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Published by at March 14th, 2024 , Revised On March 12, 2024

How To Cite A TED Talk In APA Style With Clarity

(Speaker’s Last Name, Year, Timestamp)

APA citation style is a standardized method for acknowledging sources in academic writing, commonly used in the social sciences. Properly citing sources, such as TED Talks and Newspaper articles, is crucial for academic integrity, giving credit to original creators, and allowing readers to locate and verify the information presented. Failure to cite sources accurately can result in plagiarism and undermine the credibility of scholarly work. 

This blog will discuss how to cite TED Talks in APA style with clarity and confidence.

What Are TED Talks?

TED Talks, short for Technology, Entertainment, and Design Talks, are influential presentations covering a wide range of topics, delivered by experts and thought leaders from various fields. These talks aim to spread ideas, provoke thought, and inspire action in a concise and engaging format.

TED Talks are available in diverse formats, including videos, podcasts, and transcripts. The video format, featuring speakers delivering their talks on stage, is the most popular and widely recognized.

Additionally, TED produces podcasts that feature audio recordings of talks, making the content accessible to audiences on the go. Transcripts provide a written version of the talk’s content, aiding in accessibility and reference.

TED Talks serve as valuable sources for research, literature reviews, and academic work due to their credibility, the expertise of speakers, and the depth of topics covered. The speakers are often leading experts in their respective fields, offering insights, data, and perspectives that can enrich scholarly discussions.

Moreover, TED Talks provide a platform for innovative ideas and cutting-edge research, making them relevant and reliable sources for academic inquiry and discourse.

The Basics Of APA Style

APA citation style, developed by the American Psychological Association, is a widely used format for citing sources in academic writing. It provides guidelines for formatting manuscripts, citing sources, and creating reference lists, ensuring clarity and consistency in scholarly communication.

Consistency and accuracy in citing sources are essential in academic writing for several reasons. 

Firstly, it demonstrates respect for the work of others by properly attributing ideas and information. Secondly, accurate citations allow readers to locate and verify the sources cited, facilitating further exploration and understanding of the topic.

Finally, adherence to citation guidelines promotes credibility and professionalism in academic writing, enhancing the author’s reputation and the overall quality of the work.

In-Text Citations

In APA style, in-text citations are used to acknowledge sources within the text of the paper, providing brief details such as the author’s last name and the publication year. Reference list entries, on the other hand, are detailed lists of all sources cited in the paper, arranged alphabetically by the author’s last names. 

Each entry includes essential information such as the author’s name, publication date, title of the work, and publication details, allowing readers to locate the sources cited. Both in-text citations and reference list entries must adhere to specific formatting guidelines outlined in the APA manual to ensure consistency and accuracy. If you are having a hard time understanding the difference between APA and MLA, you can check various resources available online. 

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How To Cite A TED Talk In APA Style

When paraphrasing or directly quoting from a TED Talk in your paper, it’s essential to include an in-text citation to credit the source. For paraphrasing, you can include the speaker’s last name and the publication year in parentheses at the end of the sentence. 

For direct quotes, include the speaker’s last name, publication year, and the timestamp for the specific quote within the video (if applicable), separated by commas, all enclosed in parentheses.

Example Of Paraphrasing

(Speaker’s Last Name, Year)

Example Of Direct Quote

(Speaker’s Last Name, Year, Timestamp)

Step-By-Step Guide For Creating A Reference List Entry For A Ted Talk

Format for citing a TED Talk video
Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of talk [Video]. TED Conferences. URL

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

Format for citing a TED Talk podcast
Author. (Year, Month Day). Title of talk [Audio podcast]. TED Conferences. URL

Example:
Gilbert, E. (2021, May 11). The future of floating cities [Audio podcast]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_gilbert_the_future_of_floating_cities

Explanation of key elements required in the reference list entry

  • Speaker: The individual who delivered the TED Talk.
  • Title: The title of the TED Talk.
  • Publication date: The date when the TED Talk was published or recorded.
  • URL: The web address where the TED Talk can be accessed online (if applicable).

Frequently Asked Questions

To cite a TED Talk in APA style, include the speaker’s last name and the publication year for in-text citations. In the reference list, provide the speaker’s name, publication date, title of the talk, and the URL for online access.

In-text citations for TED Talks in APA style include the speaker’s last name and the publication year. In the reference list, include the speaker’s name, publication date, title of the talk, and the URL.

In APA 7th edition, cite a TED Talk in-text with the speaker’s last name and the publication year. In the reference list, include the speaker’s name, publication date, title of the talk in italics, “TED Conferences,” and the URL.

To cite a TED Talk from YouTube in APA style, include the speaker’s name, publication year, title of the talk in italics, “TED,” YouTube, the date uploaded, URL. In-text, use the speaker’s last name and the year.

About Nicolas

Avatar for NicolasNicolas holds a master's degree in literature and has earned a PhD in statistics. He has a keen interest in writing, culinary arts, and running. Nicolas is dedicated to assisting students at various academic levels.