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How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA | Format & Examples

Published on December 7, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 5, 2024.

To cite a PowerPoint or other slide-based presentation in MLA style , the format depends on how you viewed the presentation.

If the slides are available to view online, the format is similar to that for a website : provide the author and title of the presentation, the name of the site in italics, the date it was posted, and the URL.

Use a slide number to indicate the location of the relevant information in in-text citations.

You can also use our free MLA Citation Generator to help create MLA citations with ease.

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Table of contents

Citing a powerpoint you viewed in person, citing content reproduced in a powerpoint, frequently asked questions about mla citations.

If you viewed the PowerPoint in person and it isn’t available online, cite it using details of the context in which you viewed it: the name of the course, the date the lecture was given, and the name and location of your university.

You can also add the optional label “PowerPoint presentation” for clarity.

Note that citing an online version is the best option if possible, since it allows your reader to consult the presentation directly.

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If you want to cite content reproduced in a PowerPoint (like an image or quotation from someone other than the person who created the slides), it’s best to cite the original source if possible. Try looking for source information in the slides, or asking the lecturer.

However, if necessary, you can treat it as a source contained within a source. Cite details of the original source first, and then include details of the presentation as a container, including the slide where the relevant quote or image appears at the end.

For example, the following format shows how to cite an artwork from a presentation.

When you want to cite a PowerPoint or lecture notes from a lecture you viewed in person in MLA , check whether they can also be accessed online ; if so, this is the best version to cite, as it allows the reader to access the source.

If the material is not available online, use the details of where and when the presentation took place.

MLA recommends citing the original source wherever possible, rather than the source in which it is quoted or reproduced.

If this isn’t possible, cite the secondary source and use “qtd. in” (quoted in) in your MLA in-text citation . For example: (qtd. in Smith 233)

If a source is reproduced in full within another source (e.g. an image within a PowerPoint  or a poem in an article ), give details of the original source first, then include details of the secondary source as a container. For example:

If a source has no author, start the MLA Works Cited entry with the source title . Use a shortened version of the title in your MLA in-text citation .

If a source has no page numbers, you can use an alternative locator (e.g. a chapter number, or a timestamp for a video or audio source) to identify the relevant passage in your in-text citation. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the author’s name (or the title).

If you already named the author or title in your sentence, and there is no locator available, you don’t need a parenthetical citation:

• Rajaram  argues that representations of migration are shaped by “cultural, political, and ideological interests.”
• The homepage of The Correspondent describes it as “a movement for radically different news.”

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2024, March 05). How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA | Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/mla/powerpoint/

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Cite Sources / How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA or Chicago

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).

Hello all paper writers! Take a moment to try our spell checker , or refresh your knowledge on English basics with our EasyBib grammar guides ! Discover a determiner definition , learn what is an adverb , review an interjection list , and more.   

Updated April 26, 2021.

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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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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA

Your instructor just gave a fabulous lecture in PowerPoint that you could use in your MLA paper. But how do you cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style? Learning how to format an in-text citation for PowerPoint in MLA isn’t as hard as you might think. But, it will depend on if the presentation was given during a lecture or if you found the PowerPoint online. For clarity, you’ll learn both how to cite PowerPoint lectures and online PowerPoint presentations for your PowerPoint bibliography or works cited.

How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA

PowerPoint presentations can make great sources to back up your research. But, when it comes to citing them, you might be lost. You can cite a PowerPoint presentation as a non-lecture or a lecture. Learn how through examples.

How to Cite a Non-Lecture PowerPoint Presentation

For a non-lecture PowerPoint presentation, you’ll need:

• Instructor’s name
• Title of lecture
• Title of course
• Date of lecture
• Type of presentation

Your PowerPoint works cited entry will include all of the information listed above, following the MLA citation format below.

Non-Lecture PowerPoint Works Cited Format

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of PowerPoint Presentation.” Title of Course, Date of PowerPoint presentation, Location of presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

If the slideshow was created by other presentation software, such as Prezi, use that instead.

For the in-text citation of a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style, include the instructor’s name and the slide number, as in this example.

In-Text Citation PowerPoint MLA: Non-Lecture

(Torres, slide 3)

If you don’t know the slide number, you may leave it out.

How to Cite Lectures in MLA

If your instructor presented the PowerPoint slideshow during your regular classroom time, you can cite the PowerPoint presentation as a lecture in MLA format . For how to cite lectures in MLA, recognize that this is going to look a little different from the non-lecture PowerPoint works cited and in-text citation formats.

Works Cited Format for Lecture in MLA

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Title of Course, Date of lecture, Location. Lecture.

Lecture Works Cited Example

Torres, Javier. “Adam Smith: Bible of Capitalism.” Philosophy 101, 26 May 2018, Highlands University. Lecture.

In-Text Citation PowerPoint MLA: Lecture

MLA Works Cited Slide in PowerPoint

Lectures can be considered primary sources and you may find useful sources within the Works Cited slide. The Works Cited slide is usually the last slide of the presentation and is formatted the same way as it would be for a research paper allowing for a smaller size. MLA uses a Works Cited page rather than a PowerPoint bibliography or references list.

Although lectures are primary sources and you can use them to back up your research, it is often better to use other sources like published  peer-reviewed articles and books.

Creating a MLA Works Cited PowerPoint Slide

If you are preparing a research-based PowerPoint presentation, make sure you include a Works Cited slide and proper in-text citations. This means that you’ll follow the same formatting guidelines and core elements to cite your sources in your Works Cited slide as you would for a written paper. Remember that this isn’t a PowerPoint bibliography, as you’ll only list sources you cited directly in your presentation.

How you cite each entry will be different depending on the source. If you used a book, follow the citation for a book in MLA . If you need to cite a play, you would follow the MLA play citation format .

PowerPoint, Prezi and other slideshow software offer a fun and interesting way to inform your readers about your MLA school essay.  Slideshows can be converted easily into videos and posted on YouTube and other sites.

PowerPoint Presentations in MLA

Whether you are creating a PowerPoint presentation of your own or you are citing one, it is all about formatting. Just follow the guidelines of the MLA citation system and you will be golden. And if you need a little help, you can’t go wrong with the MLA citation page for further guidance.

MLA Format and Citations

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How to Cite an Interview in MLA

How to cite the bible in mla works cited, writing numbers in mla style, mla paper format: simple guidelines to follow.

How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA

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Full Citation Rules

In-text citation rules, how to cite (practically) anything in mla.

• Cite anything in MLA
• Cite a PowerPoint in APA
• Cite a PowerPoint in Chicago
• Cite a Conference in MLA
• Cite a Keynote in MLA
• Cite a Keynote Address in MLA
• Cite a Keynote Speech in MLA
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• Cite a Slide in MLA
• Cite a Slide Deck in MLA
• Cite a Slideshow in MLA
• Cite a Speech in MLA
• Cite a Short Play in MLA
• Cite a Sonnet in MLA
• Cite an Audiobook in MLA
• Cite the Quran in MLA
• Cite a Multivolume Work in MLA
• Cite a Play in MLA
• Cite Romeo And Juliet in MLA
• Cite a Homeric Hymn in MLA
• Cite an Introduction in MLA
• Cite a Mathematical Theory in MLA
• Cite an Anthology in MLA
• Cite an Online Lecture in MLA
• Cite a Journal in MLA
• Cite a Footnote in MLA
• Cite an Abstract in MLA
• Cite a Famous Saying in MLA
• Cite a Graphic Novel in MLA
• Cite Greek Mythology in MLA
• Cite Hamlet in MLA
• Cite Shakespeare in MLA
• Cite a Journal Article in MLA
• Cite a Cover Story in MLA
• Cite a Magazine in MLA
• Cite a Magazine Article in MLA
• Cite a Magazine Cover in MLA
• Cite an Art Catalog in MLA
• Cite a Biography in MLA
• Cite a Book in MLA
• Cite a Book Cover in MLA
• Cite a Chapter in MLA
• Cite Dialogue in MLA
• Cite the DSM in MLA
• Cite a Museum Exhibition in MLA

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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. 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 67,985 times.

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

You Might Also Like

• ↑ 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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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Class Notes and Presentations

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Instructor's presentation slides (e.g. powerpoint), class lecture heard in person, instructor's notes or handout provided in class, article from course pack prepared by instructor.

Note : For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of PowerPoint Presentation." Title of Course, Date of PowerPoint presentation, Columbia College. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Paulson, Paul. "ANTH 110: Week 2: The Nature of Culture." Anthropology 110, 15 Jan. 2016, Columbia College. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

(Instructor's Last Name)

Example: (Paulson, slide 5)

Note: if you know the slide number, include it in your in-text citation. If not, leave it out.

Learn more: See  MLA Handbook ,   p. 52 for examples of descriptions at the end of citations. P.70 shows that course titles are not italicized.

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Lecture." Title of Course, Date of lecture, Columbia College. Lecture.

Paulson, Paul. "The Nature of Culture." Anthropology 110, 15 Jan. 2016. Columbia College. Lecture.

Example: (Paulson)

Learn more: p.52 of the MLA Handbook provides an example of a lecture heard in person. P. 70 shows that course titles are not italicized.

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Handouts/Notes." Name of Course, Columbia College. Date handout was received. Course handout.

Kurtis, Mark. "Critical Analysis." English 100, Columbia College. Received 5 May 2016. Course handout.

Example: (Kurtis)

Learn more: See MLA Handbook , p. 52 for examples of descriptions at the end of citations. P.70 shows that course titles are not italicized.

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Course pack for Name of Course, compiled by First Name Last Name of Instructor, Semester, Columbia College.

Brown, Stephen. "Ethical Use of Language." Course pack for English 100, compiled by Dan Smith, Winter 2020, Columbia College.

(Author's Last Name Page Number)

Example: (Brown 20)

Learn more: See MLA Style Guide at  https://style.mla.org/citing-course-pack-material

MLA Handbook

Abbreviating Months

In your works cited list, abbreviate months as follows: 

January = Jan. February = Feb. March = Mar. April = Apr. May = May June = June July = July August = Aug. September = Sept. October = Oct. November = Nov. December = Dec.

Spell out months fully in the body of your paper. 

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It may be useful to cite information from class lectures and presentations in your work. Examples of how to do so are provided on this page.

Instructor Notes or Class Handouts

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Handouts/Notes." Name of Course, College Department, University of Nevada, Reno. Date notes were received. Course handout.

Kurtis , Mark. "Critical Analysis." College English, College of Liberal Arts, University of Nevada, Reno. Received 5 May 2016. Course handout.

Instructor Presentation Slides (e.g. PowerPoint)

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of PowerPoint Presentation." Date of PowerPoint presentation, Title of Course, College Department, University of Nevada, Reno. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. 

Paulson, Marianne. "HUM 100: Week 5: Rome and Rise of Empire." 31 Mar. 2012, The Development of Western Thought, College of Liberal Arts, University of Nevada, Reno. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA

It’s pretty common to have a slideshow presentation in a meeting or classroom lecture. These visuals help attendees view graphs and follow along with the lecturer. It also makes it a little easier to take notes. Many times, presentations are even uploaded to websites for later viewing. If you want to reference a PowerPoint presentation in your MLA paper, you’ll need to know how to cite it correctly.

PowerPoint Citation Example

If your instructor presented the PowerPoint slideshow during your regular classroom time, you can cite it as a lecture in MLA style:

In-Text Citation

Works Cited  Format

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Title of Course, Date of lecture, Location.   Lecture.

Works Cited Example

Torres, Javier. “Adam Smith and the ‘Bible of Capitalism’.” Philosophy 101. 26 May 2018. Highlands University. Lecture.

Non-Lecture Format

If you accessed the PowerPoint presentation at a later date or outside of the classroom, use this format to cite the source in MLA style.

In-Text Citation  Example

(Torres, slide 3)

If you don’t know the slide number, you may leave it out.

MLA Works Cited Format

As you create your works cited list, you will need to include any lectures or meeting notes. You’ll use the instructor’s name and the title of the course in the entry. Then, add the type of presentation, such as Prezi or PowerPoint.

Works Cited Format

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of PowerPoint Presentation.” Title of Course,   Date of PowerPoint presentation, Location of presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Torres, Javier. “Adam Smith: Bible of Capitalism.” Philosophy 101, 26 May 2018, Highlands University, Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

If the slideshow was created by other presentation software, such as Prezi, use that instead.

Works Cited Slide

Lectures are considered primary sources and you may find useful sources within the Works Cited slide. The Works Cited slide is usually the last slide of the presentation and is formatted the same as it would be for a research paper allowing for a smaller size. MLA uses a Works Cited page rather than a bibliography or references list.

Although lectures are primary sources and you can use them to back up your research, it is better to use other sources like published peer-reviewed articles and books.

Preparing a PowerPoint Presentation

If you are preparing a research-based PowerPoint presentation, make sure you include a Works Cited slide and proper in-text citations . PowerPoint, Prezi and other slideshow software offer a fun and interesting way to inform your readers about your MLA school essay .  Slideshows can be converted easily into videos and posted on YouTube and other sites.

MLA Style Guide

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Creating MLA 8 In-Text Citations

Preparing to write mla college papers, tips for writing good mla thesis statements, creating hanging indents for your mla works cited list.

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How to Cite PowerPoint Presentations in APA & MLA Formats

Whether you're a student or teacher, you rely on sources to do your research. You probably already know that it's important to also cite your sources. But you might not know how to cite certain types of sources, for example, PowerPoint presentations.

There are more types of resources available to students than ever before and the proper way to cite those resources isn't always clear. For example, with SlideShare (link to our tutorial) you've got access to hundreds of PowerPoint presentations. 

If you're wondering "how do you cite a PowerPoint" when you use one of those presentations in a paper, this tutorial is for you. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to cite a PowerPoint in APA format. We'll also cover citing a PowerPoint in MLA format. Once you've discovered how to properly cite presentations, we'll share some additional presentation resources in case you've got to create your own presentation.

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation Properly 

When you're writing an academic paper, you typically need to cite your sources at the end in a bibliography. You may also need to cite a source in the body of your paper. Let's take a closer look at how two of the most common style guides handle citing PowerPoint presentations.

Note :  If you're using the PowerPoint presentation for an academic assignment, be sure to check your own school's style guidelines to determine which format they require. You may also find that your school has additional requirements for citations .

How to Cite a Presentation in APA Format

APA format provides guidelines for consistently writing in a clear format. It includes standards for citing references in PowerPoint presentations as well as standards for citing images in PowerPoint, citing tables or figures, and citing many other types of information.  Although it was originally created for written documents, the citation guidelines have been expanded to take into consideration websites and other digital publications.

If your lesson requires you to use APA format to cite your sources and you're using a PowerPoint presentation as a source, you'll be expected to treat the PowerPoint presentation very much like you would another source with a few differences. Start with the author's last name and first initial. Add the middle initial if given. This is followed by the year the presentation was published and the title of the presentation.

The two differences between citing a PowerPoint presentation in APA format and another work is that you'll put the phrase " PowerPoint slides " in brackets after the title of the presentations followed by the phrase " Retrieved from " and the URL where you found the presentation.

Here's an example of a properly formatted PowerPoint citation for a bibliography in APA format ( based on a fictitious source ):

Perez, J. (February 2018). How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples  [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved August 1, 2018, from https://anytownconsulting.com/ppt/graphics-sell.html

For a citation in the body of the paper use the author's last name and the date the speech was published:

(Perez, 2018)

If you've got other types of sources you need to cite in APA Style or if you've got questions about APA style, you can find answers on the  APA Style site .

How to Cite a Presentation in MLA Format

Another popular format required by many educational institutions is the MLA format. This style guide is from the Modern Language Association, which is a scholarly association that supports the study of languages and literature. MLA format is commonly used for assignments in the Humanities or Liberal Arts academic areas.

If you're required to use MLA format to cite your sources and one of those sources is a PowerPoint presentation, the format is very similar to the APA format for citing a PowerPoint source with a few important differences. Start with the author's last name, first name and middle name (if given). That's followed by the title of the presentation and the year it was published. If you've got the tile of the website where the presentation is published, list that. Next comes the URL where you found the PowerPoint presentation. If you're referencing a specific slide in the presentation list that slide number.

Here's an example of a properly formatted PowerPoint citation in MLA format (based on a fictitious source):

Perez, Juan. "How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples."  AnyTown Consulting Website, Jan. 2018,  http://anytownconsulting.com/ppt/graphics-sell.html. Slide 10.

If you're citing a slideshow you attended in person as a source, provide the date and location of the presentation. If the presentation is part of a course, include the name of the course as well:

Perez, Juan. "How to Design Graphics That Sell With Examples." Web Design 101: Introduction to Web Design, April 10, 2018, Anytown Community College. Slide 10.

If you've got other types of sources you need to cite in APA Style or if you've got questions about MLA style, you can find answers on the MLA Style site . You can learn more about the Modern Language Association their site.

Helpful Presentation Templates for Students and Educators

Whether you're a student, college professor, or primary school teacher (or other type of educational professional) — your job probably involves giving a lot of presentations. If you're looking for a presentation PowerPoint template you should consider getting a premium template. Premium templates can save you a lot of time because they come prebuilt with professional design elements already in place. All you need to do is paste your own images and information into the handy placeholders. And, they're really easy to use.

Of course, you could create your own PowerPoint slide designs from scratch. But that can be time-consuming—especially if you're not a professional graphic designer. You're much better off using a premade template to get a head start on the way your presentation looks. That way, you can spend the bulk of your project time on research and writing.

If you're a professor, teacher, or even a student who creates a lot of PowerPoint presentations, you'll want to consider investing in an Envato Elements  subscription. For one low monthly price you'll get unlimited access to our entire library of easy-to-use PowerPoint templates, WordPress themes, video tutorials, and more. It's an investment you'll use again and again.

Even if you just have an occasional need for a PowerPoint presentation template, you can still access a library of professionally designed templates through GraphicRiver for a one-time fee.

Let's take a look at some of the best PowerPoint presentation templates for educators and students from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver :

1. Creativa Education PowerPoint

The Creativa Education PowerPoint template works well for any educational purpose. This attractive theme includes templates for 30 unique slides. Plus, there are three premade color themes. Both widescreen and standard format templates are included. If you're a university student, you may want to take a closer look at this one.

2. Fresh Creative Chalkboard Presentation  

This fun PowerPoint template is perfect for teachers and other educators. Simulate a chalkboard with either the classic green or a stylish gray background. Great for the classroom or even a learning-themed presentation. The template includes the Scratch kit font. There's also a PSD file with a smart object layer.

3. Education& Science Infographic PowerPoint

Here's the perfect theme with great editable infographics! This colorful science-themed template is full of education-friendly features:

• Easy-to-edit
• Documentation

If you're a science teacher, be sure to explore this kid-friendly PowerPoint template.

4. Campuz- University PowerPoint Template

Whether you're a teacher, a professor, or a student—you'll love the Campuz - University PowerPoint Template. It's chock full of useful features. For example, it 25 map slides that would be just perfect for a geography or history lesson. It also includes 24/7 support.

5. Puzzle- Education PowerPoint Template

Make learning fun with this puzzle-themed template. And who doesn't love a good puzzle? This great template includes 30 unique slides (including an infographic). Plus, there are three different premade color themes. And there are templates for both wide screen and standard formats. Just replace the image placeholders with your own pictures and add your own text.

6. Education PowerPoint Presentation Template

This popular education template provides plenty of options. And it comes with free support. Here's just some of what it includes:

• 54 unique slides
• 90 color themes
• 3 aspect rations
• Light and dark backgrounds

Don't overlook this one!

7. Solar System Education Presentation

Whether you're a student with a science presentation or an someone who teaches science you'll love this unique presentation template on the solar system. And it comes with 34 custom slides. It's based on free fonts. This would be especially good for teachers of the primary grades.

8. Education Template

The Education template works well for both educational and business presentations. With over 2700 vector icons and 5 pre-made color schemes, this is a very flexible template. It includes map infographics. All the graphics are editable.

9. Armeni: PowerPoint Presentation

Here's a great business PowerPoint presentation template that can be used for professional presentations as well as educational presentations. This attractive minimalist design will help your slideshow to capture your audience's attention. Choose from 54 different unique slides. It's built with the PowerPoint slide master tool so your presentation stays consistent.

10. Kids Presentation Template

The Kids Presentation Template features bright, cheerful designs and primary colors. This would be great for a primary school teacher or even a principal! There are more than 30 unique slides. Choose between 17 color schemes. And it works with three different aspect rations (16:9, 4:3, and A4). Plus it's easy to customize by adding your own images and text.

Learn Even More About Using PowerPoint

In this tutorial, you learned how to cite PowerPoint presentations using two popular style guides: APA format and MLA format. Whether you're a teacher or a student, citing your references properly is important for academic projects.

If you want to learn all about how to use PowerPoint, study one   of our  PowerPoint learning guides .  Here are some of our most popular PowerPoint tutorials to get you started:

If you'd like to explore more great premium PowerPoint templates to get a head start on your next presentation slideshow, this article features some great templates for inspiration:

For more details on how to use a PowerPoint presentation, study this tutorial:

Get This New eBook on Making Great Presentations ( Free Download )

We have just the right complement to an educational PowerPoint template, that'll help you learn the complete process of how to write, design, and deliver great presentations.

Download  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations   now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that will move your audience.

Use the Proper Style to Cite Presentations for Your Next Academic Project

Citing sources in PowerPoint for academic projects can be tricky. You just learned the right way to cite a PowerPoint in APA format or MLA format. We've also explored the benefits of using templates as a head start when you create your own presentation. Plus, you've seen some of our best education-themed templates from  Envato Elements  and GraphicRiver.

Good luck on your next academic project!

How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA Style

PowerPoint presentations are common sources in academic work. This guide covers live lectures, conference presentations, and online slide decks. You’ll learn the parts of a PowerPoint citation, see examples, and get tips to avoid errors.

Essential Elements of a PowerPoint Citation in MLA

Author’s Name

The PowerPoint creator is the author. This can be one person or a team. List all primary authors to give proper credit.

Title of the Presentation

Write the presentation title in quotation marks. Use the exact title as it appears on the PowerPoint.

Date of the Presentation

Include the presentation date. It shows when the information is current and helps readers understand its context.

Medium of the Presentation

State the presentation medium. This tells readers if it was online, a live lecture, or part of a conference.

In-Text Citations for PowerPoint Presentations

How to insert in-text citations.

For in-text citations, use the author-page format. If there’s no author, use a short title. Place the citation in parentheses at the sentence end, before the period.

Examples of Proper In-Text Citations

For example:

(Smith 12) or if the author is unknown: (“Climate Change” 15).

This guides the reader to the corresponding entry in the Works Cited list, ensuring they can find the full details. Proper citations prevent plagiarism. They credit the original creators and uphold academic integrity.

Creating a Works Cited Entry for a PowerPoint

Formatting the works cited page.

Format the Works Cited page with double spacing and hanging indents. Place it at the end of your document with full details of all cited sources.

Order of Information: Structuring Your Citation

Structure your citation as follows:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Presentation.” Title of the Conference or Event , Date of Presentation, Location. Medium of Presentation.

Real-Life Examples: Citing Different Types of PowerPoints

For a live presentation:

Smith, John. “The Future of Renewable Energy.” International Energy Conference , 15 May 2023, Boston Convention Center. PowerPoint presentation.

Special Cases and Variations

Citing a powerpoint from a conference.

When citing a conference PowerPoint, include the conference name and location. This gives additional context and helps in locating the presentation.

Handling Multiple Authors or Presenters

If multiple authors or presenters are involved, list them in the order they appear on the title slide of the presentation. Use the word “and” to separate the last two authors.

Citing an Online PowerPoint Presentation

For online presentations, include the URL at the end of your citation. Example:

Jones, Emily. “Digital Marketing Trends.” Marketing 101 Webinar , 22 March 2023. PowerPoint presentation. https://www.example.com.

Tips for Accurate and Efficient Citation

To streamline the process, use citation tools and software like WriterBuddy. These tools can help you generate accurate MLA citations quickly and efficiently.

What are the essential elements required for citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style?

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style, you need the author’s name, the title of the presentation in quotation marks, the date of the presentation, and the medium (e.g., PowerPoint presentation).

How do I handle multiple authors when citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style?

When citing a PowerPoint with multiple authors, list them in the order they appear on the title slide, using the word “and” to separate the last two authors.

Can I cite an online PowerPoint presentation in MLA style, and how?

Yes, you can cite an online PowerPoint presentation in MLA style by including the URL at the end of your citation along with the author, title, date, and medium.

What are common mistakes to avoid when citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style?

Common mistakes include omitting essential elements, incorrect formatting, and inconsistency. Always ensure you include the author, title, date, and medium, and double-check your sources for accuracy.

Citing PowerPoint presentations in MLA style involves key elements: author, title, date, and medium. Use quotation marks for titles and include the presentation format. For in-text citations, follow the author-page format. Create a properly formatted Works Cited page at the end of your document. These steps ensure accurate attribution and maintain academic integrity in your work.

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Referencing: MLA Style

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MLA Style for Presentations

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According to the Modern Language Association, how "...to include such information in projects other than the research paper is not yet a settled matter" but they do offer a few suggestions ( MLA Handbook,  128):

• include brief citations on each slide that uses borrowed material (quotations, paraphrases, images, videos, and whatever else you copy or adapt)
• add a works-cited list on a slide at the end
• consider providing your audience with a printed copy of your works-cited list

MLA Handbook . 8th ed., Modern Language Association, 2016. 

SEE ALSO how to cite IMAGES and TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS .

• MLA Style PowerPoint Presentations Preparing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style? Follow the slideshow below for information on how to prepare your presentation. From Bennett College, Greensboro, NC.

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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings

• What Kind of Source Is This?
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On This Page: Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings

• Instructor's Presentation Slides (PowerPoint)
• Instructor's Presentation Slides from Moodle

Class Lecture Heard in Person

Instructor's notes or handout provided in class.

• Instructor's Handout from Moodle

A Course Reading from Moodle

Article from course pack prepared by instructor, abbreviating months.

In your works cited list, abbreviate months as follows: 

January = Jan. February = Feb. March = Mar. April = Apr. May = May June = June July = July August = Aug. September = Sept. October = Oct. November = Nov. December = Dec.

Spell out months fully in the body of your paper. 

Note : For your Works Cited list, all citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

Instructor's Presentation Slides (e.g. PowerPoint)

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of PowerPoint Presentation." Title of Course,   Date of PowerPoint presentation, Columbia College. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. 

Instructor's Presentation Slides (e.g. PowerPoint) from Moodle

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. Title of PowerPoint Presentation .  Moodle, uploaded   by Instructor's Last Name, Date of PowerPoint presentation, https://moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. 

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. Lecture. Title of Course,  Date of lecture,  Columbia College.  

Instructor's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Handouts/Notes." Name of Course, Columbia College. Date handout was received. Course handout.

Instructor's Notes or Handout from Moodle

Title of Handouts/Notes.  Moodle , uploaded by Instructor Name, upload date [if known], moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/.

Author Last Name, Author First Name. "Title of Article, Essay, Story, or Poem."  Moodle , uploaded by Instructor Name, upload date [if known], moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/.

Note: Sources that are linked on Moodle, rather than uploaded as a file such as a PDF, do not need to list Moodle as a container. Cite linked sources according to the guidelines for that kind of source (such as a journal article from a library database). The MLA Style Center has more guidance on citing online handouts and readings . Keep in mind that this guidance was produced for the 8th Edition of MLA, so you may need to adapt your citation to the latest general rules and guidelines for the source type.

 Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Course pack for Name of Course, compiled by First Name Last Name of Instructor, Semester, Columbia College.

Learn more: See MLA Style Guide at  https://style.mla.org/citing-course-pack-material

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How to Cite a PowerPoint in MLA Style The Beginner’s Guide

Understanding MLA citation is crucial for academic integrity. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA style. We'll provide clear examples and valuable tips to ensure your citations are accurate and in compliance with MLA guidelines.

What Is MLA Citation? (With Examples)

MLA citation, an essential component of academic writing, provides a standardized format for acknowledging sources. It stands for Modern Language Association, an organization that developed this style guide to ensure consistency and credibility in scholarly work.

Overview of MLA Style Citation:

MLA citation encompasses various elements, including the author's name, title of the source, publisher, and publication date. It offers a structured approach to attributing information to its original creators. This not only upholds academic integrity but also allows readers to trace the sources of information.

Examples of MLA Citation :

Author: Smith, John.

Title: "The Art of Writing."

Publisher: Penguin, 2020.

Example MLA Citation : Smith, John. The Art of Writing. Penguin, 2020.

Journal Article:

Author: Brown, Sarah.

Title: "Exploring Linguistic Patterns."

Journal: Language Studies Quarterly, vol. 45, no. 3, 2019, pp. 123-135.

Example MLA Citation : Brown, Sarah. "Exploring Linguistic Patterns." Language Studies Quarterly, vol. 45, no. 3, 2019, pp. 123-135.

Author (if available): Davis, Emily.

Title: "The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife."

Website: Environmental Insights, 2021.

Example MLA Citation : Davis, Emily. "The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife." Environmental Insights, 2021.

Purpose and Benefits of In-Text Citation:

In-text citations serve a dual purpose in academic writing. Firstly, they give credit to the original author or source, acknowledging their intellectual contribution. This prevents plagiarism and supports academic honesty. Secondly, in-text citations provide a roadmap for readers to locate the full citation in the Works Cited page.

When Do You Need an In-Text Citation?

You should include an in-text citation whenever you directly quote or paraphrase someone else's work. This applies to any information, idea, or data that is not considered common knowledge. Even if you summarize a concept from a source, it's essential to attribute it to the original author.

How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA Format

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA format is essential to give proper credit to the original creator and ensure academic integrity. Here's a guide on how to do it:

There are two main formats for citing a PowerPoint presentation in MLA format:

1. PowerPoint presentation that is available online:

Author last name, First name. “Presentation Title.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL. PowerPoint presentation.

Smith, Jane. “Introduction to MLA Style.” Academic Citation 101, 15 Nov. 2018, https://www.company.meetings/teams. PowerPoint presentation.

2. PowerPoint presentation that is not available online:

Author last name, First name. “Presentation Title.” Course Name, Day Month Year, University Name, City. PowerPoint presentation.

Jones, Michael. “The History of the Civil Rights Movement.” American History 101, 12 Feb. 2023, Yale University, New Haven. PowerPoint presentation.

If there are multiple authors for the PowerPoint presentation, make sure to list all their last names followed by their first names, using commas to separate them.

In case the presentation was part of a conference or workshop, be sure to mention the name of the event in your citation.

If the PowerPoint presentation is accessible on the internet, don't forget to include the URL in your citation.

If the presentation is not accessible online, provide details about where you viewed it, such as the university name and city.

Always conclude the citation by adding the term "PowerPoint presentation" to clarify the type of source you're referencing.

In-text citation for a PowerPoint presentation:

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in-text, simply include the author's last name and the year of the presentation in parentheses. For example:

(Smith 2018)

If you are citing a specific slide from the presentation, you can include the slide number in parentheses after the year. For example:

(Smith 2018, slide 5)

By following these guidelines, you can cite PowerPoint presentations in MLA format correctly and give your readers the information they need to find the sources that you have used.

Easiest Way to Cite in a PowerPoint with MLA Format

Citing in MLA format within a PowerPoint presentation can be a seamless process. Follow these steps for a hassle-free experience:

Step 1 : Go to www. Scribbr.com .

Step 2 : Select MLA style.

Step 3 : Click on the Citation generator tab.

Step 4 : Enter the information for your PowerPoint presentation.

Source type: Select Presentation from the drop-down menu.

Author: Enter the last name and first name of the author(s) of the presentation.

Title: Enter the title of the presentation.

Date: Enter the date that the presentation was given.

URL: If the presentation is available online, enter the URL in the URL field.

Slide number: If you are citing a specific slide from the presentation, enter the slide number in the Slide number field.

Step 5 : Click on the Generate citation button.

This will generate an MLA citation for your PowerPoint presentation.

Step 6: Copy and paste the citation into your PowerPoint presentation.

To do this, simply select the citation and press Ctrl+C to copy it. Then, go to your PowerPoint presentation and press Ctrl+V to paste the citation.

You can also use a citation manager tool to help you cite your sources in MLA format. Citation manager tools can automatically generate citations for you and add them to your PowerPoint presentation.

If you are citing multiple sources in your PowerPoint presentation, you can create a separate References slide at the end of your presentation. This is a good way to keep your citations organized and easy to find.

Edit PowerPoint Presentations for Free with WPS Office

WPS Office is a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet editor, presentation editor, and PDF editor. It is compatible with a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Office formats. This means that you can open, edit, and save PowerPoint presentations created in Microsoft Office using WPS Office.

Features in WPS Office that Microsoft Office does not offer for free:

PDF editing: WPS Office includes a built-in PDF editor that allows you to edit PDF files directly. This is a feature that is not available in the free version of Microsoft Office.

Built-in free delicate templates store: WPS Office includes a built-in store with thousands of free templates for presentations, documents, and spreadsheets. This is another feature that is not available in the free version of Microsoft Office.

Step-by-step guide on how to use PowerPoint for free in WPS Office:

Step 1 : Go to the WPS Office website and download the free version of WPS Office.

Step 2 : Install WPS Office on your computer.

Step 3 : Open WPS Office Presentation.

Step 4 : To create a new presentation, click on the New button.

Step 5 : To open an existing presentation, click on the Open button and select the presentation that you want to open.

Step 6 : To edit a presentation, simply click on the element that you want to edit and start typing.

Step 7 : To save a presentation, click on the Save button.

WPS Office is a great free alternative to Microsoft Office for editing PowerPoint presentations. It includes all of the essential features that you need to create and edit presentations, and it also includes some features that are not available in the free version of Microsoft Office, such as PDF editing and a built-in template store.

How do I create an MLA citation for lecture materials I attended in person?

Author's Name (if available):

Last Name, First Name.

Title of the Lecture:

In quotation marks.

Name of the Event or Course:

Italicized.

Location and Date:

Doe, John. "Advancements in Quantum Physics." Physics Conference 2022, University of Science, New York City, 25 Mar. 2022.

How do I create an MLA citation when the source has no author or page numbers?

Title of the Source:

In quotation marks or italics.

Title of the Container (if applicable):

In italics.

Other Identifying Information (version, volume, issue, etc.):

Publisher or Website Name:

Publication Date (if available):

Use "n.d." if no date.

URL (if applicable):

Example (Online Article):

"Title of the Article." Title of the Website, Publisher (if available), Publication Date (if available), URL.

Example (Book with No Author):

Title of the Book. Edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Publication Year.

Remember, for websites, use the specific page's URL.

In this guide, we've covered the essentials of citing PowerPoint presentations in MLA style. Additionally, we've highlighted the benefits of using WPS Office, a versatile and free alternative to Microsoft Office. With its extensive features, including PDF editing and a vast template library, WPS Office offers a seamless and efficient experience for creating presentations.

Remember, accurate citations are vital for academic integrity. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your presentations meet MLA standards while utilizing the impressive capabilities of WPS Office.

• 1. How to Cite a PDF Using APA Style - Easy Methods
• 2. How to Cite a PDF in MLA without an Author: A Comprehensive Guide
• 3. How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA [A Complete Guide]
• 4. How to Cite in a PowerPoint (APA, MLA, Chicago Style) The Ultimate Guide
• 5. How to Cite Sources in a PowerPoint: A Comprehensive Guide
• 6. How to Cite a PDF with Top 3 Styles MLA, APA and Chicago

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Gladhill Learning Commons FAQ: Citations

How do i cite powerpoint or google slides lectures using the mla format.

If the PowerPoint/Google Slides was part of a lecture you attended in person, you cite as follows on your Works Cited page:

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Presentation.” Title of Course. Day Month Year of Lecture, Location. Lecture. Slide number if there was only one slide you used.

For example: 

Sloan, Courtney. "Crafting an Argument." English 101. 4 Apr. 2020, Frederick Community College. Lecture.

If the PowerPoint/Google Slides was a document that your professor uploaded to a course management system, like Blackboard, cite as follows on your Works Cited page:

Last name, First Name of PowerPoint creator. "Title of Presentation."  Course Management System , name of person who uploaded, day month year it was uploaded, simplified URL.

For example:

Sloan, Courtney. “Crafting an Argument.”  Blackboard , uploaded by Courtney Sloan, 21 Oct. 2019, frederick.blackboard.com/.

For in-text citations, use last name and slide number.

Planning is essential to a well-written argument (Sloan Slide 10).

If you only used one slide of the PowerPoint/Google Slides for your paper, indicate that slide number at the end of your Works Cited citation. In this case, there is no need to refer to the slide number in your in-text citation.

Planning is essential to a well-written argument (Sloan).

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Answered By: Kathryn Park Last Updated: Mar 19, 2018     Views: 180564

You should handle them using the same rules you would for a paper. In text citations, are really just a briefer version of the citation on your Works Cited page. 

• Typically, an in text citation will look like this (Berman 45), referring to the work by Berman on page 45. See more about MLA style In Text Citations . 
• Your Works Cited page can be on your last slide.
• Your instructor may have specific instructions so always check that first.

See more in our MLA Style guide . 

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Comments (11)

• it's 3am and you saved my life with this. by motivated procrastinator on May 24, 2015
• What if I were just implementing visual aid and not mentioning the picture on my powerpoint? by motivated procrastinator version 2 on Nov 10, 2015
• Hi Motivated You will still need to include information for the visual aid. Use the instructions for a table or illustration. by Erin McDaniel on Nov 13, 2015
• Hi! So, will the works cited page for illustrations look like a regular citation page? Thanks so much! And what info can I use to cite, if it's a picture of a book cover, say, or just a random photo that offers no info?? by DZinna on Apr 05, 2016
• The Works Cited page is handled the same regardless of the format of the sources. How you would cite a book cover depends on a few factors. If there is a known illustrator, follow the rules for citing an illustrated book: http://elmo.academyart.edu/reference-help/mla_citation_guide.html#illBook Instead of an illustrator, there may be a cover designer. Examine the verso page, on the backside of the title page (where you find copyright dates, Library of Congress Cataloging info, etc.) and look to see if anyone is credited with cover design. If so, just use the phrase cover designer instead of illustrator. For a photo with no name, title, or date, you will "create a title" by writing a description, such as: Untitled Photo of Boy with Puppy. Use n.d. for no date listed. A good example is listed in this guide under the heading "Images (With No Author, No Title, No Date)": http://www.cod.edu/library/research/cite/mla/multimedia.htm Also look to this guide for the example of citing a photograph under An Original Work of Visual Art: http://elmo.academyart.edu/reference-help/tours_and_tutorials/AAU_Image_Citation_Guide.pdf by Erin McDaniel on Apr 09, 2016
• Life savior. Thanks by Glad on Oct 25, 2016
• I myself have a pp presentation to do; and I have multiple peices of information from the same book (different pages from the book as well) all on one slide in different bullet points. Do I put a in text citation on each bullet point citing where I got my information from, or is there a easier way to do it that would be less text-consuming? by Random Frey on Oct 27, 2016
• Officially, you would have to cite each bullet point differently. However, if your instructor will allow it, you could conceivably just put the page numbers at the end of each bullet point, and the full parenthetical citation at the end of the slide (minus the page numbers). If that looks better, check with your instructor to see if that would be ok. by Erin McDaniel on Oct 28, 2016
• I am creating a presentation for a paper, and I was wondering how I would cite images and ideas in the powerpoint in the Chicago style? Thank you. by Prolix on Jan 12, 2017
• Hi Prolix Emory University has a great instruction sheet on this. It includes citing references from a database, website, and for images. Here is the link: http://business.library.emory.edu/documents/faq-handouts/chicago-citation-guide.pdf by Erin McDaniel on Jan 13, 2017
• If a bullet point contains more than one sentence, but they are all from the same source, do I have to put a citation after each sentence or just at the end of the bullet point? by Stef on Apr 06, 2018

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Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

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This resource is enhanced by a PowerPoint file. If you have a Microsoft Account, you can view this file with   PowerPoint Online .

Select the APA PowerPoint Presentation link above to download slides that provide a detailed review of the APA citation style.

Why learn APA Style if you already know MLA style?

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Have you ever wondered, why can’t there be one writing style for everything? It’s a good question. We often hear this version: “Why learn APA Style if I already know MLA style?”

The short answer is that writing styles were developed within specific domains. MLA style, which comes from the Modern Language Association, is used in the humanities in subjects such as English and other modern languages. APA Style, which comes from the American Psychological Association, is used in the behavioral sciences in subjects such as psychology, education, and nursing, and even in subjects like business and engineering.

Scholars and students in these fields have different needs that are reflected in their writing styles. This post explores key similarities and differences between APA Style and MLA style and provides resources for writers learning APA Style.

Writing styles: More the same than different

APA Style and MLA style share a lot in common with not only each other but also other writing styles such as Chicago style and American Medical Association (AMA) style. Indeed, most writing styles address areas such as these:

• how to format your paper so it looks professional and is easy to read
• what information to include in your paper so that readers understand your work and can evaluate its credibility
• what language to use to describe other people with dignity and respect
• how to present information contained in other sources through quotations and paraphrases
• how to credit those sources through in-text citations and references to avoid plagiarism
• how to attend to the smaller details, such as how to spell and capitalize words; use punctuation , italics and quotation marks , and abbreviations ; and present numbers and statistics so that readers are not distracted by inconsistencies within a paper and among different papers in the field

Thus, once you have learned one writing style, learning another writing style is relatively straightforward. Although the exact details may differ, the overarching considerations are similar. This makes it easier to mentally organize your understanding of what it means to follow a writing style.

But why APA Style?

Simply put, APA Style is designed for writing and understanding scientific literature about people. Here are some of the ways the needs of the behavioral science community of scholars show in the style:

Journal article reporting standards

APA Style provides specific directions on what information to include in certain kinds of papers. Specifically, if you are conducting and reporting the results of experiments, you should follow APA’s journal article reporting standards, or APA Style JARS . JARS ensure that all researchers consistently report the same kinds of information, which allows readers to evaluate the work as well as to make comparisons between works, such as in a meta-analysis.

If you are a student writing a simpler APA Style paper, for example, a reaction or response paper, annotated bibliography, or literature review, we recommend first focusing on fulfilling the assignment requirements set by your instructor.

To learn how JARS can be relevant to you, check out this blog post about APA Style JARS for high school students .

Bias-free and inclusive language

APA provides detailed, science-backed guidelines on how to describe people with dignity and respect in the form of the bias-free language guidelines and the Inclusive Language Guide (2nd ed.) . The guidelines cover topics including age , disability , gender , race and ethnicity , sexual orientation , and socioeconomic status .

If you’re new to this topic, start with the Brief Guide to Bias-Free and Inclusive Language (PDF, 316KB) .

Emphasis on paraphrasing rather than quotation

When writing in APA Style, paraphrase rather than quote in most cases. Whereas in literature it is often important to respond to the exact wording an author used, in science you should primarily respond to the ideas, which means restating them in your own words.

For help on learning to paraphrase, including how to cite a long paraphrase, check out our page on paraphrasing .

Page numbers not in every in-text citation

In-text citations of paraphrased material in APA Style consist of the author and year, whereas in MLA style they consist of the author and page number. Page numbers (or other location information for works without page numbers ) are required in APA Style citations only for direct quotations.

If you are paraphrasing in APA Style, it is optional to include a page number (although read your assignment guidelines, because your instructor may request page numbers regardless).

In-text citations include the year

APA Style in-text citations include the year, whereas MLA citations do not. Each style suits its discipline. Whereas literature is evergreen, science progresses. Older science may be out of date and thus not of use to readers, so having a year in the citation allows readers to quickly understand how old the source is.

Although APA Style does not have formal requirements for how old (or rather, young) your sources have to be, instructors may require you use only sources published within the last 5–10 years or similar, so check your assignment guidelines carefully. And regardless of any requirements, try to use the most current information possible because this is best for advancing the scholarship in your field.

References contain similar information, presented differently

References in APA and MLA styles usually include information about the author, date, title, and source of a work , which allows readers to identify and locate the work. However, the information is presented in a different order and with different capitalization and punctuation depending on the style.

For a step-by-step guide to the different formats for common sources such as journal articles, books, edited book chapters, and webpages, check out the APA Style and MLA Style Reference Comparison Guide (PDF, 104KB) .

How to learn more about APA Style

If you’re at the beginning of your APA Style journey, fear not. This website has a wealth of free and authoritative resources designed to help you. We recommend that you check out our APA Style for Beginners landing page , which curates resources appropriate for an audience new to APA Style.

We are also happy to hear your feedback, so if you have ideas or suggestions on this topic, please leave a comment below.

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