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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA or Chicago

Let’s be honest: Sometimes the best information for a paper comes straight from a professor’s PowerPoint presentation. But did you know that source needs to be cited?

Whether you’re making use of your instructor’s lecture materials or pulling information from a Powerpoint found online, you need to make sure to cite your sources if you use information from it in a project or paper.

Here’s a run -t hrough of everything this page includes:  

• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA format
• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA format
• Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Chicago Style

By now, you’re probably familiar with how to cite websites, books or journal articles, but not as knowledgeable about how to cite a Powerpoint presentation. In actuality, citing PowerPoint presentations aren’t all that different from citing written materials, so don’t let yourself be phased! It’s not too hard and compiling an MLA works cited or APA reference page doesn’t take too long—each one should take just a few minutes to create.

To help you with the process, we’ve put together a handy guide demonstrating how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in three commonly used citation styles: MLA, APA and Chicago.

Let’s start by looking for basic information you’ll need for the citation.

Information you may need to cite a PowerPoint Presentation:

• Author or authors of the presentation
• Presentation title
• Date of publication/presentation
• Place of publication/where the presentation was given
• URL (if used to locate the presentation)

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA format:

MLA format citation structure:

Author Last Name, First Name. Presentation Title. Month Year, URL. PowerPoint Presentation.

Example citation :

Park, Lisa. Effective Working Teams . Jan. 2011, https://www.company.meetings/teams. PowerPoint Presentation.

In-text citation structure:

(Last Name)

Example in-text citation:

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA format:  

APA reference structure:

Author or Presenter Last Name, Middle Initial. First Initial. (Date of publication). Title of presentation [PowerPoint presentation]. Conference Name, Location. URL

Example reference:

Park, L. (2011, March 24-28). Effective working teams [PowerPoint presentation]. Regional Dairy Workers National Conference, New York, NY, United States. https://www.company.meetings/teams

Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Chicago Style:

Chicago citation structure:

Author Last Name, First Name. “Presentation Title.” Lecture, Location of Lecture, Month Day, Year.

Example citation:

Park, Lisa. “Effective Working Teams.” Lecture, The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY, January 11, 2011.

Troubleshooting

Solution #1: how to cite a powerpoint that has multiple authors..

For a presentation with multiple authors, list the authors alphabetically by last name for the full reference citation. The citation will list each author by Last Name, First Initial.

If the PowerPoint has just two authors, separate them with a comma and an ampersand (&). If the PowerPoint has more than two authors, list the authors separated by commas.

Reference examples:

Felner, D., & Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Felner, D., Nguy, A., Becham, G. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

For an in-text citation for two authors, give both surnames separated by an ampersand (&) followed by a comma and the year of publication or presentation.

For an in-text citation for three or more authors, list the first author’s surname followed by “et al.” followed by a comma and the year of publication or presentation.

In-text citation examples:

(Felner & Nguy, 2021)

(Felner et al., 2021)

For a PowerPoint with two presenters or authors, include both names in the full works-cited citation. The names need to be written as follows: First presenter’s Last Name, First Name, and then the second presenter’s First Name and Last Name.

For an in-text citation, simply list the surnames of both presenters.

In-text citation example:

(Nguy and Felner)

Work-cited entry example:

Nguy, Anna and Dominic Felner. The History of Claymation. Apr. 2021. PowerPoint Presentation.

For a PowerPoint with three or more presenters, only list one presenter’s name followed by a comma and “et al.”

For an in-text citation for three or more authors or presenters , list the surname given in the full works-cited citation followed by “et al.”

(Nguy et al.)

Nguy, Anna et al. The History of Claymation. Apr. 2021. PowerPoint Presentation.

Solution #2 How to cite a slideshow that wasn’t made with PowerPoint

If making a full works-cited citation for a slideshow that was made with another program other than PowerPoint, include the medium in brackets instead of PowerPoint.

If the presentation is not in PowerPoint, and you can’t determine what software was used, include the word “slideshow” in brackets in place of PowerPoint.

Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Prezi presentation]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Nguy, A. (2021 April 10-12). The history of Claymation [Slideshow]. Animation Now, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

The in-text citation will be formatted like any other APA in-text citation (author last name, year).

(Nguy, 2021)

At the end of your full works-cited citation, include the program the slideshow was made with, formatted as:  ______ Presentation.

If you are uncertain of the program used, end your citation with “slideshow” followed by a period. Nguy, Anna. The history of Claymation. Apr. 2021. Prezi Presentation. Nguy, Anna. The history of Claymation . Apr. 2021. Slideshow.

The in-text citation will be formatted like any other MLA in-text citation (author last name).

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Updated April 26, 2021.

Citation Guides

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To cite PowerPoint presentation slides, include the author name, year/date of presentation, the title, the source description, the website and/or university name, and the URL where the source can be found.

If the PowerPoint presentation is not accessible to the reader, cite the slides as personal communication.

If you want to cite a PowerPoint in MLA or APA style, you need to have basic information including the name of the author(s), title of the presentation, date and place of publication, and URL. For in-text citations, you need to include only the author name(s) in MLA style and author name(s) and year in APA style.  

APA in-text citations

(Author Surname, publication year)

(Dhanalakshmi, 2004)

MLA in-text citations

(Author Surname)

(Dhanalakshmi)

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Citing Sources in PowerPoint Slides

• PowerPoint - In-text Citations
• PowerPoint - References List

Note:  APA does not have specific rules about the format of PowerPoint slides.  Rasmussen University does have recommended guidelines outlined below and in the attached PPT presentation.

PowerPoint slides  may   need citations, depending on what type of information is included on the slide.

If the text on a slide is a quote (someone else's words, verbatim) or someone else's ideas in the presenter's own words, then a citation is needed.

If the text placed on a slide is simply a word or phrase that represents a topic that the presenter will be discussing in greater detail, then a citation is not needed.

The table below includes two PowerPoint slides (left side). The column on the right tells whether or not the information would need to be cited and why.

Speaker Notes:  Some assignments require text in the Speaker Notes area of the PowerPoint slide. If information from a source is quoted, summarized, or paraphrased in that area, an in-text citation and reference will likely be required. Ask your instructor for clarification.

• Presentations & APA Citation Style at Rasmussen University Great resource to share with students if they are having struggles with APA in PPTs.

PowerPoint Slides - References

There are two ways to include the Reference list in your presentation:

• Coordinating reference lists are typically handed out during or after the presentation either in print if presenting in person, or electronically if presenting online. This is the preferred method of including a Reference list of the sources cited in your slide deck.
• Include a Reference list in the last slide of the presentation. This is an acceptable method if there are not many resources to include. Avoid adding so many resources to the list that the type is not legible to those attending the presentation

Creating the Reference List Slide

• If you use outside sources in your presentation (noted in your in-text citations), you must cite those sources on a References page/slide.
• Your Reference page can be created in NoodleTools, exported to Microsoft Word, and distributed or submitted with your slides to those who attend your presentation. Ask your instructor if they would like a Reference slide as the last slide of your presentation. Note that you may need more than one slide depending on how many references are needed.

See the slide deck below for more information.

• << Previous: Missing Reference Information
• Next: Annotated Bibliographies >>
• Last Updated: May 7, 2024 10:19 AM
• URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa

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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 66,500 times. Learn more...

PowerPoint presentations often convey a lot of information in a brief format that's easy to understand. For this reason, they also make excellent sources for a research paper — especially if you're writing on a complex, cutting-edge topic. But how should you cite your source? The elements included in your citation are generally the same as those you would use for any other lecture or presentation. Your specific format will vary, though, depending on whether you're using the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago citation style.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages."

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. eecs.wsu.edu/~ananth/CptS317/Lectures/Course.pdf.

• For example, you might write: One of the objectives of the course is to introduce automata theory and the theory of computation (Kalyanaraman slide 3).

• The basic format for a personal communication in-text citation is as follows: (A. Lastname, personal communication, Month day, year).

• Example: Braun, M.

• Example: Braun, M. (2020).

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides].

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides]. http://medsci.indiana.edu/c602web/602/c602web/opt/braun/Diseases_NervousSystem.pdf

• For example, you might write: A subdural hemorrhage is a rotational injury that causes slow bleeding (Braun, 2020).
• If you use the presenter's name in the text of your paper, add a parenthetical immediately after the name with the year for the presentation. For example, you might write: Braun (2020) differentiates between different types of brain hemorrhages, which require different treatment.
• If you quote directly from the presentation, add the slide number after the year. For example, you might write: According to Braun (2020, slide 3), the "accumulation of junk" in the central nervous system can lead to problems.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation."

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020. http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.

• Example: Aswath Damodaran, "Intrinsic Valuation," (PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020), http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.
• After the first footnote, use a shortened format for subsequent footnotes with the last name of the presenter and the title of the presentation. For example:

Community Q&A

• If the slides come from a classroom website, company intranet, or learning management system (such as Canvas or Blackboard), use the URL only if you're writing for an audience that would have access to that system. [18] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• This article covers how to cite a PowerPoint presentation using the MLA 8th edition (2016), the APA 7th edition (2019), and the Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (2017). Consult your instructor or editor to make sure you're using the right edition for your citations. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://style.mla.org/citing_slides/
• ↑ https://research.moreheadstate.edu/c.php?g=610039&p=4234940
• ↑ https://libguides.capilanou.ca/mla/classnotes
• ↑ https://writeanswers.royalroads.ca/faq/199089
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA/lecture
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/powerpoint-references
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other#s-lg-box-wrapper-28673142
• ↑ https://library.ulethbridge.ca/chicagostyle/other/lecture
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other

About This Article

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA, use footnotes or endnotes to cite your sources. Then in the footnote, list the author’s last name followed by a comma then their first name. Then write the title of the lecture in quotes followed by the venue, the city it was held in, and the abbreviated date you accessed the work. You should put a period after each item. For instance, you might write, “Smith, John. ‘Sensitivity and Social Media.’ Today's Social Networks. Thomson Auditorium. Hamilton. Jan. 23, 2016. Keynote address.” To learn how to cite PowerPoint presentations in APA style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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APA Formatting and Style (7th ed.) for Student Papers

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Formatting a Powerpoint Presentation in APA 7th Style

The apa 7th manual and the apa website do not provide any specific rules about using apa format or citation in powerpoint slides. , here are some recommended guidelines:, 1. always follow any specific instructions given by your instructor., 2. you will need in-text citations on a powerpoint slide where you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing someone else's ideas. , 3. you also will include a reference list as your powerpoint's last slide (or slides). , this youtube video from smart student shows you how to create apa7th in-text citations and a reference list: .

• Citing and Referencing in Powerpoint Presentations | APA 7th Edition This video will show you how to create APA 7th in-text citations and a Reference page for your PowerPoint presentation.
• << Previous: Tables and Figures
• Next: Reference Page Examples >>
• Last Updated: May 3, 2024 2:22 PM
• URL: https://national.libguides.com/apa_7th

• Citation Generator
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How to Cite a Powerpoint in APA Format

Students may find useful sources prepared in slideshow format, like in PowerPoint or Prezi. Lectures, meeting notes, and other primary sources can be found in these presentations. Just like with any other source, you must cite PowerPoint presentations correctly in your APA 7 reference list. Learn how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA.

PowerPoint Slideshow APA Citation

While citing lectures, meeting notes, or other slideshow presentations, follow the standard APA 7 author/date citation format . State the author, date, and title of the presentation. Then, within brackets, place the format, such as [PowerPoint slides] or [ Prezi slideshow presentation].

If the presentation is accessible online, include the link . Often the lecturer will post slideshows on the school’s website.

Citation Format

Author, A. A. (year of publication).  Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Publisher. URL or DOI

Tenten, B. A. (2018). Outlining your APA research paper: An overview [PowerPoint slides]. Canvas@FNU. http://www.xxx.edu/ppt/xxxx

In-Text Citation Example

When you refer to a piece of information in the slideshow presentation, include the slide number.

Example of Direct Quotation

(Jones, 2014, slide 4)

Example of Paraphrase

(Jones, 2014)

Training Program PowerPoint Citation

Refer to these examples for how to cite a training program PowerPoint in APA format.

Training Program PowerPoint Reference List Example

Ramirez, L. (2010). Hospice volunteer training program  [PowerPoint slides]. Hospice. http://www.hospice/teams

Training Program PowerPoint – In-Text Quotation

(Ramirez, 2010, slide 9)

Training Program PowerPoint – In-Text Paraphrase

(Ramirez, 2010)

Training Program PowerPoint Reference List Example 2

Bonusly. (2016). 10 dead simple ways to improve your company culture [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/Bonusly/10-dead-simple-ways-to-improve-your-company-culture

Training Program PowerPoint 2 – In-Text Quotation

(Bonusly, 2016, slide 2)

Training Program PowerPoint 2 – In-Text Paraphrase

(Bonusly, 2016)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation

Citing lecture PowerPoint presentations works in much the same way.

Lecture PowerPoint Citation Reference List Example

Romero, C. (2013). A tour of the cell  [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/dalicano/06-cell-text-25594569

Lecture PowerPoint Citation – In-Text Quotation

(Romero, 2013, slide 5)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation – In-Text Paraphrase

(Romero, 2013)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation Reference List Example 2

Romero, C. (2014). Membrane structure and function  [PowerPoint slides]. Pearson Education.

Lecture PowerPoint Citation 2 – In-Text Quotation

(Romero, 2014, slide 8)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation 2 – In-Text Paraphrase

(Romero, 2014)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation Reference List Example 3

Johnson, A. (2010). Online database searching strategies  [PowerPoint slides]. San Jose State University. Classroom lecture.

Lecture PowerPoint Citation 3 – In-Text Quotation

(Johnson, 2010, slide 3)

Lecture PowerPoint Citation 3 – In-Text Paraphrase

(Johnson, 2010)

Meeting PowerPoint Citation 

When utilizing a PowerPoint presentation from a meeting, cite the source as follows.

Meeting PowerPoint Reference List Example

Lyman, J. (2016). Death and dying  [PowerPoint slides]. WeCare Hospice Services.

Meeting PowerPoint – In-Text Quotation

(Lyman, 2016, slide 4)

Meeting PowerPoint – In-Text Paraphrase

(Lyman, 2016)

Conference PowerPoint Citation 

PowerPoint presentations are common during conferences too. Cite them accordingly.

Conference PowerPoint Reference List Example

Das, S. (2017). Taming the ever-evolving compliance beast: Lessons learnt at LinkedIn [PowerPoint slides]. Strata, NYC. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/ShirshankaDas/taming-the-everevolving-compliance-beast-lessons-learnt-at-linkedin-strata-nyc-2017

Conference PowerPoint – In-Text Quotation

(Das, 2017, slide 10)

Conference PowerPoint – In-Text Paraphrase

(Das, 2017)

Conference PowerPoint Reference List Example 2

O’Reily, T. (2017). WTF: Why the future is up to us  [PowerPoint slides]. G20/OECD Conference.

Conference PowerPoint 2 – In-Text Quotation

(O’Reily, 2017, slide 14)

Conference PowerPoint 2 – In-Text Paraphrase

(O’Reily, 2017)

Conference PowerPoint Reference List Example 3

Smith, C. (2017). A1 and machine learning demystified  [PowerPoint slides]. Midwest UX 2017.

Conference PowerPoint 3 – In-Text Quotation

(Smith, 2017, slide 2)

Conference PowerPoint 3 – In-Text Paraphrase

(Smith, 2017)

• Lectures are primary sources.
• Do not add a period after the URL.
• Include the type of presentation software, if available.
• Include as much source data as possible.

Guide Your Reader

Remember, one of the APA citations’ purposes is to guide your reader to the same source you used. As such, it’s important to provide as much information as you can within your citation, following APA citation style guidelines.

Arranging Your APA Reference List

FAQ How to Cite a Powerpoint in APA Format

How do you in text cite a powerpoint in apa.

To cite a PowerPoint in text in APA, you include the author and date of the PowerPoint when you are paraphrasing. To make a direct in text citation of a PowerPoint in APA, you include the author, date, and slide number. (Johnson, 2020, slide 4)

How do you cite a professor's PowerPoint in APA?

To cite a professor's PowerPoint in APA, you include the author, publication year, title, [PowerPoint slides], publisher, and URL. A citation of a professor's PowerPoint slide example looks like: Johnson, C. (2020). Literature in retrospect [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/johnson/literature

How do you cite a presentation in APA?

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA, you include the author, date, title, [PowerPoint slides], location, publisher, and URL. An example of a presentation in APA from a PowerPoint looks like: Bailey, S. (2017). Taming the Facebook market [PowerPoint slides]. Strata, NYC. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/Bailey/taming-the-facebook-market/2017

How do I cite an online lecture in APA?

To cite an online lecture PowerPoint in APA, include the author, date, title, descriptor, publisher, and URL. You do not include a period after the URL. In action, an APA PowerPoint lecture online follows this format: Smith, C. (2020). A look at the psychology of death [PowerPoint slides]. Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/smith/psychology-of-death

How do I cite an online lesson in APA?

The citation for an online lesson in APA of a PowerPoint follows an online lecture format in PowerPoint. Therefore, you include the author, date, title, descriptor, publisher, and URL, if available. An example of an online lesson in action follows the format: Daren, C. (2020). Death in theory [PowerPoint slides]. The University of San Francisco.

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How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA

5-minute read

• 24th November 2023

If you want to use information from a PowerPoint presentation in your essay, you’ll need to cite it properly to get the marks you deserve . In this post, we’ll show you how to do that in line with the referencing system of the American Psychological Association (APA), using the 7th edition.

When to Cite the PowerPoint

First, a word of caution: If the information you want to cite from the PowerPoint originally comes from another source – if, for example, it is a quote from a book – you need to follow the guidance for citing that source type .

If the PowerPoint itself is the original source of the information you want to cite, you need to follow the guidance in this post.

Where to Cite the PowerPoint

In APA style, you’ll need to cite the PowerPoint in the text and, in some cases, include it in the reference list at the end of your essay. Let’s look at each of those in turn and see why sometimes the presentation has no place in the reference list.

In-Text Citation

APA uses an author–date style for in-text citations (those that appear in the body of your essay). But for PowerPoints, an added consideration will determine whether details other than the name of the author and the year of the presentation are needed: does your audience have access to the PowerPoint?

If Your Audience Has Access to the PowerPoint

• For a parenthetical citation , you’ll need to include the author’s surname and the year in parentheses, like this:

(Carter, 2023)

• For a narrative citation , you’ll need to include the year in parentheses immediately after naming the author in the text, like this:

Carter (2023)

If Your Audience Does Not Have Access to the PowerPoint

If your audience does not have access to the PowerPoint, it is effectively a personal communication . Therefore, you’ll need to follow the same system used for other such communications, a process that will involve more detail, as described below.

• For a parenthetical citation , you’ll need to give the author’s initial(s) and surname, the phrase personal communication , and as precise a date as possible. It should look something like this:

(D. Carter, personal communication, February 21, 2023)

• For a narrative citation , you’ll need to write the phrase personal communication and the date of the presentation in parentheses after the author’s name, like this:

D. Carter (personal communication, February 21, 2023)

If You’re Quoting Directly From the PowerPoint

To include a direct quote from a written source, you would include a page number. The equivalent for a PowerPoint presentation is to include the slide number after the year, like this:

(Carter, 2023, slide 6)

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Carter (2023, slide 6)

Reference List

When it comes to whether and how to include the PowerPoint in your reference list , the crucial question, again, is whether your audience will have access to it. There are three possibilities, which we’ll look at in turn.

PowerPoint Slides Available Online to Anyone

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is freely available online, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Host Site. URL

PowerPoint Slides Available Online With Log-In

If the PowerPoint you wish to cite is, for example, on a classroom website and can be accessed by your audience using a log-in, then you’ll need to follow this basic format:

Author Surname, First Initial. (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Site Name. URL

Because the site requires the user to log in, you’ll need to make sure the URL links to the login page.

PowerPoint Slides Not Available to Your Audience

If you cited the PowerPoint as a personal communication , it will not be available to your audience. Remember that the purpose of the reference list is to allow your audience to find the same source. If they can’t access it, don’t include it.

Following this guidance, you should be able to cite a PowerPoint in APA style confidently. Remember to ask yourself the following:

• If so, follow the guidance in this post to cite the PowerPoint itself.
• If not, follow the separate guidance for how to cite the original source of the information.
• If so, provide an in-text citation and include the source in your reference list .
• If not, include additional detail in the in-text citation and don’t put the source in your reference list.

If you’re still getting in a muddle over citations and referencing or if you would simply like the peace of mind that comes with having them checked by an expert, we have skilled proofreaders available 24-7 who can help. You can even try out our services for free .

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Chicago Citation Guide (17th Edition): Powerpoint Presentations

• What Kind of Source Is This?
• Advertisements
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• Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
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• Journal Articles
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• Works Quoted in Another Source
• No Author, No Date etc.
• Sample Paper, Bibliography, & Annotated Bibliography
• Powerpoint Presentations

On this Page

Powerpoint presentations - what do i need to cite, powerpoint presentations - where do my citations go, other digital assignments - where do my citations go, quick rules for a chicago bibliography.

Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. This is called a bibliography.

See an example in the "Sample Paper with Bibliography" box on this page.

Here are nine quick rules for this list:

• Start a new page for your bibliography (e.g. If your paper is 4 pages long, start your bibliography on page 5).
• Centre the title, Bibliography, at the top of the page and do not bold or underline it. Look for the alignment option in Word. 
• Leave two blank lines between the title and the first entry on your list.
• Single-space the list, but leave one blank line between entries.
• Start the first line of each citation at the left margin; each subsequent line should be indented (also known as a "hanging indent").
• Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the citation. In most cases, the first word will be the author’s last name. Where the author is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title, ignoring the words a, an, the.
• For each author, give the last name followed by a comma and the first name followed by a period.
• Italicize the titles of full works , such as: books, videos (films and television shows), artwork, images, maps, journals, newspapers, magazines.
• Do not italicize titles of parts of works , such as: articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals / essays, poems, short stories or chapter titles from a book / chapters or sections of an Internet document. Instead, use quotation marks.

What am I legally required to cite in my digital assignment?

According to the Copyright Act, you must cite the sources (images, videos, books, websites, etc.) that you used in your digital assignment ( 29.21(1)(b) ). You must cite the source (where you got the information from) and the creator of the content (if available). You must also make sure that any copyrighted materials you used in your assignment meet the conditions set out in section  29.21  of the Copyright Act. For a list of conditions and more information, please visit:  http://studentcopyright.wordpress.com/mashups/

What citation style do I use for the sources in my digital assignment?

There is no one required citation style, so please defer to your instructor's directions and citation style preference.

List your sources in a slide at the end of the Powerpoint presentation, with footnotes throughout your presentation as applicable.

You could also provide a print copy of the sources you used to those attending your presentation.

Chicago Powerpoint Example by Haidee Kowal

Seneca Libraries has the following recommendations for how to organize your list of sources for digital assignments. Please check with your instructor first:

Videos you create: 

List your sources in a credits screen at the end of the video.

Websites you create:

• For images, include a citation under each image using this format “From: XXXX” and then make the image a link back to the original image ( example  - picture of little girl). Or list the citation at the bottom of the web page.
• For quotes or material from other sources, include an in-text citation that links back to the original material ( example  – second paragraph).

Images you create: 

If possible list your sources at the bottom or side of the image ( example ). Otherwise, include a list of citations alongside the image wherever it’s uploaded (e.g. Flickr, Blackboard).

**Please note that the above are recommendations only and your instructor may have a preference and directions for how and where you list your sources for your assignment.**

If you don't receive specific instructions from your instructor, try to include your citations in a way that doesn't impact the design of your digital assignment.

For more information please contact Seneca Libraries copyright team at  [email protected]

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Harvard Referencing Guide: PowerPoint Presentations

• Introduction to the Guide
• The Harvard Referencing Method
• Cite Them Right Style
• Referencing Example
• Cite-Them-Right Text Book
• Online Tutorials
• Reference List / Bibliography
• Introduction
• Short Quotations
• Long Quotations
• Single Author
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• Three Authors
• Four or More Authors
• 2nd Edition
• Chapter in an Edited Book
• Journal Article - Online
• Journal Article - Printed
• Newspaper Article - Online
• Newspaper Article - Printed
• Webpage - Introduction
• Webpage - Individual Authors
• Webpage - Corporate Authors
• Webpage - No Author - No Date
• Film / Movie
• TV Programme
• PowerPoint Presentations
• YouTube Video
• Images - Introduction
• Images - Figure from a book
• Images - Online Figure
• Images - Online Table
• Twitter Tweet
• Personal Communication
• Email message in a Public Domain
• Course notes on the VLE
• Computer Games
• Computer Program
• General Referencing Guide >>>
• APA Referencing Guide >>>
• IEEE Referencing Guide >>>
• Research Guide >>>
• PowerPoint Presentation

Audiovisual Media - Powerpoint Presentation

PowerPoint Pr esentation

E xample -  Presentation available online and accessible by anyone

The full reference should generally include

• Year (in round brackets)
• Title of the presentation (in italics)
• [PowerPoint presentation] in square brackets
• Available at: URL
• (Accessed: date)

In-text citation

Full reference for the Reference List

Example: PowerPoint presentation from a learning management system such as the VLE

• Author or tutor
• Year of publication (in round brackets)
• Title of the presentation (in single quotation marks)
• Module code: module title (in italics)
• Available at: URL of the VLE

Example : Full reference for the Reference List

Audiovisual Material

Film / movie

TV programme

PowerPoint presentation

YouTube video

Harvard Referencing Guide: A - Z

• APA Referencing Guide >>>
• Bibliography
• Books / eBooks - 2 Authors
• Books / eBooks - 2nd Edition
• Books / eBooks - 3 Authors
• Books / eBooks - Individual Chapter
• Books / eBooks - Introduction
• Books / eBooks - More than 3 Authors
• Books / eBooks - Single Author
• Chapter in an edited book
• Cite Them Right - Style
• Cite Them Right - Text book
• Conversation - Personal
• Direct Quotations - Introduction
• Direct Quotations - Long
• Direct Quotations - Short
• Emails - In a Public Domain
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• Fax message
• General Referencing Guide >>>
• Harvard Referencing Method
• Reference List
• Skype Conversation - Personal
• Support - 'Cite Them Right' textbook
• Support - Online tutorials
• Text Message
• Webpage - Corporate Author
• Webpage - Individual Author
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• Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024 11:31 AM
• URL: https://libguides.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/HarvardReferencing

APA Citation Guide (7th Edition)

• What's New in the 7th Edition - Handouts!
• APA Citation Resources
• Basic Information
• Bias-Free Language
• When Information Is Missing
• Ethics Code
• Figures/Images
• Media Sources
• Reference Lists
• Finding the DOI
• Formating a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style
• Academic Integrity & Plagiarism
• Academic Writer This link opens in a new window

How to format a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style:

The APA manual does not have a section on how to format a PowerPoint presentation, but y ou can follow APA style guidelines within your PowerPoint . For example:

• Include the same information on your title slide that you would have on a title page. 
• Include in-text citations for any quote, paraphrase, image, graph, table, data, audio or video file that you use within your presentation. Please note that photographs are considered figures in APA style. See section 7.30 of the APA manual for more information about this.
• The last slide will be your References List. 
• “No citation, permission, or copyright attribution is necessary for clip art from programs like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint” (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, p. 346).
• Do not reproduce images without permission from the creator or owner of the image. See section 12.15 of the APA manual for more information about this.

How to cite PowerPoint slides in your References List

You will use the following format to cite PowerPoint slides:

Author, A. A. (year).  Title of presentation  [PowerPoint slides]. Website Name. https://xxxxx

Please note that “if the slides come from a classroom website, learning management system [e.g., Blackboard], or company intranet and you are writing for an audience with access to that resource, provide the name of the site and its URL (use the login page URL for sites requiring login)” (APA, 2020, p. 347). Don't forget to indent the second and subsequent lines.

Goodwin University. (n.d.).  Social media and marketing communications: Written/Oral project outline . [PowerPoint slides]. Blackboard. https://goodwin.blackboard.com

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• Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 10:11 AM
• URL: https://goodwin.libguides.com/apastyle

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Apa

If you’re working on a research project or presentation, citing your sources is an essential part of the process. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of citing a PowerPoint presentation, specifically using APA citation style. We’ll cover everything from the importance of citing your sources to the formatting requirements for references pages. So, let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Understanding APA Citation Style for PowerPoint Presentations

APA (American Psychological Association) citation style is one of the most commonly used citation styles in academia. The APA citation style is used by social scientists and researchers alike to give credit to the sources they used in their research. The APA citation style is particularly useful for citing PowerPoint presentations because it provides a clear structure for citing sources that can help you avoid plagiarism and ensure your work is credible.

When citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, it is important to include the author’s name, the date the presentation was created, the title of the presentation, and the location where it was presented. Additionally, if the presentation was retrieved from an online source, the URL or DOI should be included in the citation. It is also important to note that any images or graphics used in the presentation should be cited as well, following the same guidelines as other sources.

Introduction to APA Guidelines for Citing PowerPoint Presentations

The APA guidelines for citing PowerPoint presentations are relatively easy to follow, and they can be broken down into two main parts: in-text citations and references. In-text citations are used when you are directly quoting or paraphrasing information from a PowerPoint presentation. References are a list of sources that you have cited in your work and may include the author, date of publication and other details such as the title and location of the presentation.

It is important to note that when citing a PowerPoint presentation, you should also include a description of the format in brackets after the title. For example, if the presentation was a lecture, you would include [Lecture slides] after the title. Additionally, if the presentation was retrieved online, you should include the URL or DOI in the reference. Following these guidelines will ensure that your citations and references are accurate and complete.

Why is Citing Sources in PowerPoint Presentations Important?

Citing sources in PowerPoint presentations is crucial because it helps you to avoid plagiarism and gives credit to the author of the original content. Citing sources also helps you to support your arguments with evidence and gives credibility to your work. A properly cited PowerPoint presentation can also help your audience to follow your argument and verify the information presented.

Moreover, citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation shows that you have conducted thorough research and have a deep understanding of the topic. It also demonstrates your respect for intellectual property and academic integrity. By citing sources, you are contributing to the academic community by acknowledging the work of others and building upon their ideas.

The Basic Elements of a PowerPoint Presentation Citation in APA Style

The basic elements of an APA citation for a PowerPoint presentation include the author’s name, the date of the presentation, the title, and the location of the presentation. The format for in-text citations includes the author’s last name and date of publication of the presentation. For example: (Smith, 2018).

It is important to note that if the PowerPoint presentation was retrieved from an online source, such as a website or database, the citation should also include the URL or DOI. Additionally, if the presentation was part of a larger conference or event, the citation should include the name and date of the conference or event. It is crucial to follow APA guidelines for citations to ensure proper credit is given to the original source and to avoid plagiarism.

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA: Step-by-Step Guide

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, follow these steps:

• Begin with the surname of the author or presenter of the PowerPoint presentation.
• Follow the author’s name with their first initial
• Provide the date of the presentation in parentheses, followed by a period.
• Add the title of the presentation in italics.
• Add the retrieval statement, which includes the URL or DOI of the presentation if available.
• Here’s an example of a complete APA citation for a PowerPoint presentation:

Meyer, G. (2016). The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/GinaMeyer/the-impact-of-social-media-on-adolescents

It is important to note that if the PowerPoint presentation was part of a larger work, such as a conference or symposium, you should include the name and location of the event in the reference list entry, not in the in-text citation. Additionally, if the presentation was not publicly available online, but was accessed through a private source, such as an email attachment or personal communication, it should be cited as a personal communication instead of a PowerPoint presentation.

Finally, it is recommended to double-check the citation format with your instructor or the publication you are submitting to, as different sources may have slightly different requirements for citing PowerPoint presentations in APA style.

Tips and Tricks for Accurate Citation of PowerPoint Presentations in APA Style

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style can be challenging, especially if you are new to the citation process. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you cite your sources accurately.

• Consider getting a reference management system that can help you keep track of your sources and generate citations automatically.
• Use citation generators to create your citations quickly and easily, but be sure to check the accuracy of the generated citations manually.
• Double-check your references before submitting your work to ensure they are complete and accurate.

It is important to note that when citing a PowerPoint presentation, you should include the author’s name, the date the presentation was created, the title of the presentation, and the location where it was presented. If the presentation is available online, you should also include the URL or DOI. Additionally, if you are citing specific slides within the presentation, you should include the slide number(s) in your citation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing a PowerPoint Presentation in APA

Even though citing PowerPoint presentations in APA style is relatively straightforward, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid.

• Not including all the necessary information in the citation, such as the author’s name, date, and title of the presentation.
• Forgetting to italicize the presentation title, which is a requirement in APA style.
• Inconsistently formatting your citations throughout your work.
• Failing to include in-text citations for direct quotes or paraphrasing information from the presentation.

Another common mistake to avoid when citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style is failing to include the URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the presentation. Including the URL or DOI is important because it allows readers to easily access the presentation if they want to learn more about the topic. Additionally, if the presentation is not publicly available, you should include a note indicating that it is an unpublished presentation.

How to Reference a PowerPoint Presentation in APA: Examples and Samples

The following are examples of how to reference a PowerPoint presentation in APA style:

Buchanan, E. (2017). Encouraging Self-Regulated Learning in Higher Education. [PowerPoint presentation]. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/EmmaBuchanan1/encouraging-selfregulation

Armitage, G. (2018). “Introducing Cryptocurrency”. [PowerPoint presentation]. Teesside University.

When referencing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, it is important to include the author’s name, the year of publication, the title of the presentation, and the source of the presentation. Additionally, if the presentation was presented at a conference or event, it is important to include the name and location of the event.

Another important consideration when referencing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style is to ensure that the formatting is consistent with other references in your paper. This includes using proper capitalization, italicizing the title of the presentation, and using proper punctuation.

How to Cite Multiple Authors in a PowerPoint Presentation Using APA Style

To cite multiple authors in a PowerPoint presentation using APA style, follow these guidelines:

• For two authors, list both names separated by an ampersand (&).
• For three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.”
• If the authors are listed on the presentation slide, include only the first author’s name in the in-text citation, followed by “et al.”

Differences Between In-Text Citations and References for PowerPoint Presentations in APA Style

In-text citations and references are two essential parts of the citation process and are often confused with one another. In-text citations appear in the body of your work and are used to signal that you are using someone else’s ideas or words. On the other hand, references appear on a separate references page at the end of your work and provide the reader with detailed information about the sources cited in your work.

How to Cite Images, Graphs, and Tables from a PowerPoint Presentation in APA Style

Images, graphs, and tables are commonly used in PowerPoint presentations, and you may need to cite them in your work. Here are some guidelines for citing these elements in APA style:

• Use the author’s name, date, and title of the image, graph, or table to create an in-text citation. Example: (Smith, 2018, Figure 2).
• To cite images, include the type of medium in brackets. Example: [Image].
• To cite graphs or tables, include the type in brackets. Example: [Table].
• Include a full reference for each image, graph, or table in your references page.

How to Format Your References Page for APA Citations of PowerPoint Presentations

The references page is an essential part of the citation process, and it’s where you list all the sources you cited in your work. Here’s how to format your references page for APA citations of PowerPoint presentations:

• Start your references page on a new page at the end of your document.
• Title your references page “References” and center it at the top of the page.
• List your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name.
• Include the title of the presentation in italics, followed by the date of the presentation and the URL or DOI if available.

Best Practices for Properly Citing Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation

Now that you know how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Always cite your sources accurately and completely, including authors, dates, titles, locations, and any other information needed to identify the source.
• Consistently use APA style formatting for in-text citations and references.
• Check the accuracy of your citations manually, even if you use citation generators or reference management software.
• Double-check any specific citation requirements from your professor or institution.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Citing a PowerPoint Presentation Using APA Style

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style is an essential part of the research process, and it can be challenging if you are not familiar with APA citation guidelines. By following the guidelines provided in this article, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA style and creating high-quality, credible, and well-researched work.

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How to Cite a Website, Book, YouTube Video, etc. in PowerPoint

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Citing a source in a report or paper is pretty easy – you just give the source details according to a particular style of citation.

But, when it comes to presentations and speeches, do you know how to correctly cite your sources?

It seems like quite a basic question at first, but when it comes to the practicalities and technicalities, the answers aren’t so easy to come by.

Sure, quotes may be simple enough to introduce, but what about all the other information, data, facts, figures, and images you use? Do you know how to present that information and give proper legal credit without disrupting the flow of your presentation?

No? Then read on!

Important Legal Note:  This is not legal advice. For full details on copyright laws and Fair Use licenses, please check the  US Copyright Office .

Table of Contents

Why citing your sources is important.

Your audience needs to know where the information, visuals, or any other materials you use in your presentation come from.

Very often our presentations and speeches are informed by or based on the work of others and this needs to be acknowledged. Likewise, audio, visual, or video is copyright protected.

Citing sources and creative owners can also help keep you on the right side of copyright law and fair use licenses….more on this below.

Make your work more credible

Citing gives your audience a good impression by proving how well you know your stuff. By attributing work to the rightful owners, you also show integrity.

A well-cited presentation appears well-researched and properly developed; and hence, it’s often better delivered, and better received.

Give the audience access to information

The whole point of a presentation or speech is to share knowledge. By citing your sources, you give your audience the opportunity to learn more about your subject and do their own research if they so wish.

Citations and Copyright

If you use someone else’s copyrighted material in your presentation without citing the creator – or if you cite them incorrectly – you may likely be guilty of copyright infringement.

Copyright infringement is only 100% avoided by getting the copyright owner’s explicit permission.

You can, however, use copyrighted material without permission if you can show that it doesn’t infringe on Fair Use.

To learn more about Fair Use, see this article  here  on the U.S. Copyright Office website.

This can be a rather gray area, as what is considered to be ‘fair use’ can be open to interpretation. Generally speaking, Fair Use takes into consideration the following:

• the purpose and character of the use
• the profit or nonprofit cause
• the nature of the protected work
• how much of the work is used
• how the use affects the value or future demand of the work

For example, if you use a copyrighted photograph just because it looks cool, use it as your background image on a PowerPoint slide, or repeatedly use it so that it becomes associated with your brand, then this is not Fair Use.

If you use the photograph to make a point, illustrate an idea, or for educational purposes, and also give proper accreditation to the copyright owner even if you don’t have permission, then that might be considered Fair Use and would probably be fine.

How to do in-text citations in PowerPoint

In-text citations are citations you see on the screen, and are often in the same format you’d see in a written report.

If your slide refers to a study, for example, you will need to add the copyright details. To do that, simply add the name of the author, the work and the publication in parentheses after the reference.

For example, in parenthesis: (Author, Date).

This is particularly useful when presenting quotes or insightful facts and figures that support your message.

Note: This type of citation sometimes doesn’t leave enough room for all the information you need to provide. In this case, you can add a Sources slide at the very end of your presentation

Adding footnote citations

You can also use footnotes on your PowerPoint slides to give citations.

Next to the text you would like to reference, add the number ‘ 1 ’ for your first citation. Highlight it, and then from the ‘Home’ option, open the Font box and select ‘ Subscript ’ and click on ‘ OK ’.

Then, click on ‘ Insert ,’ select a text box and then draw it onto your slide. Enter the same number as you used in the text, and type your source details. You will likely want to reduce the size of the text.

Note: When I talk about footnotes here, I don’t mean the Header & Footer feature in PowerPoint. You can write your citations inside the Footer placeholder, but keep in mind that the text you type in here will display on every slide that has the Footer enabled.

Verbal citation during a presentation

For some material, you may choose not to give an in-text citation, but rather give credit verbally. Be sure to introduce the source before you present the information and keep it brief so that it doesn’t slow down the flow of your presentation.

Here are some example phrases:

• According to Dr. Richards, professor of Such and Such at This University,…
• John Dean, author of the 2015 study, A Study of Something, argues that…
• Jane Gordons, a journalist writing for the New York Times, offers this example….

Use speaker notes to help you cite verbally

It is a good idea to add the full citation details in the speaker notes so that you make sure you relay the correct details.

Also it ensures that the full citations will be seen should you share your slides with audience or team members after the presentation, or print them.

How to cite a website

If you are wondering how to cite websites, that’s probably because not all websites provide the authors name for you to cite (making it a bit more difficult).

If you can’t find the website authors name you can instead cite the website’s address. And you don’t have to copy and paste the whole URL when citing websites either.

When citing a website, you just need to give enough information so that your audience knows where the information came from and how to get more details if they want to check it out.

Here are the common elements you’ll need to properly cite a website in your presentation:

• Website or author name
• Page name or article title
• Exact URL of website
• Page date of publication

See the cited website example in the picture below.

How to cite a picture or image

There are countless places for pictures that are available for free and public use according to Creative Commons licensing. You can search  Flickr  and  Google Advanced Image Search  by filtering the results by ‘Creative Commons’.

There are also sites providing stock images which are royalty free and can be used without attribution, such as  Pixabay  or  Pexels .

Always check the licensing agreements, as some images may have ‘some rights reserved’ or specific requirements for citations.

The common elements you’ll need when citing a picture are:

• Creator’s name
• Title of the picture
• Date and location of publication
• Publisher or website
• Picture URL

To create the citation in PowerPoint, you can insert a small text box and add the details in a readable way, as you can see in the example below.

To learn how to crop a picture in PowerPoint into different shapes as pictured above,  read our guide here .

How to cite a YouTube video

While YouTube is a free online streaming service, you shouldn’t assume that you can use anyone’s video without properly citing it.

Here are the common elements you’ll need to create a YouTube video citation:

• Creator’s name or screen name
• Video title
• Website name
• Publication date

Whichever citation method you use, should at a minimum credit the creator of the video (real name if possible, but their username will suffice), and the year the video was posted. For example: (Nuts & Bolts Speed Training, 2014).

In the notes for full referencing, you’ll need more details:

Author/Username. (month, day, year). Title of video (Video file). Retrieved from  http://URL.com .

Nuts & Bolts Speed Training. (June 25, 2014). 4 PowerPoint Tricks You Don’t Know (Video File). Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05OW0Ce8rT8 .

How to cite a book

Books are another common reference material you’ll want to properly cite in your presentations.

Here are the common elements you’ll need when citing a book (same-same for a magazine):

• Author name
• Publication date and location
• Publisher name

If you are paraphrasing from a book, include an in-text citation of the author and the year (Brown, 2005) or the author, year and the page number (Brown, 2005, p.13), immediately following the text.

Another option for your citation, is to include them in Speaker Notes so that if you print your notes as handouts, the speaker notes will appear there.

NOTE: For help printing your speaker notes, see our guide on Printing PowerPoint with speaker notes .

How to cite a lecture (talk or speech)

Like for books and quotes, the in-text citation will need the author’s last name and the year the speech or talk was presented, written in parenthesis: (Gordon, 2017).

In your PowerPoint notes, it should be fully cited with the name, year, title of the talk and the format, and where it took place. For example:

Gordon, B. (2017). The Theory Behind Big Business. Presentation, Atlanta.

How to cite a song

When it comes to using a song in your presentation, there are a many variables as to whether it’s an infringement of copyright laws. Unauthorized use of a song can be allowed under the concept of ‘fair use’ as detailed above.

If you are in any doubt, obtain the license or get permission. The process is relatively straightforward and doesn’t always mean a hefty fee. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking and getting permission or making sure you acknowledge the copyright owner.

You can give acknowledgment on the PowerPoint Slide with in-text citation on the appropriate slide or as a ‘sources slide’ at the end of your presentation:

To get permission, here are three main licensing companies that you can contact for further info: 

• ASCAP ( American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers )
• BMI ( Broadcast Music Incorporated )
• SOCAN ( Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada )

How to cite a presentation

If you want to include a slide or information gained from another PowerPoint presentation that has been published, you can use an in-text citation just as if you were citing a book.

To cite a presentation, simply cite the author’s name and the year the presentation was produced, (Dean, 2007).

In the notes you’ll add the details of “PowerPoint slides”, when it was “Retrieved from” and the URL. It should look something like this:

How to cite a quote

In the same way as you would quote from a book, an in-text citation with the author of the quote is fine.

Some quotes from historical source won’t have a book, page number or publisher to cite. In these cases, the author name (and year if possible) is sufficient.

Note:  Make sure that you thoroughly check the quote’s source if you find the quote online.

There are far too many misquoted and misattributed sayings out there and there’s nothing more embarrassing than citing the wrong person in your presentation.

So that’s how to cite a variety of different sources in your PowerPoint presentations including:

• How to cite books
• How to cite websites
• How to cite YouTube videos
• And a bunch of other sources

While in-text citation may take a little more work, it is better than keeping all of your sources in the conclusion. That’s because the end of your presentation should be punchy, memorable, and leave your audience with a good impression (see our tips for how to end a presentation  here ).

This is particularly true as, your audience isn’t able to flip back to see which citation goes with which image, quote, video, website, etc. Giving them the details at the same time as the material allows them to take note of it there and then.

It’s a small detail but makes a huge difference when it comes to delivering a seamless and informative presentation.

If you enjoyed this ultimate guide to citing sources in PowerPoint, you’ll love our other PowerPoint training course and resources that you can  check out here .

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How-To Geek

How to cite pictures in powerpoint.

If you're using a third-party image or photo in PowerPoint, you'll probably need to cite the author or source underneath. Here's how.

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How to cite pictures and images in powerpoint, grouping citation text and images together in powerpoint.

Billions of images are on the internet---but not all of them are free to use. When you add licensed photos to PowerPoint documents, you'll probably need to cite where it's from and who made it. Here's how.

Before we begin, it's important to remember that how you cite pictures may vary. Formal citation is required in an academic setting, where formal styles like APA are used for documents. Alternatively, copyright licensing may require you to cite images in a different way, depending on the license used.

The process for citing pictures and images in PowerPoint is actually quite simple. Unlike citations in Microsoft Word or other Office software, PowerPoint isn't really designed with referencing in mind. That doesn't mean you shouldn't cite pictures in PowerPoint---it may still be a requirement for academic and licensing reasons.

To cite an image or photo in PowerPoint, you'll need to first open a PowerPoint presentation and  insert a picture or image.

Related: How to Insert a Picture or Other Object in Microsoft Office

To add a citation to the image, you'll need to add a text box. To do this, click Insert > Text Box on the ribbon bar.

Next, draw your text box using your mouse or trackpad---place this under your image or in a suitable position close by to it.

Once the text box is created, you can add the citation.

Refer to the relevant image licensing guide or academic style guide on how to do this. For academic referencing, you can use the Cite This For Me service to create a citation which you can copy into your text box.

Once your citation is in place, you can then format the text using the formatting options in the ribbon bar under the "Home" tab.

It's probably a good idea, once your citation is in place, to anchor it to your image  using the PowerPoint grouping feature.

Related: How to Anchor Pictures to Text in PowerPoint

To do this, select both your citation text box and image using your mouse and then right-click. In the options menu that appears, select Group > Group to bind the image and text box together.

By grouping your citation text box and image together, any changes you make to your image (for instance, resizing or moving it) will now be applied to both simultaneously.

To ungroup them later, simply repeat the steps above by right-clicking your image or text box and then clicking Group > Ungroup instead.

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Acrobat AI Assistant Is the Latest Chatbot to Go to the Office

T he chances of  finding an AI assistant at work are that much greater today, as Adobe announced the availability of its Acrobat AI Assistant for enterprise customers.

The tool  debuted in February in beta as a way to help pull information from PDFs, provide summaries of long text, answer questions and format information for sharing.

If three's a trend, chatbots at work are officially one now, following news from  Amazon and  Anthropic about their own generative AI-powered bots that are targeting business users. The  popular consumer technology is making the leap from home to office to help employees generate story ideas, condense lengthy content, navigate internal policy documents, analyze financial statements and keep up with industry trends.

Acrobat AI Assistant lets you "chat" with PDFs and other content types, including Word documents and PowerPoint presentations, via a conversational interface. The assistant also recommends questions and provides answers based on what the document contains.

Functionality also includes summary and citation generation, so you can more easily digest documents and verify where the assistant's answers came from.

This allows employees to "spend less time searching for information and more time on high-value work," according to a press release.

"Our content team reduced the amount of time on common tasks significantly using Acrobat AI Assistant for identifying insights from keynotes, workshops and meetings," Kamal Bhadada, president of consulting firm TCS Interactive, said in a statement.

Acrobat AI Assistant features are available through an add-on subscription to Reader and Acrobat enterprise and to individual customers. A spokesperson didn't disclose pricing details but said early access pricing is available starting today.

The features are available in English. Additional languages are coming soon, she said.

Editors' note: CNET used an AI engine to help create several dozen stories, which are labeled accordingly. The note you're reading is attached to articles that deal substantively with the topic of AI but are created entirely by our expert editors and writers. For more, see our AI policy .

10 Tips for a Persuasive Presentation

Powerful presentation is persuasion. here's how to elevate your impact..

Posted May 11, 2024 | Reviewed by Ray Parker

• Presentations aim to effect change. It's essential to be clear about what change you want to see.
• Powerful presenters embrace and extend empathy to seek first to understand their audience.
• Substance and style both matter to create an audience-informed communication experience.
• Persuasive presentations are relevant, reasoned, real, and resonant.

How many of us realize that giving a presentation or making a speech is all about persuasion , influence, and emotional intelligence ? Impactful presenters understand the power of empathy to understand and engage their audience, the efficiency and kindness of having a clear objective and message, and the importance of substance and style—all as a way to connect in a way that engages and inspires.

Much has been written on the power and behavioral science of persuasion, not least by expert Robert Cialdini. His bestselling book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion explains seven research-based universal principles of influence .

From my experience as a leadership coach working with thousands of people worldwide, I have compiled a list of ten essentials to elevate our presentation.

1. Maintain an "other" focus. What do you know about your audience and how can you find out more? Ask yourself what kind of a speaker will appeal to your audience, what arguments are likely to resonate with them, and what feelings you want to inspire so the audience will positively respond to your ask. If your audience is predominantly data-driven, you may want to use more evidence-based arguments. If the audience is mixed, a combination of data, authority, and storytelling may be more appropriate. Extend Daniel Goleman’s three types of empathy to gather intelligence , understand your audience, and tailor your intervention to connect more profoundly.

2. Determine a specific objective: Presentations aim to effect change in some way. What change do you want to see in your audience? Every presentation aims to change the audience in some way. For instance, gaining their approval for a certain investment, soliciting their buy-in for a change, or creating a sense of enthusiasm for an idea or initiative. The purpose of a presentation is to bring about change so make sure you are clear on what kind of change you want to bring about.

3. Design a grabber: Our attention spans have shrunk as we have more and more competing demands on our attention . If you want to get someone’s attention you need to grab it at the outset and try and hold on. You can do this in a number of different ways. Throw out a question that demands a response from the audience. Give a surprising fact or statistic, or quote from a well-known figure. Tell a story or an anecdote. A good grabber captures the attention of everyone there, and makes them focus on what you have to say.

4. Crystalize your message and construct your arguments : Your message is the heart of your speech. Craft a brief phrase that clearly defines your proposal in 10-12 words. For example, “This post is about crafting presentations that inspire and engage others to elevate their presentations.” Make it memorable by choosing inspiring words, symbols, catchy expressions, something that will remain in the audience's mind. As Brené Brown says: “Clear is kind,” and a clear message provides a path to develop your ideas.

When you have a clear and concise message, it helps you formulate your arguments. Think of developing your arguments using the rule of three —three compelling arguments to convince but not overwhelm your audience.

5. Prepare a call to action: Remember, we want to change our audience in some way, so we need to make our ask in a clear and concrete manner.

Consider your call to action in terms of what you want your audience to think/feel/do:

• Think—“I want you to think about how you can improve your presentations.”
• Feel—“I want you to feel enthusiastic and motivated so that you can elevate your power to persuade.”
• Do—“I want you to try out some of these tips and tools for yourself.”

6. Craft a memorable closing: Close the speech in an elegant and memorable way. We need people to remember what we've told them, so prepare it well. This is not the time to improvise. Try to connect your closing to your opening grabber, which makes the presentation more memorable. Good preparation means preparing everything to the very end—finish well.

7. Plan your delivery: A dynamic speaker draws listeners in by using vocal variety (tone, intonation, speed, volume, pace, pauses, silence) and body language (posture, gestures, expression, and movement) to highlight important points and hold the audience’s attention. Be intentional: How will you use your voice and your body to emphasize a thought or idea? Think about it: If you increased the time you spent on style or delivery by 20 percent, what would it mean for the impact you make?

8. Think about how you will engage your audience : You want the audience to feel considered throughout. Include pauses so they can process what’s being said; connect with individuals throughout the room and make deliberate eye contact while speaking, especially when delivering key points. Read and respond to the audience by changing how you deliver as you go based on the audience’s nonverbal communication .

9. Rehearse and Practice: Practice is one of the most crucial elements of presenting—and probably the most neglected one. If this is new to you start by reading your presentation in front of a mirror to get comfortable speaking your presentation. Next, video yourself and watch out for nervous or distracting habits to eliminate them and identify any areas where you can improve your delivery. If you are feeling brave, practice in front of an audience and ask for feedback.

10. Prepare your success rituals and mantra: Public speaking and/or stage fright can feel debilitating for some. Have your calm-down ritual prepared and ready to go before you start your presentation. This might be a certain gesture, a power pose, breathwork, or a mantra. Try this tip: Identify three adjectives to describe how you would like to show up during this presentation. This sets an intention and helps focus our cognitive and emotional resources on success.

Powerful presenters embrace and extend empathy to seek first to understand their audience. They use this intelligence to carefully make choices about substance and style to create an audience-informed communication experience that feels relevant, reasoned, real, and resonant and creates a pathway for change.

Palena Neale, Ph.D. , is a women’s leadership coach, lecturer, and founder of unabridged, a boutique leadership development practice.

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