How to Cite a Ted Talk

TED Talks are a fantastic resource for research, inspiration, and learning. They offer concise, engaging presentations on a huge range of topics. When you use a TED Talk in your academic papers, presentations, or professional reports, you need to give proper credit. This ensures you avoid plagiarism and allow your readers to find the original source.

Citing a TED Talk is similar to citing other online videos or lectures, but there are specific details to include. The exact format will depend on the citation style you're using (like MLA, APA, or Chicago), but the core information remains the same.

Essential Information for Citing a TED Talk

Regardless of the style guide, you'll generally need the following pieces of information:

• Speaker: The name of the person who gave the talk.
• Title of the Talk: The official title of the TED Talk.
• Title of the Website/Platform: In this case, "TED" or "TED.com".
• Publisher/Sponsor (if applicable): Usually, this is just TED itself.
• Date of Publication/Upload: The date the talk was made available online.
• URL: The specific web address where the talk can be viewed.
• Date of Access: The date you viewed the talk (important for online sources that might change).

Citing TED Talks in MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is common in the humanities. Here's how to format a TED Talk citation in your Works Cited page and an in-text citation.

Works Cited Entry:

The general format is:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Talk." TED, Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

Pinker, Steven. "The paradox of violence." TED, Feb. 2019, www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_the_paradox_of_violence. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

For MLA, you typically use the speaker's last name in parentheses, or the title if no author is readily apparent.

(Pinker)

or

("Paradox of Violence")

Citing TED Talks in APA Style

APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and psychology.

Reference List Entry:

The general format is:

Speaker's Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of talk [Video]. TED Conferences. URL

Example:

Pinker, S. (2019, February). The paradox of violence [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_the_paradox_of_violence

In-text Citation:

For APA, you'll use the author's last name and the year.

(Pinker, 2019)

If you are quoting directly, you might also include a timestamp. For example, if you're referencing a specific point made at the 3:45 mark:

(Pinker, 2019, 3:45)

Citing TED Talks in Chicago Style

Chicago style offers two systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. We'll cover the notes-bibliography system, which is more common for humanities.

Bibliography Entry:

Speaker's First Name Last Name. "Title of Talk." Title of Website. Publication Date. URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.

Example:

Steven Pinker. "The Paradox of Violence." TED. February 2019. https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_the_paradox_of_violence. Accessed October 15, 2023.

Footnote/Endnote:

The first note for a source is usually more detailed.

First Note Example:

1. Steven Pinker, "The Paradox of Violence," TED, February 2019, https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_the_paradox_of_violence.

Subsequent Note Example:

1. Pinker, "Paradox of Violence."

If you're using the author-date system in Chicago, the format will be similar to APA, focusing on author, date, title, and retrieval information.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Finding the Date: TED often lists the upload date of the talk on its page. If it's not immediately obvious, look for a publication date or a general month/year.
• Speaker vs. Host: Be sure to cite the person who delivered the talk, not the person who introduced them or hosted the event.
• URL Accuracy: Always double-check that the URL you provide is correct and leads directly to the talk.
• Consistency is Key: Whichever style guide you use, stick to it throughout your entire document. Inconsistencies can be jarring for readers and may impact your grade.
• When in Doubt, Ask: If you're unsure about a specific detail or format, consult your professor, instructor, or the official style guide.

What if the TED Talk isn't on TED.com?

Sometimes, TED Talks are shared on other platforms or have been given in different contexts. If you're citing a talk that you found on YouTube, for example, you'll need to adapt your citation to include details specific to YouTube (like the uploader's name, if different from the speaker). However, for most official TED Talks, the TED.com website is your primary source.

Making Your Citations Shine

Accurate citation is a cornerstone of good academic and professional practice. It shows respect for the original creators and strengthens the credibility of your own work. If you're struggling to get your citations just right or need help refining your writing, services like EssayGazebo.com can provide expert assistance with AI humanization and professional editing to ensure your work is polished and properly referenced.

Example Scenario

Let's say you're writing a paper on the future of work and you want to use Brené Brown's talk, "The power of vulnerability."

• Speaker: Brené Brown
• Title: The Power of Vulnerability
• Platform: TED
• Date: May 2010 (You'd find this on the TED page)
• URL: https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability

Now, let's put it into APA format for your reference list:

Brown, B. (2010, May). The power of vulnerability [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability

And for an in-text citation:

(Brown, 2010)

Mastering these citation details might seem tedious, but it's a vital skill. It ensures your research is sound and your writing is credible.