How to Cite a TED Talk in MLA (9th edition)
Learn how to cite TED Talks and recorded conference talks in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
MLA Works Cited Format
Here is the standard MLA format for citing a TED Talk in your Works Cited page:
Speaker Last Name, First Name. "Title of Talk." TED, Month Year, www.ted.com/talks/xxxxx.
MLA Example for a TED Talk
A complete MLA reference for a TED Talk, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Byrne, Aoife. “What Citations Really Tell Us.” Conference presentation. TED, TED Conferences, https://www.ted.com/talks/example.
Matching in-text citation: (Byrne)
MLA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Speaker)
Narrative
In the talk, Speaker explains...
Key MLA Formatting Rules
- Put the talk title in quotation marks; italicize the container ("TED" for ted.com, "YouTube" for YouTube).
- List the speaker first when you are emphasizing the speaker's ideas.
- Give the month and year of the talk and end with the URL (omit the http:// scheme).
- Add an access date after the URL if no upload date is shown.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your TED Talk.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.
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