Citing Oral Presentations and Talks in APA Style: Guidelines and Best Practices
When it comes to citing oral presentations and talks in APA style, it's important to understand the nuances of such citations and how they differ from citing written sources. This article will guide you through the proper methods for citing oral presentations and talks in APA format, ensuring your work adheres to the strict standards expected by academic journals, publications, and educational institutions.
1. Understanding the Context of Oral Presentations and Talks
Oral presentations and talks are live events where speakers deliver information or arguments to an audience. These presentations are often informal and may not be published or distributed publicly. As such, they do not follow the same citation standards as written sources. While the content of an oral presentation or talk can be highly valuable to your research, it does not warrant a full reference entry on the reference page of your paper. Instead, it can be included as a personal communication if necessary.
2. How to Cite Less than 40 Words of an Oral Presentation or Talk
When you wish to incorporate more than just a brief statement from an oral presentation or talk, but the quote is less than 40 words, you can use the following format:
According to [Speaker] (personal communication, [Month Year]), “…………. “.
For example:
According to S. Kroeker (personal communication, December 1, 2021), “ Personal communication does not go in the reference page.”
Here, the term "personal communication" indicates that the information was obtained privately and directly, and it does not need to be referenced on the reference page. Keep in mind, this type of communication is not suitable for all contexts, and it should be used judiciously.
3. How to Cite More than 40 Words of an Oral Presentation or Talk
If the content of the oral presentation or talk is more than 40 words, you should place the quote within quotation marks and cite the speaker and the date of the communication. Here is the format:
Speech or Presentation quoted: [Speaker’s Last Name], (personal communication, [Month Year]).
[Speaker’s Name] argues that:
………
……… [Speaker’s Last Name], (personal communication, [Month Year]).
For example:
Chomsky argues that:
Language is a complex system that can serve as a medium for both personal and public communication. This complexity is evidenced in its ability to encode abstract concepts, emotional states, and logical structures. Chomsky, (personal communication, December 1, 2021).
4. Guidelines for Using Citation Formats
In APA style, you can incorporate short quotes directly into the text, as shown above. For longer passages or when you need to provide context for your citation, you would typically paraphrase or summarize the speaker's arguments, rather than using a direct quote. Here is a paraphrased example:
Chomsky maintains that language has an inherent complexity, capable of conveying a wide range of concepts, emotions, and logic. This complexity is evident in the intricate encoding of abstract ideas and emotional states in human communication (S. Kroeker, personal communication, December 1, 2021).
5. When to Avoid Citing an Oral Presentation or Talk
There are situations where you may not need to cite an oral presentation or talk. For instance, if the presentation or talk is not available for others to read, evaluate, or refer to, it does not warrant a full citation or reference. It may still be valuable to include a brief reference to it, indicating its source and relevance to your research.
6. Conclusion
Properly citing and referencing oral presentations and talks in APA style requires a clear understanding of when and how to do so. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and adhere to the standards expected in academic and professional contexts.