How do I cite a documentary in CSE?

To cite a documentary in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What does the in-text citation look like for a documentary in CSE?

In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director Year)

How to Cite a Documentary in CSE (8th edition)

Learn how to cite documentary films and non-fiction films in CSE format (8th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

CSE Reference List Format

Here is the standard CSE format for citing a documentary in your reference list:

Director AA, director. Year. Title of documentary [documentary film]. Place: Distributor.

CSE Example for a Documentary

A complete CSE reference for a documentary, formatted by the official CSE CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Paper trails. 2021. [place unknown]: Northlight Films.

Matching in-text citation: (Paper trails 2021)

CSE In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Director Year)

Narrative

Director (Year) documents...

Key CSE Formatting Rules

Give the director, year, title, and a [documentary film] designator.
Name the place of distribution and the distributor.
Add the streaming platform and URL if accessed online.
Use the name-year or citation-sequence system consistently with the rest of your paper.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your documentary.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the CSE (8th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match CSE requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: cse.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a documentary in CSE?: To cite a documentary in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the CSE format for a documentary citation?: The CSE format for a documentary is: Director AA, director. Year. Title of documentary [documentary film]. Place: Distributor.
What does the in-text citation look like for a documentary in CSE?: In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director Year)