How Do You Cite A Movie In Mla

How Do You Cite a Movie in MLA? A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing how to properly cite a movie in MLA format is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. This guide provides a clear and concise explanation, covering all the necessary elements and offering examples to help you master this essential citation skill. This article will equip you with the knowledge to correctly cite films in your MLA works cited page, ensuring your research is both credible and academically sound.

Understanding MLA Movie Citations

The MLA (Modern Language Association) style guide provides a standardized format for citing sources, including movies. The basic structure for citing a film in your MLA works cited page is fairly straightforward, but paying close attention to detail is vital. Incorrect formatting could significantly impact your grade.

The key information required includes:

• Title of the Film: This should be italicized.
• Director's Name: The person who directed the film.
• Distributor: The company that released the film.
• Year of Release: The year the movie was initially released in theaters.
• Medium of Viewing: This usually specifies if you watched it on DVD, streaming service (Netflix, Hulu, etc.), or in a theater. This element is increasingly important in the digital age.

Basic MLA Movie Citation Format

The core structure of an MLA movie citation follows this pattern:

Last Name, First Name. *Title of Film*. Distributor, Year of Release, Medium of Viewing.

Examples of MLA Movie Citations

Let's look at some examples to clarify the format:

• Example 1 (Streaming):

  Spielberg, Steven. Jurassic Park. Universal Pictures, 1993, Netflix.

• Example 2 (DVD):

  Cameron, James. Avatar. 20th Century Fox, 2009, DVD.

• Example 3 (Theater):

  Nolan, Christopher. Inception. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2010, Theatrical Release.

• Example 4 (More Complex – Multiple Directors):

  Wachowski, Lana, and Lilly Wachowski. The Matrix. Warner Bros., 1999, DVD.

Handling Additional Information

Sometimes you might need to include additional information, such as:

• Specific Version: If you cited a specific director's cut or a special edition, include this after the title. For example: Blade Runner: The Final Cut.
• Retrieval Information: For streaming services, you might need to add the URL if your instructor requires it; however, this isn't always necessary. The name of the streaming platform is usually sufficient.

Adding the Citation to Your Works Cited Page

Your Works Cited page should appear at the end of your paper, listing all your sources alphabetically by the first word of each entry (usually the author's last name). Ensure all citations are consistently formatted according to the MLA style guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect Italicization: Remember to italicize the film title.
• Missing Information: Always double-check that you've included all the necessary information: director, distributor, year, and medium of viewing.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in capitalization, punctuation, and spacing throughout your citations.

Conclusion:

Mastering MLA movie citations is a valuable skill for any student. By following this guide and paying attention to the details, you can ensure your research is properly cited, boosting your credibility and helping you avoid plagiarism. Remember to consult the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.