How to cite documentary mla in text

If you’re writing an essay, you may need to cite a film or documentary. But how does this work in MLA style? In this post, we’ll show you how to format both in-text citations and the Works Cited list entry for a film.

How to Cite a Film in MLA Referencing

When citing a film or documentary as a whole in MLA style, simply cite its title. This can be either in the text or in parentheses. For instance:

Another crime film, Goodfellas, depicts the making of a mafia boss.

The film depicts the making of a mafia boss (Goodfellas).

However, if you’re focusing on a particular contributor to the film, such as the director or an actor, you should cite the surname of that contributor:

Scorsese’s direction is notably dynamic.

The film is directed with great dynamism (Scorsese).

In addition, if you are referring to a particular scene, you may want to include a time stamp with the timing or range of times for the scene cited:

The scene in this version of the film shows us the brutality of mafia life, but arguably risks glamorizing it (Goodfellas 00:58:06-01:08:21).

Here, for instance, the time stamp shows us that the citation is for a scene that lasts from 58 minutes and 6 seconds to 1 hour, 8 minutes and 21 seconds into the film. The reader will then know exactly where to look for it.

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Films in an MLA Works Cited List

The entry for a film in an MLA Works Cited list should include all the information required for readers to find the version cited. When citing the film as a whole, this will usually include the following core elements:

Title. Contribution by Main Contributor’s Name (usually the director or creator), other contributors (if relevant to your discussion), version (if more than one version is available), publisher, year.

You won’t always need to include all this information (e.g., if there is only one version of a film available, you can ignore the ‘version’ section), but make sure to include as much detail as needed to identify the exact source.

In practice, for instance, we could reference Goodfellas as follows:

Goodfellas. Directed by Martin Scorsese, performance by Paul Sorvino, Warner Bros., 1990.

If you have cited the name of a contributor – rather than the film title – in your essay, start the entry with the surname of that contributor:

Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Performance by Paul Sorvino, Warner Bros., 1990.

This ensures that readers can match the citations to the full reference.

Expert MLA Proofreading

We hope this explains how to cite a film or documentary in MLA style! If you’d like an expert to make sure your MLA referencing is clear, consistent and error free, though, why not upload a document for proofreading today?

Use this MLA 8 in-text citation for a film example to help you write your school paper. MLA format is a flexible editorial style designed for formatting research papers in the humanities. While creating your works cited page, remember that each in-text citation must have a corresponding source entry.

Example In-Text Film Citation in MLA Style

While writing your in-text citations, duplicate the first element of your works cited entry and place it in parentheses. For example, if the title of the film is your first element, use that as your in-text citation. If you’ve used the director as the first element, that’s what you use for your in-text citation. If you’re writing a paper about an actor, then the actor’s name is your first element and your in-text citation.

In-Text Citation Format

(Last Name Director)

(Title of Movie)

(Last Name Actor)

Example

(Zemeckis)

(Back to the Future)

(Fox)

Understanding In-Text Citations

An in-text citation, also called a parenthetical citation, is a way to steer your reader to the full research source. Place your in-text citation where you’ve included either a direct quote or paraphrased ideas from another person.

Incorporating MLA In-Text Citation in Your Paper

Make your MLA format paper easier to read by adding source information into your sentence as much as possible. If you’ve integrated into your sentence, make sure there is a works cited entry to match with it.

Sentence in research paper:

“There’s only one man that can help me!” Marty McFly declares in the movie Back to the Future.

Example with in-text citation added:

“There’s only one man that can help me!” Marty McFly declares in the movie Back to the Future (Fox). 

Why Use MLA Style?

Generally, your teacher tells you which editorial style to follow while writing your school paper. MLA style is popular in middle and high school classes. Your college English instructors may require it as well. Learning MLA style helps you throughout all your classes. Once you get the hang of it, it’ll make writing your MLA school papers a breeze.

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