How to reference a TED talk APA? This ain’t no joke, fam! Understanding how to properly cite a TED talk in APA style is crucial for any student or researcher. From finding the right info to crafting the perfect citation, this guide breaks it down step-by-step, making it super easy to nail that APA format for your TED talk references.
We’ll cover everything from identifying the speaker and date to constructing the in-text citation and reference list entry, so you can ace your assignments without any stress.
This comprehensive guide covers all the essential aspects of APA style referencing for TED Talks, making it a valuable resource for anyone needing to cite these presentations in their academic or professional work. It also addresses variations, like multiple speakers or talks without specific dates, so you’re totally covered no matter the situation. Plus, we’ll provide real-world examples and tables to make the whole process crystal clear.
So, grab your notebooks and let’s dive into the world of TED Talk citations!
Constructing the APA In-Text Citation: How To Reference A Ted Talk Apa

Mastering in-text citations for TED Talks in APA style is crucial for academic integrity. Properly citing your sources ensures you give credit where it’s due and avoid plagiarism. This section will guide you through the specific formatting requirements for citing TED Talks within your work.In-text citations in APA style use the author-date method. This means that you will include the author’s last name and the year of publication within your sentence.
For TED Talks, the presenter is typically considered the author. If a TED Talk has no presenter listed, you will use the TED organization as the author.
In-Text Citation Format
The author-date method is the standard for APA in-text citations. For TED Talks, this generally follows the format: (Author, Year, [start time]). The bracketed start time is crucial. This helps the reader locate the specific portion of the talk you’re referencing. For example, if a TED Talk was presented by “Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie” in 2017, and you want to reference a particular point from the talk, your in-text citation would look like this: (Adichie, 2017, [00:05:15]).
This indicates that the cited information begins at 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
Handling Page Numbers
TED Talks typically don’t have page numbers in the traditional sense. Therefore, using page numbers is not applicable for these talks. Instead, the time stamps are used as locators to guide the reader to the specific part of the talk you’re referencing.
Comparison of In-Text Citation Formats, How to reference a ted talk apa
Source Type | In-Text Citation Format |
---|---|
Book | (Author, Year, page number) |
Journal Article | (Author, Year, page number) |
TED Talk | (Author, Year, [start time]) |
This table demonstrates the differences in in-text citation formats across various source types. Notice the specific format tailored for TED Talks, emphasizing the crucial role of the start time.
Citing TED Talks Without Page Numbers
When a TED Talk lacks specific page numbers, the timestamp (start time) serves as a substitute. This is crucial for ensuring accurate referencing. For instance, if you want to cite a statement from a TED Talk on climate change presented by Greta Thunberg in 2019, you would cite it as follows: (Thunberg, 2019, [00:02:45]). This format ensures that readers can easily locate the referenced portion of the talk.
Final Review

So, there you have it—the complete lowdown on referencing TED Talks in APA style. We’ve broken down the process into manageable steps, providing clear examples and helpful tables to guide you through the whole thing. Now you’re equipped to cite any TED Talk with confidence, whether it’s got a page number or not, multiple speakers or a tricky publication date.
Remember, proper citation is key to academic integrity, so keep this guide handy and you’ll be referencing TED Talks like a pro in no time. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the TED Talk doesn’t have a publication date?
If the talk doesn’t have a specific date, use the year the talk was recorded. You can usually find this on the TED website or in the video description.
How do I cite a TED Talk with multiple speakers?
List all the speakers’ last names in the citation, separated by commas, and use “et al.” if there are more than three speakers. Same goes for the in-text citation.
Can you explain how to cite a TED Talk transcript?
If you’re using a transcript, cite it like a regular article, including the title of the transcript and the date if available. Be specific about the part of the transcript you’re citing. If there’s no date for the transcript, use the original TED Talk date.
What if the TED Talk has been translated or adapted?
In the citation, specify the original speaker and year. Add the translator’s name if available and include the name of the translated work.