How to Cite a Television Program Using MLA Style

Television programs, even syndicated ones, can be used as reference material for research papers, as long as you cite them as such.

While it's not typical, it is likely that at some point in your scholastic career, you will actually need to reference a television program as source material for a research paper. When this happens, make sure to enjoy the show, but also take notes that will help you and subsequent readers identify and locate the show that you used to help you with your research. If you are an undergraduate, you will probably use MLA style to create a works cited page that contains vital information on all of your source materials.

Things You'll Need

• Name of the episode
• Name of the series
• Network
• Station
• City
• Broadcast date

Instructions

1. Begin with the name of the episode in quotation marks. If the show is not part of a series, then you will need to skip this. However, for the sake of example, say that the name of the episode was "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?" Your reference notes would then begin: "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?"

2. Underline the name of the series. If your word processor will not let you underline words, use underscore symbols to indicate that the title of the series should be underlined. If the series was called "Pets and Their People," then your citation would now read: "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?" _Pets and Their People_.

3. List the network and the station. The network can be abbreviated, if necessary, and followed by a period. The station should be followed by a comma. For example, if the show was put on by Fox Broadcasting and showed on Peachtree TV, then your citation should read: "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?" _Pets and Their People_. Fox. Peachtree TV,

4. Add the name of the city where the station is located and a period. Peachtree TV is based in Atlanta, Georgia, so your citation should now say: "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?" _Pets and Their People_. Fox. Peachtree TV, Atlanta.

5. Finish with the date that the show was broadcast. The date should be listed in the order "day month year." You can abbreviate the month by using the first three letters. For example, if the show aired on June 4, 2006, then your finished citation should read: "Dogs and Dog Owners: Who Owns Who?" _Pets and Their People_. Fox. Peachtree TV, Atlanta. 4 Jun 2006.

Tips & Warnings

• You must cite all source materials in order to avoid accusations of plagiarism.