of video. Below are examples of different video types and their citation examples. 

- Film: Hoverson, Daniel, dir. The Following Monday. Canadian Public Broadcasting, 2019. DVD.

Television: The Song of the Pelican: Seabirds and Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest, episode 6, "The Great Sandpiper and the Rising of Sea-Level," directed by Josephine Smith, Aired on 7th of April 2019, on PBS. 

YouTube: Josephine Smith, "10 Reasons Why the Sandpiper is the Greatest Bird," 21 March 2023, YouTube, URL. 

MLA

Similarly, with MLA it is necessary to change the citation based on the video medium used. See below for examples. 

Film: The Following Monday. Directed by Daniel Hoverson, Canadian Public Broadcasting, 2019. CPB Streaming app. 

Television: "The Great Sandpiper and the Rising of Sea-Level". The Song of the Pelican, episode 6, PBS, 2019. PBS Passport App. 

YouTube:  10 Reasons Why the Sandpiper is the Greatest Bird. 2023. YouTube, uploaded by Josephine Smith, 21 March 2023. URL

 

Audio Recordings

APA 

To cite an audio recording in APA, you will use a different structure depending on the type of recording. Below are some examples 

Song: Gallagher, N. (2010). Whatever [Recorded by Oasis, mp3]. On Definitely Maybe. Retrieved from Apple Music. 

- Podcast: Harvilla, R. (producer). (10 October, 2024). 60 Songs That Explain the 90s [Audio Podcast]. Retrieved from Spotify. 

Recorded Interview: Mustard, M. (1968). Interview with Mister Mustard (P. McCartney, Interviewer). WAV file. Retrieved from URL. 

Chicago Style 

To cite an audio recording in Chicago Style, you will use a different structure depending on the type of recording. Below are some examples

Song: "Whatever," by Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher, Creation Records, Released as a single on 18 December 1994. 

Podcast: Rob Harvilla, host, 60 Songs That Explain the 90s, Podcast, episode 15, "Oasis: Wonderwall," The Ringer Podcast Network, 11 October 2022, Accessed on Spotify. 

Recorded Interview: Recorded interviews can be cited in Chicago Style following a similar format to an Oral History interview. See that section of this guide for details. 

MLA

To cite an audio recording in MLA, you will use a different structure depending on the type of recording. Below are some examples

Song: Oasis. "Whatever." Definitely Maybe. Creation Records, 1994. 

Podcast: "Oasis: Wonderwall." 60 Songs That Explain the 90s from the Ringer Podcast Network, hosted by Rob Harvilla. 11 October 2022. Spotify app. 

- Recorded Interview: Mustard, Mister. "Lessons in Etiquette with Mister Mustard." The Lives and Stories of Abbey Road, hosted by Paul McCartney, 1969. URL.