How to Cite a Netflix Show in MLA Format
Citing Netflix in MLA 9
To cite a Netflix show in MLA 9, you must include the episode title, series name, contributors, season and episode numbers, release year, and the streaming service. This guide breaks down the specific formatting rules for your Works Cited page and in-text citations to ensure academic integrity and proper credit.
Step 1: Start with the Episode Title
Begin your citation with the specific episode title enclosed in double quotation marks. Follow the title with a period inside the closing quotation mark. If you are citing an entire series rather than a specific episode, skip this step and start with the series title. Using the episode title allows readers to locate the exact segment of the narrative you are referencing in your essay.
Step 2: Provide the Series Title and Contributors
Write the series name in italics, followed by a comma. Next, list relevant contributors such as the creator or lead performers if they are central to your argument. Use phrases like 'created by' or 'performance by'. This information helps distinguish between different versions of shows or highlights the specific creative work you are analyzing in your research paper.
Step 3: List Season, Episode, and Year
Include the season number (abbreviated as 'season') and the episode number (abbreviated as 'no.'). Follow this with the release year of the episode and a comma. For example, a citation might look like 'season 1, no. 5, 2022,'. This data provides the chronological context necessary for the reader to understand when the content was produced and where it sits in the series timeline.
Step 4: Identify the Container and URL
Identify Netflix as the container by writing it in italics. Follow this with a comma and the URL (permalink) for the show. Omit the 'https://' prefix from the URL. End the entire citation with a period. Because streaming libraries change, providing the direct link to the Netflix landing page for that specific show is a requirement for modern MLA digital citations.
Netflix Citation Example
Below is a standard Works Cited entry for a specific episode of a Netflix original series:
`"The Alchemist." The Witcher, created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, season 1, no. 5, 2019, Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/80189685.`
For an in-text citation, use the first element of the Works Cited entry (the episode title) and a timestamp:
`("The Alchemist" 00:15:20-00:16:10)`Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when citing streaming content:
- Forgetting italics: Always italicize the series name and the word 'Netflix'.
- Using 'p.' for timestamps: Never use page number abbreviations for video. Use the HH:MM:SS format for in-text timestamps.
- Including the URL prefix: Remove 'https://' from your URLs to match MLA 9 standards.
- Misplacing periods: Ensure the period goes inside the quotation marks for the episode title but outside the parentheses for in-text citations.
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