Lecture Notes: Citing Sources in Formal Presentations

Overview

• Citing sources in presentations is more relaxed than in written papers.
• The goal is to appear relaxed and conversational, not formal.

General Rule of Thumb

• Provide enough information for the audience to easily access the source.
• Full citation required the first time a source is mentioned.
• Subsequent mentions can be more subtle.

Types of Sources

1. Periodicals
2. Books
3. Testimony
4. Websites

1. Periodicals

• Information from materials published periodically (e.g., magazines, reports).
• First citation must include:
  • Title of the periodical
  • Issue date
  • Title of the article
  • Name of the author or contributing entity
  • The information itself
• Example:
  • "According to a March 2019 issue of U.S. News and World Report, in an article titled 'Youth in a Raging America,' Professor Mary Stanfield states..."

2. Books

• Less information needed compared to periodicals.
• First citation must include:
  • Title of the book
  • Author's name
  • Page number
  • The information itself
• Contextualizing quotes is important due to the length of books.

3. Testimony

• Direct words from an expert, which act as both support and source.
• First citation must include:
  • Name of the expert
  • Relevant title fitting the theme of the speech
  • Contact information (email, mailing address, or business phone number)

4. Websites

• Google is not a source; it is a search engine.
• Cite the specific site (e.g., CNN, New York Times).
• For well-known entities, brief mention suffices (e.g., "Visit CNN's website...").
• For lesser-known sites, provide the full website URL to avoid confusion.

Important Points

• Ensure all necessary information is given for the first mention of a source.
• Subsequent mentions can refer subtly back to the full citation.
• Be mindful of the context and audience's ability to verify information.