how do you add apa citations to a powerpoint presentation

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APA 7th Edition Guide

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Citing Sources in PowerPoint Slides

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PowerPoint Slides - References

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

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

Creating the Reference List Slide

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

See the slide deck below for more information.

• << Previous: Missing Reference Information
• Next: Annotated Bibliographies >>
• Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024 2:56 PM
• URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa

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

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• Principles of Plagiarism: An Overview
• Basic Paper Formatting
• Basic Paper Elements
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• Powerpoint Presentations
• Reference Page Format
• Periodicals (Journals, Magazines, Newspapers)
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• Online Images
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• Missing Information
• Two Authors
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Formatting a Powerpoint Presentation in APA 7th Style

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

• Citing and Referencing in Powerpoint Presentations | APA 7th Edition This video will show you how to create APA 7th in-text citations and a Reference page for your PowerPoint presentation.
• << Previous: Tables and Figures
• Next: Reference Page Examples >>
• Last Updated: Apr 1, 2024 10:02 AM
• URL: https://national.libguides.com/apa_7th

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APA for PowerPoint Presentations

Using powerpoint for beginners.

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

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

Resource: Goodwin University Library. 2019. How to format a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style. Goodwin University.   https://goodwin.libguides.com/apastyle   

• Citing Business Sources in APA Style Brock University's guide to citing business information sources according the the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition. Includes citing sources in presentations
• << Previous: Additional APA Resources
• Last Updated: Feb 14, 2024 12:39 PM
• URL: https://hallmark.libguides.com/apa7

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Powerpoint Presentations

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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: Jan 5, 2024 2:56 PM
• URL: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/apa

APA Citations

• Why Do You Cite?
• When to Cite
• References Page
• PowerPoint Presentations
• More Help with APA

Slide Shows

There are no official instructions for formatting a PowerPoint presentation or slideshow in the APA style. However, most colleges/universities, professionals, and educators follow the general guidelines for formatting their slideshows in the APA style:

• Include an in-text citation for every slide in which you paraphrase, quote, or summarize information from one of your sources: (Author, year). Place this citation in the bottom right corner of your slides.
• Include a references slide(s) at the end using the same format as an APA-formatted references page.

See the examples below.  Use the arrows to move through the slides.

• << Previous: References Page
• Next: More Help with APA >>
• Last Updated: Nov 7, 2023 1:14 PM
• URL: https://libguides.sowela.edu/APA

APA Style & Citation 7th edition

• What's new with the 7th edition
• Annotated Bibliography
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APA and Presentations

APA has a lot of rules for formatting and citing papers. They don't really have rules for when you are creating a presentation or infographic. What we recommend is a blending of the rules APA has set out for papers and best practices for creating presentations and infographics.

In other words, you are going to bend the rules of APA to what looks best in your presentation. For example, the initial slide of your PowerPoint should contain the same information as your title page. The formatting will probably be different as 10-12 point font (as required by papers) is probably too small to be easily read during a presentation. You also probably don't want full paragraphs on your slides. People end up reading the slide, rather than listening to you, and it is visually unappealing.

You still need to cite ! Yes, that includes images. Unless they are stock or clip art images from within the program you are using, you will need an in-text citation and corresponding reference. Visit the other sections of this guide for examples on how to cite.

If your instructor has provided any guidelines, follow them.

This video provides a great example on how to create a PowerPoint incorporating APA guidelines. A few things to clarify:

• Use an in-text citation with figures and images. A corresponding reference should be on your References slide.
• Do not lump in-text citations together, each line that has a quote or paraphrase needs an in-text citation.

• Research Template This is a Powerpoint template created for use in the Research Exhibition
• << Previous: Annotated Bibliography
• Next: Headings >>
• Last Updated: Apr 18, 2023 5:31 PM
• URL: https://guides.centralpenn.edu/APA7th

APA Style Formatting in PowerPoint

APA Style (7th Edition) Formatting in PowerPoint

In this video, Purdue Global Learning and Development Specialist, Chrissine Cairns, demonstrates how to format a PowerPoint applying APA Style (7th Edition) to a title slide; body slides using bullet points, figures, tables, and copyright statements; and a reference list with hanging indentations.

Presentation Times for Video Sections

• Title Slide 00:00:00 – 00:03:45
• Bulleted Points 00:04:16 – 00:07:13
• Figures and Tables and Copyrights 00:07:14 – 00:13:36
• Reference List 00:13:32 – 00:15:37

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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA 7?

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By Nikolay Kaloyanov

in How-To Tutorials

2 years ago

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💡 Before we show you how to cite a PowerPoint in APA, we would like to tell you that all examples and explanations are about APA 7th edition .

In your PowerPoint presentation, you’re going to use a combination of texts and images to present information. You’ll need to cite the sources for these documents and media so your audience knows where to find out more about the topic.

This way, you will both adhere to the rules of using copyrighted information and show that your knowledge on the topic is well researched and you have spent time finding the resources.

What we will discuss in this article is the APA standard and how to make a proper PowerPoint citation in APA standard. Let’s dig deep.

Article Overview: 1. What is Apa? 2. Why do people use APA as a standard? 3. How to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA? 4. How to Cite a Picture in PowerPoint?

1. What is APA?

APA is one of the most popular and widely used styles for writing research papers. This style of writing citations and citing sources is used in most social sciences – mainly psychology, sociology, and education. The acronym comes from A merican P sychological A ssociation. You can check APA’s website for more information .

2. Why do people use APA as a standard?

Before we tell you how to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA style, we need to clarify the main reason why people use this style. As the most common standard, it is widely accepted around the world, and the manuals have been sold millions of times.

What makes the APA citation style so popular among educational institutions is that it gives “weight” to the documents that are being examined. Adding the sources and using the right way to present the sources could greatly influence the credibility of any thesis or PowerPoint presentation.

3. How to cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA?

There aren’t one or two ways to cite a Powerpoint presentation in APA. Why? Because there are different conditions that can affect the accessibility of the original source. Let’s see some of the most common occasions in citing PowerPoint presentations in APA style.

3.1. Citing a PowerPoint in APA – Accessible Documents

This is probably the best-case scenario for citations, as your readers will have access to the information, thus they can easily find the original source. Bear in mind you should not include PowerPoint presentations in the reference list if your audience cannot access them.

3.1.1. Citing in PowerPoint from public sites

When you have the source and it is an available webpage, you will have to link directly to the original source.

N.B.  You should always  cite the original source. If you have found a piece of statistics somewhere – let’s say a WeForum article , it is not the original source, thus you cannot refer to information that has not been published by the author.

3.1.2. Citing PowerPoints on password-protected portals

When it comes to citing from a university or other password-protected website, you should refer to the login page, as a direct link will lead to it. Let’s see an example I’ve made up myself.

N.B.  Sometimes, there is no author mentioned. In such cases, we proceed in two ways:

• If there is no author, but an organization that is behind the source:

What we have done is we have replaced the author’s name with the name of the organization that has published the report.

• If there is an unknown author.

In case there’s an unknown author, we replace their name with the title.

3.2. Citing a PowerPoint in APA – Inaccessible Documents

In case your PowerPoint slide is inaccessible to readers, then you have the option to cite the source as personal communication. Let’s see how this happens.

During the presentation, Peterson made a prediction that low-fare airlines will become dominant by 2030 (personal communication, June 3, 2022).

You can add personal communication citations in parentheses somewhere in the text but not in the reference list, as the original source cannot be directly tracked.

3.3. Citing a PowerPoint Slide

Sometimes, a slide during a presentation makes a great impression and you want to add it to your sources. When this happens, it’s better to cite the original source, rather than the PowerPoint slide itself, because of the requirements we discussed in 3.1.1.

4. How to Cite a Picture in PowerPoint?

If you want to learn how to cite a picture in PowerPoint in APA format, then you should apply some different techniques. What you need to do first is to have a very detailed look at the terms and conditions of the original image. Some images require attribution while others don’t.

Once you insert the image, you need to then create a new text box, align it at the center and write the following:

Figure 1. Image Description. Adapted from SOURCE . Retrieved from  SOURCE LINK.  Copyright by  COMPANY NAME COPYRIGHTS  (located at the bottom).

Let’s see how it’s done in practice.

Figure 1. Carbon Footprint and Renewable Energy. Adapted from GraphicMama. Retrieved from https://graphicmama.com/design-bundle/infographic-template-collection#flat-tree-vector-ecology-infographic-template. Copyright by © 2022 GraphicMama.com

Learning how to cite a PowerPoint presentation correctly is crucial if you are submitting your thesis or working on a serious project. The APA style has specific rules that should be followed for your presentations or paper dissertations to look formatted and credible.

If you found our content useful, why don’t you check some of our other tutorials related to PowerPoint and presentations in general:

• 10 Practical Tips to Grab Attention and Make an Impact in Your PowerPoint Presentation
• How to Add Audio to PowerPoint: The Quick Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Get Started with PowerPoint + Guide and Resources

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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)

Citation Basics

Harvard Referencing

Plagiarism Basics

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APA Citation Guide (7th Edition)

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

How to format a PowerPoint presentation in APA Style:

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

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

How to cite PowerPoint slides in your References List

You will use the following format to cite PowerPoint slides:

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

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

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

• << Previous: Finding the DOI
• Next: Academic Integrity & Plagiarism >>
• Last Updated: Feb 29, 2024 10:11 AM
• URL: https://goodwin.libguides.com/apastyle

APA 7th Edition Citation Examples

• Volume and Issue Numbers
• Page Numbers
• Undated Sources
• Citing a Source Within a Source
• In-Text Citations
• Academic Journals
• Encyclopedia Articles
• Book, Film, and Product Reviews
• Online Classroom Materials
• Conference Papers
• Technical + Research Reports
• Court Decisions
• Treaties and Other International Agreements
• Federal Regulations: I. The Code of Federal Regulations
• Federal Regulations: II. The Federal Register
• Executive Orders
• Charter of the United Nations
• Federal Statutes
• Dissertations and Theses
• Interviews, E-mail Messages + Other Personal Communications
• Social Media
• Business Sources

Format for PowerPoint presentations

How to format your powerpoint in apa style.

• AI: ChatGPT, etc.

Author last name, first initial. (Date). Title of the PowerPoint  [PowerPoint slides]. Host site. URL

Thomes, C. (n.d.). UMGC Library APA citation basics [PowerPoint slides]. University of Maryland Global Campus. https://libguides.umgc.edu/ld.php?content_id=68264148

In-text citation:

(Thomes, n.d.)

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• Next: AI: ChatGPT, etc. >>
• Last Updated: Mar 18, 2024 12:55 PM
• URL: https://libguides.umgc.edu/apa-examples

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• Writing Tips

How to Cite a PowerPoint in APA

• 5-minute read
• 24th November 2023

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

When to Cite the PowerPoint

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

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

Where to Cite the PowerPoint

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

In-Text Citation

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

If Your Audience Has Access to the PowerPoint

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

(Carter, 2023)

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

Carter (2023)

If Your Audience Does Not Have Access to the PowerPoint

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

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

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

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

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

If You’re Quoting Directly From the PowerPoint

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

(Carter, 2023, slide 6)

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Carter (2023, slide 6)

Reference List

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

PowerPoint Slides Available Online to Anyone

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

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

PowerPoint Slides Available Online With Log-In

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

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

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

PowerPoint Slides Not Available to Your Audience

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

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

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

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

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How to Apa Cite in a PowerPoint

When creating a PowerPoint presentation for academic or professional purposes, you may need to cite sources in accordance with the APA citation style. Properly citing sources is essential for recognizing the work of other authors and avoiding plagiarism, and it also strengthens the credibility of your own ideas and arguments. In this article, we will guide you through the process of APA citing in PowerPoint presentations, from understanding the APA citation style to managing APA citations in your slides.

Table of Contents

Understanding the APA Citation Style

The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is a set of guidelines for formatting academic papers, articles, and books. APA style involves several rules for in-text citations and reference lists, including the use of author-date format for in-text citations and a consistent and structured format for reference lists. In-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication, while the reference list provides detailed information about the sources used in the presentation.

It is important to note that the APA citation style is widely used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. The style is designed to provide clarity and consistency in academic writing, making it easier for readers to understand and follow the sources used in a paper. Additionally, the APA citation style is regularly updated to reflect changes in the field, ensuring that it remains relevant and useful for researchers and scholars.

Why Citing Sources is Important in PowerPoint Presentations

Citing sources in PowerPoint presentations is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it is a sign of academic integrity and honesty. Proper citing acknowledges the work of other people and provides credit to them for their ideas and research. Secondly, it shows the extent of your research and adds more depth and credibility to your own ideas and arguments. Additionally, proper citing helps you avoid plagiarism, which could have serious consequences for your academic or professional career.

Moreover, citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation allows your audience to verify the information you have presented. It gives them the opportunity to explore the sources you have used and gain a deeper understanding of the topic. This can also lead to further discussions and debates, which can enhance the overall learning experience for everyone involved.

How to Use In-Text Citations in a PowerPoint Presentation

The APA citation style uses in-text citations to indicate the sources of your information in the slides. To include an in-text citation, provide the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses at the end of the sentence. If you use a direct quote, include the page number as well. For example, “(Smith, 2019, p. 50)”.

It is important to note that in-text citations need to include all the necessary information to help the audience locate the source in the reference list.

Another important aspect to consider when using in-text citations in a PowerPoint presentation is to make sure that they are placed in a consistent and clear manner throughout the slides. You can choose to place them at the bottom of the slide or in the speaker notes section, but make sure to use the same format for all citations.

Additionally, it is recommended to limit the number of in-text citations in your presentation to avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information. Instead, focus on including only the most relevant and important sources that support your presentation’s main points.

Tips for Creating a Reference List in a PowerPoint Presentation

The reference list is a crucial part of APA citation style. In a PowerPoint presentation, the reference list should be included at the end of the presentation on a separate slide or slides. The reference list should include all the sources cited in the presentation, and they must be cited in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

The reference list should include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year, title of the source, and publication information. For example, a book reference should be structured as follows: Author’s last name, first initial. (year of publication). Title of the book. Publisher.

You can refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to learn more about the specific rules and formats for creating a reference list in APA citation style.

It is important to note that the reference list should only include sources that have been cited in the presentation. Any sources that were consulted but not cited should not be included in the reference list. Additionally, if a source has multiple authors, all authors should be listed in the reference list in the order they appear on the source.

Another helpful tip is to double-check the formatting of the reference list before finalizing the presentation. Make sure that all sources are properly formatted and that there are no typos or errors. A well-formatted reference list can help to enhance the credibility and professionalism of the presentation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding APA Citations in PowerPoint

Adding APA citations in PowerPoint presentations requires the following steps:

• Identify the sources to be cited in your presentation.
• Write down the necessary information for each source, including the author’s name, publication year, and title.
• Insert the in-text citations in the appropriate locations in your slides.
• Create a separate slide or slides for the reference list and list the sources in APA format.

It is important to double-check all the citations and references to ensure they are accurate.

Additionally, it is recommended to use a citation management tool, such as Zotero or EndNote, to help organize and format your citations and references. These tools can save you time and ensure consistency in your citations throughout your presentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Sources in a PowerPoint Presentation

Mistakes in APA citing can significantly undermine the credibility of your presentation and harm your academic or professional reputation. Common mistakes to avoid when citing sources in a PowerPoint presentation include:

• Incorrectly formatted in-text citations and reference lists.
• Failure to provide specific page numbers for direct quotes.
• Misinterpreting or misrepresenting the source material.
• Plagiarizing the work of others.

Another common mistake to avoid when citing sources in a PowerPoint presentation is failing to cite all sources used. It is important to give credit to all sources that have contributed to your presentation, even if they were not directly quoted. This includes images, graphs, and data that were obtained from external sources. Failing to cite these sources can lead to accusations of plagiarism and can damage your credibility as a presenter.

Best Practices for Using APA Citations in PowerPoint Presentations

To improve the effectiveness of your APA citations in a PowerPoint presentation, here are some best practices to follow:

• Cite only high-quality, reliable sources that are relevant to your presentation.
• Use images and graphs to enhance your presentation, but remember to cite them as well.
• Provide clear and concise explanations of the sources you cite to avoid confusion.
• Practice proper citation formatting and double-check everything before presenting.

Another important best practice for using APA citations in PowerPoint presentations is to make sure that you are consistent in your citation style throughout the presentation. This means using the same formatting for all citations, including in-text citations and the reference list. In addition, it is important to make sure that all citations are accurate and up-to-date, as outdated or incorrect information can undermine the credibility of your presentation. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your APA citations are effective and enhance the overall quality of your PowerPoint presentation.

How to Format APA Citations in a PowerPoint Presentation

The APA citation style has specific rules for formatting in-text citations and reference lists in PowerPoint presentations. In-text citations should be placed within parentheses and include the author’s last name and year of publication. The reference list should be structured with the author’s name, publication year, title, and other publication details such as publisher or journal title.

Examples of Properly Formatted APA Citations in PowerPoint Slides

Here are some examples of properly formatted APA citations for PowerPoint slides:

• In-text citation: (Smith, 2019)
• In-text citation for direct quote: (Smith, 2019, p. 50)
• Reference list for book: Smith, J. (2019). The Title of the Book. Publisher.
• Reference list for journal: Smith, J. (2019). Title of the article. Journal Title, Volume Number, Page Range.

How to Edit and Manage APA Citations in Your PowerPoint Presentation

If you need to edit or manage APA citations in your PowerPoint presentation, use the following steps:

• Highlight the citation you want to edit.
• Make the necessary changes to the citation, including author’s name, date, or page number.
• Double-check the accuracy of the citation.
• Update the reference list if necessary.

Tips for Including Images and Graphs with APA Citations in Your PowerPoint Presentation

When including images and graphs in your PowerPoint presentation, it is important to cite them properly using APA citation style. To do this, include a caption beneath the image that includes the author’s name, date, and title of the work. In the reference list, provide the necessary publication information for the image or graph.

How Do You Deal With Missing Information When Citing Sources In A PowerPoint Presentation?

If you encounter missing information when citing sources in your PowerPoint presentation, try to provide as much information as possible. If you are unable to locate the date or other information, use the abbreviation “n.d.” (no date) in place of the publication year. If you are citing a source without an author, use the title of the work instead.

Understanding Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Avoid It When Citing Sources In Your PowerPoint Presentations

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work as your own without proper citation. Plagiarism can have serious consequences, including damage to your academic or professional reputation. To avoid plagiarism when citing sources in your PowerPoint presentations, make sure to follow the APA citation style guidelines carefully and properly cite all sources used in the presentation. Additionally, make sure to paraphrase and summarize sources in your own words to avoid copying and pasting directly from sources without proper citation.

Besides APA citation style, there are other citation styles that you can use when creating a PowerPoint presentation. Some common citation styles include MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. The specific citation style you use may depend on your field of study or the preferences of your instructor or organization. Before beginning your presentation, ensure that you understand the citation style requirements and guidelines to follow.

Closing Thoughts

Citing sources in a PowerPoint presentation is a critical aspect of academic and professional work. Following the APA citation style guidelines will help you to present accurate and credible information while avoiding plagiarism. We hope this exhaustive guide has provided you with a better understanding of how to APA cite in your PowerPoint presentations. Remember to always double-check your citations and reference lists and follow the best practices for using APA citations to ensure the success of your academic and professional work.

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