Rasmussen University Flame logo

  • General Education Courses
  • School of Business
  • School of Design
  • School of Education
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Justice Studies
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Technology
  • CBE Student Guide
  • Online Library
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Learning Express Library
  • Interlibrary Loan Request Form
  • Library Staff
  • Databases A-to-Z
  • Articles by Subject
  • Discovery Search
  • Publication Finder
  • Video Databases
  • NoodleTools
  • Library Guides
  • Course Guides
  • Writing Lab
  • Rasmussen Technical Support (PSC)
  • Copyright Toolkit
  • Faculty Toolkit
  • Suggest a Purchase
  • Refer a Student Tutor
  • Live Lecture/Peer Tutor Scheduler
  • Faculty Interlibrary Loan Request Form
  • Professional Development Databases
  • Publishing Guide
  • Professional Development Guides (AAOPD)
  • Rasmussen University
  • Library and Learning Services Guides

APA 7th Edition Guide

  • Citing Sources in PowerPoint Presentations
  • APA Paper Basics
  • Preventing Plagiarism
  • Academic Integrity Video
  • Setting Up Your Paper
  • In-Text Citations
  • eTextbooks and Course Materials
  • Images & Audiovisual Media
  • Legal Resources
  • Personal Communications & Secondary Sources
  • Missing Reference Information
  • Annotated Bibliographies
  • Finding Help
  • Additional Resources from the APA

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.

reference in ppt presentation

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: Apr 19, 2024 10:55 AM
  • URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa

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.

Citation Guides

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Block Quotes
  • Citation Examples
  • et al Usage
  • In-text Citations
  • Page Numbers
  • Reference Page
  • Sample Paper
  • APA 7 Updates
  • View APA Guide
  • Bibliography
  • Works Cited
  • MLA 8 Updates
  • View MLA Guide

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

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)

Citation Basics

Harvard Referencing

Plagiarism Basics

Plagiarism Checker

Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.

Get Started

Banner

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Powerpoint Presentations

  • What Kind of Source Is This?
  • Advertisements
  • Books & eBooks
  • Book Reviews
  • Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings
  • Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
  • Government Documents
  • Images, Charts, Graphs, Maps & Tables
  • Journal Articles
  • Magazine Articles
  • Newspaper Articles
  • Personal Communication (Interviews, Emails)
  • Social Media
  • Videos & DVDs
  • Paraphrasing
  • Works Cited in Another Source
  • No Author, No Date etc.
  • Sample Paper, Reference List & 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 an apa reference list.

Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. Here are nine quick rules for this Reference list.

  • Start a new page for your Reference list. Centre the title, References, at the top of the page.
  • Double-space the list.
  • Start the first line of each reference at the left margin; indent each subsequent line five spaces (a hanging indent).
  • Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the reference. 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 (and middle, if listed) initials followed by periods.
  • Italicize the titles of these works: books, audiovisual material, internet documents and newspapers, and the title and volume number of journals and magazines.
  • Do not italicize titles of most 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.
  • In titles of non-periodicals (books, videotapes, websites, reports, poems, essays, chapters, etc), capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and subtitle, and all proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations, nationalities).
  • If a web source (not from the library) is not a stable archived version, or you are unsure whether it is stable, include a statement of the accessed date before the link.

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.

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]

  • << Previous: Sample Paper, Reference List & Annotated Bibliography
  • Next: More Help? >>
  • Last Updated: Apr 15, 2024 11:26 AM
  • URL: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/apa

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWLÂź College of Liberal Arts

APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

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 .

Media File: APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation

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.

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Education and Communications
  • College University and Postgraduate
  • Academic Writing

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 66,082 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.

Step 1 Start your Works Cited entry with the name of the presenter.

  • Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth.

Step 2 Add the title of the presentation in quotation marks.

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

Step 3 Include the date of the presentation and name of the sponsoring organization.

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

Step 4 Identify the source as a PowerPoint presentation.

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

Step 5 Provide a direct URL if the presentation is available online.

  • 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.

Step 6 Include the presenter's name and slide number for in-text citations.

  • 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).

Step 1 Use only an in-text citation if the presentation isn't available online.

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

Step 2 Start your Reference List entry with the name of the presenter.

  • Example: Braun, M.

Step 3 List the date for the presentation.

  • Example: Braun, M. (2020).

Step 4 Add the title of the presentation and the format.

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

Step 5 Provide the direct URL for the PowerPoint presentation.

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

Step 6 Include the presenter's last name and the year for in-text citations.

  • 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.

Step 1 Start your Bibliography entry with the presenter's name.

  • Example: Damodaran, Aswath.

Step 2 Add the title of the presentation in quotation marks.

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

Step 3 Include the format, location, and date for the presentation.

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

Step 4 Close your entry with a direct URL for the presentation.

  • 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.

Step 5 Include the same information in footnotes with different formatting.

  • 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

Community Answer

  • 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

reference in ppt presentation

  • 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

Cite the WHO in APA

  • ↑ 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

Jennifer Mueller, JD

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

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Saadieqah Sage

Saadieqah Sage

May 29, 2019

Did this article help you?

Saadieqah Sage

Featured Articles

Choose the Right Car for You

Trending Articles

How to Set Boundaries with Texting

Watch Articles

Fold Boxer Briefs

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Claim Your FREE Training Module and Get Your Time Back!

nuts and bolts speed training logo

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

  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Miscellaneous
  • Presentation Design
  • August 16, 2019

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.

reference in ppt presentation

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.

reference in ppt presentation

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).

An example slide that uses in-text citation to quote an author.

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 ’.

Demonstration of how to add a footnote citation in a text box on your slide.

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.

Example of a slide with a footnote citation.

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.

Example of how to cite a website in PowerPoint

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.

Example of a slide citing a picture in the footer

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 .

Example of a slide citing a YouTube video

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.

Example of how to cite a book in a PowerPoint presentation

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.

Example of a slide with a footer citation for a speech or lecture.

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:

Example of a slide with a footer citation for a song.

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:

Example of how to cite a presentation in PowerPoint

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.

Example of a slide with a footer citation for a quote.

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 .

🔒 Unlock the PowerPoint Shortcuts Trusted by Industry Leaders KKR, American Express, HSBC, and More!

Join over 114,880 professionals from diverse fields including consulting, investment banking, advertising, marketing, sales, and business development who have supercharged their PowerPoint game with our proven methods.

✅ Customize compelling presentations effortlessly.

✅ Master time-saving techniques for faster deck creation.

✅ Boost your career prospects with top-notch PowerPoint skills.

Get FREE access to the Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts module of our premium training course by entering your name and email below.

DISCLAIMER: PC Users Only!

We respect your privacy and will keep your info safe and confidential.

Related Articles

About the author.

' src=

Popular Tutorials

  • How to Strikethrough Text (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) in Word, Excel & PowerPoint
  • How to Make Animated Fireworks in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)
  • Strikethrough Shortcut (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) for Word, Excel & PowerPoint
  • How to Create a Flash Card Memory Game in PowerPoint (Like Jeopardy)
  • Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working: Solved

PowerPoint Tutorial Categories

  • Strategies & Opinions
  • Shortcuts & Hacks
  • Pictures, Icons, Videos, Etc.
  • New Features
  • Charts & Data Viz

We help busy professionals save hours and gain peace of mind, with corporate workshops, self-paced courses and tutorials for PowerPoint and Word.

Work With Us

  • Corporate Training
  • Presentation & Template Design
  • Courses & Downloads
  • PowerPoint Articles
  • Word Articles
  • Productivity Resources

Find a Tutorial

  • Free Training
  • For Businesses

We help busy office workers save hours and gain peace of mind, with tips, training and tutorials for Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.

Master Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Secure Your FREE Training Module and Save Valuable Time!

⌛ Master time-saving expert techniques.

đŸ”„ Create powerful presentations.

🚀 Propel your career to new heights.

We value your privacy – we keep your info safe.

Discover PowerPoint Hacks Loved by Industry Giants - KKR, AmEx, HSBC!

Over 114,880 professionals in finance, marketing and sales have revolutionized their PPT skills with our proven methods. 

Gain FREE access to a full module of our premium PowerPoint training program – Get started today!

We hate spam too and promise to keep your information safe.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

Banner

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
  • Two Authors
  • 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)

undefined

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
  • Emails - Personal
  • 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
  • << Previous: TV Programme
  • Next: TED Talk >>
  • Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024 11:31 AM
  • URL: https://libguides.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/HarvardReferencing

Free All-in-One Office Suite with PDF Editor

Edit Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE.

Read, edit, and convert PDFs with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface, easy to use.

Windows ‱ MacOS ‱ Linux ‱ iOS ‱ Android

banner

  • Articles of PPT

How to Reference a PowerPoint [A Complete Guide]

It is important to acknowledge sources of information in academic work, even when they are from a PowerPoint provided by a professor or found online. Failure to do so can be considered plagiarism and harm academic integrity. Fortunately, citing a PowerPoint is straightforward as long as one understands the basic formatting requirements. This guide provides information on how to correctly reference a PowerPoint presentation in APA, MLA, or Chicago style.

Understanding Different Citation Styles

Proper citation is an important part of academic writing. When you use information from a source, you need to credit the original author or publisher by citing it.

img’s link: https://zebrabi.com/guide/how-to-add-references-in-powerpoint/

There are a few major citation styles used in academia:

Preservation of Academic Integrity: Adhering to meticulous citation practices is imperative for upholding academic integrity, and mitigating the risks of plagiarism and its consequential penalties.

Reinforcement of Arguments: Rigorous citation strengthens arguments and shows academic proficiency. It signifies thorough research and the use of scholarly sources.

Facilitation of Fact-Checking: Including citations empowers readers to meticulously validate information, scrutinize sources, and delve into the subject matter more deeply.

Refinement of Skills: Conscientious adherence to citation standards catalyzes refining research and writing skills, fostering heightened attention to detail.

Elevation of Credibility: Properly citing the contributions of others aligns with ethical norms and boosts credibility in scholarly discourse.

There are different citation styles that you can use depending on your discipline, purpose, and preference. Some of the most commonly used citation styles are APA, MLA, and Chicago:

APA stands for American Psychological Association and is used for social sciences and psychology.

MLA stands for Modern Language Association and is used for humanities and liberal arts.

Chicago offers two styles: notes-bibliography and author-date. Notes-bibliography is used for history and humanities and uses footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations and a bibliography for references. Author-date is similar to APA and is used for natural and physical sciences.

The specific format and rules for citing sources vary between these styles. Determining what style your discipline requires and consistently following that formatting is important.

Citing Sources in PowerPoint

You'll need certain identifying information from the source to properly cite a PowerPoint presentation. This includes:

Name of the author(s)

Date the PowerPoint was published

Place of publication

Title of the presentation

URL (if accessed online)

When including citations in a PowerPoint presentation, you can cite sources in these ways:

In-text citations: These appear on the slide and correlate with a full reference at the end of the presentation.

Footer citations: The source information appears at the bottom of the slide.

End references: Full references on a reference slide at the end of the PowerPoint.

In an academic paper, APA and MLA require in-text citations. Chicago uses footnotes or endnotes. Any of these formats are acceptable for a PowerPoint as long as the source is clearly cited.

How to Reference PowerPoint in Different Citation Styles

How to reference powerpoint in apa.

APA citations for a PowerPoint presentation list the author's name and presentation date in parentheses after the title:

In-text citation on slide: (Author Surname, Year)

Full reference:

Author Surname, First Initial. Second Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of presentation [Format]. Retrieved from URL

In-text citation on the slide: (Smith, 2022)

Full reference at the end: Smith, J. (2022, March). How to succeed in business [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online Web site: https://www.lecturenotes.com/business/how-to-succeed

How to Reference PowerPoint in MLA

MLA citations for PowerPoint presentations include the author's name and presentation date after the title:

In-text citation on slide: (Author Surname Year)

Full reference: Author Surname, First Name. “Title of Presentation.” Date Created, Website, URL. Date accessed.

In-text citation on the slide: (Smith 2022)

Full reference: Smith, James. “How to Succeed in Business.” March 2022, www.lecturenotes.com/business/how-to-succeed. Accessed 23 Mar. 2022.

How to Reference PowerPoint in Chicago

For Chicago style, the citation structure listed in PowerPoint will be written like this:

Footnote on slide: Number. First Name Surname, "Title" (Format, date), slide number, URL.

James Smith, "How to Succeed in Business" (PowerPoint presentation, March 15, 2022), slide 5, https://url.com.

Full reference: Surname, First Name. “Title.” Format, Date. URL.

Smith, James. “How to Succeed in Business.” PowerPoint presentation, March 15, 2022. https://url.com.

As you can see, the major citation styles all include the author, date, title, and source URL in different formats. Getting this core information allows you to cite the PowerPoint accurately.

How to Cite an Online Presentation

In recent years, online tools like Microsoft Sway, Canva, Visme, Prezi, and more have made it easy for anyone to create sleek, graphical presentations. These tools are great for professional use, and many instructors present through them.

Citing an online presentation in such tools is very similar to a traditional PowerPoint, but the source information might be found in different places:

When incorporating a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation from an in-person lecture into your Works Cited page, adhere to the following citation format:

Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Presentation.” Title of Course. Day Month Year of Lecture, Location. Lecture. Slide number if a specific slide was referenced.

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

If the PowerPoint or Google Slides were shared via a course management system like Blackboard, use the following citation style:

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

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

For in-text citations, utilize the last name and slide number:

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

If your paper refers to only one slide, specify the slide number at the end of the Works Cited citation. In such cases, omit the slide number from the in-text citation.

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

Use company name or website as author when an individual author is not listed on online presentation tools. Include details like URL, publisher, and date to distinguish it from others online.

Free Alternatives for Microsoft PowerPoint – WPS Presentation

Tired of dealing with expensive Microsoft Office licenses for school and work? Consider using WPS Office as a free alternative to MS Office.

“wps logo”

WPS Office is a high-performance yet lightweight office suite that is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats. It includes Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation programs similar to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Key benefits of WPS Office:

Completely free to use with no limits

Supports PPT, PPTX, ODP formats

Sleek, easy-to-use interface

Collaboration and cloud storage features

Works across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS

Built-in PDF converter

AI-integrated tools

WPS Presentation makes it easy to create great-looking presentations. It has handy features for academics and students, including research tools, note-taking, and text-to-speech.

powerful tools of WPS Office

This software's Reference tab offers robust citation management capabilities that allow users to easily insert and customize footnotes and endnotes, ensuring their documents meet academic and professional standards.

alt: “Reference tab in WPS Office”

WPS Office's Reference tab helps users add citations to their documents for better credibility and readability. It's ideal for researchers, students, and professionals, with features like customizable footnotes and endnotes.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

How do you cite a professor's lecture in a paper?

To cite a professor's lecture, provide the professor's name, presentation title in quotation marks, venue, city, date performed, and medium. Here's an example:

In-text: (Jones, 2022)

References: Jones, Sam. "The Importance of Marketing." Marketing 300 Lecture, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, January 10, 2022. Lecture.

Should I cite sources in a PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, absolutely cite your sources when creating an academic or professional PowerPoint presentation. Failing to cite material that you referenced properly constitutes plagiarism, even if it's in a PowerPoint. Use in-text, footnote, or endnote citations on PowerPoint slides, just as you would in an essay or paper.

Citing sources properly is a key component of any academic paper or project. PowerPoint presentations require citations just like a written paper does. You can easily cite a PowerPoint presentation by following the correct formatting for APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Consider using a free program like WPS Presentation to simplify creating and formatting slide citations. Proper citations help demonstrate your academic integrity and ability to utilize quality sources.

  • 1. Absolute Reference Excel Shortcut: Easy and Efficient Tips
  • 2. How to Use Excel Relative Reference in WPS Office
  • 3. APA Citation Guide: How to Reference a PDF Without an Author
  • 4. How to Use Relative Reference in Excel (Step-by-Step)
  • 5. How to Find and Fix Circular Reference in Excel
  • 6. How to Copy Paste Exact Formula in Excel Without Changing Cell Reference

reference in ppt presentation

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.

Thinking Workshops

How to Cite References to Make Your Presentation More Polished

Cite references in your presentation

We all know we should cite references when we write a paper, whether for a blog, a professional office or for our lecturers. However, when it comes to presentations, the need to include references becomes less clear. Is it appropriate to cite references to your presentation? And if so, how do you go about it?

Should a presentation contain references? Whether your presentation is oral or visual, you should always cite your references. This shows your audience that you have done extensive research and that you are giving credit to the sources that were cited instead of engaging in plagiarism.

When it comes to presentations, most presenters are unsure whether to cite references and where to put them. This article will explain why including references in any presentation is essential. It will also show you how to cite references in both visual and oral presentations.

Does a presentation need to cite references?

Before we begin discussing how to cite references in your presentation, you should understand why. If you don’t understand why you should include your sources, you may feel that it is an unnecessary component of the presentation, taking up more of your time than you would like.

You should always include references in your presentations for three reasons:

1. It shows your audience that you have done extensive research.

If you are listening to a presentation and the presenter does not have any sources, you will wonder if the presenter n telling the truth. However, if the presenter cites numerous sources, you know that they have done an extensive research to get the most accurate and truthful information available.

2. It gives credit where credit is due.

When you choose to use a source, it is because that source is good. It is loaded with information that you must place in your presentation because you want everyone to hear it. Therefore, when you mention this information, you should give credit where credit is due.

3. It avoids plagiarism.

Plagiarism is an offense in any type of information presentation. Stealing someone else’s work is not only illegal but also unprofessional. Nobody respects plagiarism, no matter where they see it, and your presentation is no exception. Do the right thing and avoid plagiarism by including references in your presentations at all times.

Adding references to your presentation is critical for several different reasons. However, trying to decide when and where to place your references can be challenging. Having the right placement and writing it correctly can make all the difference between a high-quality presentation and one that looks a little incomplete.

How to include references in your presentation

Whether you choose a visual or oral presentation, it is always a good idea to provide references. Some references, however, may appear more untidy and unprofessional than others. You must familiarize yourself with the best ways to cite references in both oral and visual presentations.

Oral presentation

Adding a reference to an oral presentation is a bit trickier than a visual presentation. But it is not impossible. Here are some great tips from “ Citing Sources in an Oral Presentation ” that you can use.

1. Cite your reference during your oral presentation.

The easiest way to quote a reference during an oral presentation is to say the name of the author or the source before you mention their comment or sentence. You may also want to say ‘quote’ when starting the quote and ‘end quote’ immediately when finished. Always keep things simple, brief, and to the point.

For example: if you are citing something a professor from a particular university said, you would say “According to James X from X University, quote (content) end quote.” This gives your listeners a clear and straightforward view of where you got the quote from.

2. Include a printed list of references.

It can be difficult to remember all the different references you get your information from during an oral presentation. To make it easier for your listeners, you can print out a list of references to give credit to those whom you have referenced.

This list can be used with your oral citing, although your listeners may not know which quote is accompanied by which source. You can make it easier by presenting your information in the order your sources are listed on your printed list.

Visual presentation

It is easier to add references to a visual presentation than it is to an oral one, but it is no less important. With the assistance of Brock University’s Citing Business Sources in APA Style, we have prepared a list of techniques to add citations and references to your PowerPoint.

1. Add references at the bottom of the page.

The best way to add references to your PowerPoint presentation is to add them at the bottom of the page. This way, your viewers can see exactly where your quotes are coming from. If you have multiple references on one page, you can divide them up by using numbers at the end of the sentence. Remember, they should directly correlate with the number and names listed.

2. Add the references next to the information.

You can also put your references immediately next to the information, although too much of this can look sloppy. However, it does make it easier for your viewers to see your references.

3. Type the reference information in smaller text.

Making the text of the information smaller but still legible is an easy way to show your viewers that this information was gathered by someone other than you. Just remember to place the actual reference somewhere on your PowerPoint.

4. Add a list of references at the end of your presentation.

Finally, you can always add a page at the end of your PowerPoint solely for references. With this option, you will want to pinpoint where the citation was used in your PowerPoint, so viewers have a better understanding of who said what.

5. When working with images, videos, and other media, put the references in parentheses near the material.

Even visual aids used in your presentation should be referenced. This can be done by adding the reference in parentheses underneath or next to the media. You may also want to include the publication date and title of the media to give your viewers more information.

As you can see, there are many options when it comes to citing references. Choose the best option that is right for you and your PowerPoint presentation. Consider watching How to Cite Sources in PowerPoint (YouTube video) for more information on how to cite references in your PowerPoint presentation. You may also want to read How to Cite Images in PowerPoint (Wikihow article).

Any presentation that uses information from someone else should have cited sources. Citing references is incredibly important for many reasons. When you cite references, you give credit where credit is due, avoid plagiarism, and ultimately, make your presentation more polished and professional.

Latest Posts

Active Listening Techniques - Asking Questions

reference in ppt presentation

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

  • Guy Kawasaki

reference in ppt presentation

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

  • Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
  • Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
  • Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
  • Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

reference in ppt presentation

  • Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

Partner Center

West ISD placed on lockdown April 18 after student typed reference to gun in Google slides presentation

WEST, Texas (KWTX) - The West Independent School District was placed on lockdown April 18 after the school’s security software detected a student typing threatening language in reference to a gun in a Google slides presentation, the district told KWTX.

West ISD said its Gaggle Safety Team sent administrators an alert about the student’s message at 1:47 p.m.

“We received a notification from Gaggle, it’s our filter system, that there was some inappropriate language being typed into a Google product,” Assistant Superintendent Amanda Adams said.

West Middle and High School immediately enacted their Emergency Operations Plan and were put on hold while campus police found the student, according to West ISD.

West ISD says students in the classrooms were informed of the incident and searched, and that the incident has been referred to law enforcement.

“It’s important that they do not type anything inappropriate, say anything inappropriate,” Adams said. “Like students take it very seriously that our safety is very important, and we’ll address any safety concern it is.”

The schools were released from their hold at 3:11 p.m. and were scheduled to be released at their usual dismissal time, according to West ISD.

West ISD Police Chief Matt Overcash said the boy was taken to the Bill Logue Juvenile Justice Center and is being detained on a false alarm or report complaint.

For any additional information, West ISD says to contact their Administration Building at 254-981-2000.

MORE LOCAL CONTENT: Marlin residents putting together petition to recall mayor

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.

Lauren Bonvillian, 33, and Savannah Bagley, 4,

Mother, daughter reported missing were killed in Hill County car wreck: DPS

Stephanie Arevalo remains booked in the Brazos County Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon,...

UPDATED: Report reveals why woman allegedly shot her husband

Mauricio Campuzano Jr., 31, is in custody, charged with murder, in the killing of Adam...

Affidavit: Possible love triangle could be to blame for Waco’s latest murder

A married substitute teacher was arrested after allegedly being caught undressed with a...

Married substitute teacher caught undressed in car with student, deputies say

FILE: Baylor head coach Scott Drew calls a play to his team during the second half of an NCAA...

Baylor head coach Scott Drew accidentally brings hundreds of new customers to Waco business

Latest news.

KWTX 6PM NEWSCAST

Terry Black’s BBQ in Waco opens doors for eager Central Texans

KWTX 6PM NEWSCAST

Baylor: Green & Gold Game at McLane Stadium Canceled

KWTX 6PM NEWSCAST

KWTX@4: Ninja warrior course event to benefit 'No Limitation' this weekend. - 4.19.24

Zebra BI logo

How to Cite Sources in a PowerPoint

A stack of books and a laptop

Creating a PowerPoint presentation can be an effective way to communicate ideas, research findings, or data to an audience. However, it is important to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the sources that you use in your presentation. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to cite sources in a PowerPoint presentation. We will cover why citations are important, the different citation styles, how to use in-text citations, and much more.

Table of Contents

Why You Need to Cite Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation

There are several reasons why you need to cite sources in your PowerPoint presentation. First, it is a way to give credit to the original authors or creators of the information you use in your slides. This is a fundamental principle of academic integrity and ethical conduct. Second, proper citation provides evidence of credibility and reliability to your audience. Third, it enables people to easily track down the sources you used, which can allow them to learn more about the subject matter or verify your claims.

Fourth, citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation can help you avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in academic penalties and damage to your reputation. By properly citing your sources, you demonstrate that you have done your research and are using information ethically and responsibly.

Fifth, citing sources can also help you build your own credibility as a presenter. When you cite reputable sources, you show that you have a deep understanding of the subject matter and have done your due diligence in researching the topic. This can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field and gain the trust and respect of your audience.

Understanding the Different Citation Styles for PowerPoint Presentations

There are several citation styles that you can use in your PowerPoint presentation, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Each style has its own set of guidelines and rules, so it is important to determine which one is required by your instructor or preferred by your field.

In general, APA (American Psychological Association) style is used in the social sciences, MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used in the humanities, and Chicago style is used in history, art, and other fields. Each style has specific formatting requirements, such as how to format in-text citations and how to list sources on the Works Cited or References page.

It is important to note that some fields may have their own specific citation styles that are not covered by APA, MLA, or Chicago. For example, the American Medical Association (AMA) has its own citation style for medical research papers. It is important to research and understand the specific citation style requirements for your field to ensure that your presentation is accurate and professional.

Additionally, it is important to properly cite all sources used in your PowerPoint presentation, including images, graphs, and data. Failure to properly cite sources can result in plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Utilizing the correct citation style and properly citing all sources can also add credibility to your presentation and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the topic.

How to Use In-Text Citations in Your PowerPoint Presentation

In-text citations are a way to give credit to the sources you use in your presentation, and should be included on the slide where the information appears. In general, you will include the author’s name and the year of publication in parentheses. For example, (Smith, 2021).

If you are citing a specific page or section of a source, you can include that information as well. For example, (Smith, 2021, p. 23). It is important to make sure that your in-text citations correspond with the full citations listed on your Works Cited or References page.

Another important aspect of using in-text citations in your PowerPoint presentation is to ensure that you are using credible sources. This means that you should be using sources that are reliable and trustworthy, such as peer-reviewed articles or books from reputable publishers. Using credible sources not only strengthens your argument, but it also adds to your credibility as a presenter.

It is also important to note that in-text citations should be used sparingly in your PowerPoint presentation. While it is important to give credit to your sources, you do not want to overwhelm your audience with too many citations. Instead, focus on using in-text citations for the most important and relevant information, and use your Works Cited or References page to list all of your sources in full.

How to Create a Works Cited Page in Your PowerPoint Presentation

A Works Cited or References page is a list of all the sources you used in your presentation, and should be included at the end of your PowerPoint. The format of this page will depend on the citation style you are using. In general, you will list your sources alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each citation should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the date of publication, and other pertinent information such as the publisher or website URL.

It is important to note that not all sources are created equal. When creating your Works Cited page, you should differentiate between primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are original materials, such as letters, diaries, or photographs, while secondary sources are interpretations or analyses of primary sources, such as books or articles. You should also be sure to properly cite any images or multimedia used in your presentation.

Another important consideration when creating your Works Cited page is to ensure that your citations are consistent and accurate. This means using the same citation style throughout your presentation, and double-checking all information for accuracy. In addition, you should be sure to properly format your citations according to the guidelines of your chosen citation style, whether it be MLA, APA, or Chicago.

The Importance of Using Reliable Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation

When citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation, it is crucial to use reliable and credible sources. This means sources that have been peer-reviewed, are from reputable publishers or organizations, or have been written by experts in the field.

Using unreliable sources can damage the credibility of your presentation and lead to inaccuracies and misinformation. Make sure to carefully evaluate each source before including it in your presentation.

Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that using outdated sources can also negatively impact the credibility of your presentation. Make sure to use sources that are current and up-to-date, especially if you are presenting on a topic that is constantly evolving or changing.

Tips for Organizing Your Citations in a PowerPoint Presentation

Organizing your citations in a clear and logical manner can make it easier for your audience to understand and follow your presentation. Here are some tips for organizing your citations:

  • Group your sources by category or theme
  • Use consistent formatting for in-text citations and Works Cited page entries
  • List your sources in alphabetical order by author’s last name
  • Include the complete citation information for each source

Another important tip for organizing your citations is to use a citation management tool, such as Zotero or EndNote. These tools can help you keep track of your sources, generate citations, and create a bibliography in the correct format.

It’s also a good idea to double-check your citations for accuracy and completeness. Make sure that you have included all necessary information, such as the publication date and page numbers, and that your formatting is consistent throughout your presentation.

How to Edit and Format Citations in Your PowerPoint Presentation

If you need to edit or format citations in your PowerPoint presentation, it is important to make sure that you are following the guidelines for the citation style you are using. This may involve changing the order of information, adding or removing commas, or adjusting font size and style. Make sure to double-check your citations for accuracy and consistency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Sources in a PowerPoint Presentation

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation:

  • Forgetting to cite a source
  • Copying and pasting information without giving credit
  • Using outdated or unreliable sources
  • Formatting citations incorrectly

Best Practices for Presenting Citations in a PowerPoint Presentation

When presenting your PowerPoint, it is important to make sure that your citations are clear and easy to read. Here are some best practices:

  • Use a legible font size and style
  • Make sure the citations stand out from the rest of the text
  • Include in-text citations on the same slide as the information they correspond with
  • Use a consistent citation format throughout your presentation

How to Check that Your Citations are Accurate and Complete in a PowerPoint Presentation

Before finalizing your PowerPoint presentation, it is important to check that your citations are accurate and complete. Here are some steps to take:

  • Compare in-text citations with the full citations listed on your Works Cited or References page
  • Make sure all source information is complete and accurate
  • Check that your formatting follows the guidelines for your chosen citation style

Understanding Copyright Laws and Fair Use Guidelines for Citing Sources in a PowerPoint Presentation

It is important to be aware of copyright laws and fair use guidelines when citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation. In general, you cannot use copyrighted material without permission, unless it falls under fair use guidelines. This means that you can use a limited amount of copyrighted material for certain purposes, such as education or research, without seeking permission from the copyright holder.

When citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation, make sure to follow the specific guidelines and laws that apply to your situation. If you are unsure, seek legal advice or consult with your instructor or librarian.

Examples of Properly Formatted Citations for a PowerPoint Presentation

Here are some examples of citations formatted in some of the most common citation styles:

In-text citation: (Smith, 2021)

Works Cited: Smith, J. (2021). The Importance of Citing Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation. Journal of Educational Technology, 16(3), 45-59.

In-text citation: (Smith 23)

Works Cited: Smith, John. “The Importance of Citing Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation.” Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 16, no. 3, 2021, pp. 45-59.

Chicago Style:

In-text citation: (Smith 2021, 23)

Works Cited: Smith, John. “The Importance of Citing Sources in Your PowerPoint Presentation.” Journal of Educational Technology 16, no. 3 (2021): 45-59.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Add Citations to Your Powerpoint Slides

1. Determine which citation style you will be using.

2. Find reliable sources for your presentation and take note of all necessary citation information.

3. Include in-text citations on the slides where information appears.

4. Create a Works Cited or References page at the end of your PowerPoint presentation.

5. Use consistent formatting for all citations.

6. Double-check all citations for accuracy and completeness.

Citing sources in a PowerPoint presentation is an essential part of maintaining academic integrity and ethical conduct. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can create a properly formatted and reliable presentation that gives credit to the sources you used.

By humans, for humans - Best rated articles:

Excel report templates: build better reports faster, top 9 power bi dashboard examples, excel waterfall charts: how to create one that doesn't suck, beyond ai - discover our handpicked bi resources.

Explore Zebra BI's expert-selected resources combining technology and insight for practical, in-depth BI strategies.

reference in ppt presentation

We’ve been experimenting with AI-generated content, and sometimes it gets carried away. Give us a feedback and help us learn and improve! đŸ€

Note: This is an experimental AI-generated article. Your help is welcome. Share your feedback with us and help us improve.

reference in ppt presentation

IMAGES

  1. how to cite a powerpoint presentation

    reference in ppt presentation

  2. how to reference a powerpoint presentation apa style

    reference in ppt presentation

  3. How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in MLA

    reference in ppt presentation

  4. how to reference in a powerpoint presentation harvard

    reference in ppt presentation

  5. how to cite a powerpoint presentation

    reference in ppt presentation

  6. How to Cite Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation

    reference in ppt presentation

VIDEO

  1. Projects Reference PPT sample bullet Points

  2. [3/22/2024] 6x06: CAD II (Assemblies, Drawings, and Animations) Workshop

  3. [9/29/2023] 5x02: Circuit Analysis Workshop

  4. Linked Table of Contents in PowerPoint

  5. [3/08/2024] 6x04: Graphic Design Principles Workshop

  6. [2/16/2024] 6x01: Python Applications Workshop

COMMENTS

  1. Citing Sources in PowerPoint Presentations

    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.

  2. How to put References or cite Sources in PowerPoint

    Simply go to its website and click on the Add New Citation option. Then, select a source that you want to cite, enter related information (URL, title, etc.), and click on the Search button. It ...

  3. How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA Style

    Revised on December 27, 2023. To reference a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style, include the name of the author (whoever presented the PowerPoint), the date it was presented, the title (italicized), "PowerPoint slides" in square brackets, the name of the department and university, and the URL where the PowerPoint can be found.

  4. PowerPoint slide or lecture note references

    This page contains reference examples for PowerPoint slides or lecture notes, including the following: Use these formats to cite information obtained directly from slides. If the slides contain citations to information published elsewhere, and you want to cite that information as well, then it is best to find, read, and cite the original source ...

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

    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. Author Surname, X. Y. (Year, Month Day). Title of the presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Publisher.

  6. APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Powerpoint Presentations

    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 ...

  7. APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation

    Media File: APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation. 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.

  8. 3 Ways to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation

    Download Article. 1. Start your Works Cited entry with the name of the presenter. Type the last name of the presenter, followed by a comma, then add their first name. Place a period at the end of their first name. [1] Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. 2. Add the title of the presentation in quotation marks.

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

    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).

  10. How to cite sources in PowerPoint

    Learn how to cite sources in PowerPoint (it's important) and the different citation options you have. You can do it!🚀 UNLOCK the critical PowerPoint shortcu...

  11. How to Cite Sources in a PowerPoint: A Comprehensive Guide

    Part 2: How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA, or Chicago. Citing a PowerPoint presentation in academic or professional work is crucial to acknowledge the source of information. Follow these steps to ensure you do it correctly, and consider using reference management tools like EasyBib for assistance. Step 1: Determine the Citation ...

  12. Including References & Citations in PowerPoint Presentations

    This video demonstrates adding references and citations in a PowerPoint slide show. This video is in APA style, but the formatting is the same for any citati...

  13. How to Reference in a PowerPoint Presentation Harvard

    The citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year needs to be included in the citation. For example: "According to Smith (2020), the use of PowerPoint presentations has increased in recent years.". Or.

  14. Creating References in PowerPoint

    Creating references and citations are important when producing slides, online content or simply giving credit where credit is due. In this lecture you will ...

  15. How do I cite my sources in a PowerPoint presentation?

    To cite your sources within a PowerPoint presentation, you can include your references or in-text citations on each slide. You can (a) provide the references verbally, (b) provide a reference list slide at the end of your presentation with corresponding in-text citations, or (c) combine these. For any presentation, be sure your audience knows ...

  16. How to Cite in PowerPoint Apa

    When citing within a PowerPoint slide using APA style, you'll use the same rules as when citing in a research paper or other academic assignment. You'll need to include in-text citations that provide the author's name and the year of publication in parentheses, like this: (Jones, 2018). In your reference list, you'll need to include ...

  17. How to Cite References in PowerPoint

    How to Create a Reference List in PowerPoint Presentations. Creating a reference list in PowerPoint is relatively simple. You can manually add new sources to a dedicated slide at the end of your presentation. Be sure to double-check your entries for accuracy and completeness of information.

  18. Harvard Referencing Guide: PowerPoint Presentations

    The full reference should generally include. Author or tutor. Year of publication (in round brackets) Title of the presentation (in single quotation marks) [PowerPoint presentation] in square brackets. Module code: module title (in italics) Available at: URL of the VLE. (Accessed: date) Example : Full reference for the Reference List.

  19. How to Reference a PowerPoint [A Complete Guide]

    How to Reference PowerPoint in Chicago. For Chicago style, the citation structure listed in PowerPoint will be written like this: Footnote on slide: Number. First Name Surname, "Title" (Format, date), slide number, URL. Example: James Smith, "How to Succeed in Business" (PowerPoint presentation, March 15, 2022), slide 5, https://url.com.

  20. How to Cite a Source in a PowerPoint

    Chicago Style Citation Format for PowerPoint Presentations. Chicago style citation is commonly used for history, literature, and arts research papers. When citing sources in a PowerPoint presentation using Chicago style, you should use footnotes or endnotes. The number of the note should correspond to the number of the source in the text.

  21. How to Cite References to Make Your Presentation More Polished

    1. Cite your reference during your oral presentation. The easiest way to quote a reference during an oral presentation is to say the name of the author or the source before you mention their comment or sentence. You may also want to say 'quote' when starting the quote and 'end quote' immediately when finished.

  22. How to Make a "Good" Presentation "Great"

    When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences. As an ...

  23. How to Cite a Website in a PowerPoint Presentation Apa

    Here are the steps to follow when citing a website in a PowerPoint presentation APA: Start with the author's last name and first initial (s). Follow the author's name with the year the website was published or updated in parenthesis. After the date, add the title of the webpage, followed by a period.

  24. West ISD placed on lockdown April 18 after student typed reference to

    WEST, Texas (KWTX) - The West Independent School District was put on lockdown after a student gained access to a teachers PowerPoint and began typing threatening language in reference to a gun ...

  25. How to Cite Sources in a PowerPoint

    Creating a PowerPoint presentation can be an effective way to communicate ideas, research findings, or data to an audience. However, it is important to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the sources that you use in your presentation. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to cite sources in a PowerPoint ...