How To Cite A Speaker Mla

When incorporating ideas from a speaker into your research paper, citing the source is crucial to avoid plagiarism. Mastering how to cite a speaker MLA style ensures you give proper credit and maintain academic integrity.

Understanding MLA Citation Basics

Before diving into the specifics of citing a speaker, it's helpful to grasp the general principles of MLA (Modern Language Association) citation. MLA style emphasizes brevity and clarity, using parenthetical citations within the text and a comprehensive list of sources on a "Works Cited" page.

In-text citations: These short references appear within your writing, pointing readers to the full entry on the Works Cited page. They typically include the author's last name and a page number (if available).
Works Cited: This is an alphabetized list of all the sources you used in your paper. Each entry provides detailed information about the source, allowing readers to locate it.

Citing a Speech or Presentation in MLA: The Core Elements

Citing a speech or presentation requires some adaptation of the standard MLA format. Since speeches are typically delivered rather than written, you'll need to provide specific details about the event. The core elements for a speech citation are:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name.
"Title of Speech" (if available). If the speech doesn't have a formal title, provide a descriptive phrase.
Title of Conference or Event.
Sponsor or Organizing Body (if applicable).
Date of Speech.
Location of Speech (City, State).
Type of Presentation (e.g., Address, Lecture, Keynote Speech, Presentation).

Example:

Smith, Jane. "The Future of Education." National Education Conference, National Education Association, 5 Mar. 2023, Chicago, IL. Keynote Speech.

Building Your Works Cited Entry: Step-by-Step

Let's break down the process of creating a Works Cited entry for a speech, step-by-step, with explanations and examples.

1. Speaker's Name

Start with the speaker's last name, followed by a comma, and then their first name. If you know their middle name or initial, include that as well.

Example: Doe, John.

2. Title of Speech (or Description)

If the speech has a formal title, enclose it in quotation marks. Capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title.

Example: "The Impact of Social Media."

If the speech doesn't have a formal title, create a brief descriptive phrase that accurately reflects the speech's content. Do not use quotation marks for descriptive phrases. Capitalize the first letter of each word in the description.

Example: Discussion of climate change policy.

3. Title of Conference or Event

Provide the name of the conference, event, or meeting where the speech took place. Capitalize the first letter of each major word.

Example: International Conference on Artificial Intelligence.

4. Sponsor or Organizing Body (Optional)

If a specific organization sponsored or hosted the event, include their name after the conference title. This provides additional context for the source.

Example: International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

5. Date of Speech

Provide the date the speech was delivered, using the day-month-year format. Abbreviate months with more than four letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.).

Example: 15 Sept. 2022.

6. Location of Speech

Include the city and state where the speech was delivered. If the speech took place in a foreign country, include the country as well.

Example: London, England.

7. Type of Presentation

Specify the type of presentation (e.g., Address, Lecture, Keynote Speech, Presentation, Reading). This helps readers understand the nature of the source.

Example: Keynote Speech.

Assembling the Complete Works Cited Entry

Putting all the elements together, here are a few more examples of complete Works Cited entries for speeches:

Example 1: Speech with a Title

Carter, Emily. "The Ethics of Genetic Engineering." Bioethics Conference, National Institutes of Health, 22 June 2021, Bethesda, MD. Keynote Speech.
Example 2: Speech without a Title (Descriptive Phrase)

Johnson, Robert. Remarks on economic policy. Global Economic Forum, 10 Jan. 2023, Davos, Switzerland. Address.
Example 3: Speech Heard on the Radio

Obama, Michelle. Address to the Democratic National Convention. 17 Aug. 2020, Milwaukee, WI. Radio broadcast. National Public Radio, www.npr.org/sections/conventions/2020/08/17/903257572/michelle-obama-dnc-speech-transcript.

Creating In-Text Citations for Speeches

In-text citations are brief references within your writing that point readers to the full entry on the Works Cited page. For speeches, the in-text citation typically includes the speaker's last name.

Example: (Smith).

If you mention the speaker's name in your sentence, you don't need to repeat it in the parenthetical citation.

Example: As Johnson argued, the current policy is unsustainable.

Adding Time Stamps (If Applicable)

If you need to cite a specific moment in the speech (e.g., when quoting from a recording), you can add a timestamp to the in-text citation.

Example: (Smith 1:22:45). This refers to 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 45 seconds into the recording.

Citing Different Types of Presentations

The basic principles remain the same, but here's how to adapt the citation for different types of presentations:

Conference Presentations

Include the title of the conference, the sponsoring organization (if applicable), the date, and the location.
Specify "Presentation" as the type of presentation.

Example: Anderson, Sarah. "The Role of AI in Healthcare." Future of Medicine Conference, American Medical Association, 8 May 2023, San Francisco, CA. Presentation.

Lectures

Include the title of the lecture (if available), the name of the course or lecture series, the institution, the date, and the location.
Specify "Lecture" as the type of presentation.

Example: Brown, David. "The History of Jazz." Music History 101, University of California, 12 Oct. 2022, Los Angeles, CA. Lecture.

Keynote Speeches

Include the title of the conference or event, the sponsoring organization (if applicable), the date, and the location.
Specify "Keynote Speech" as the type of presentation.

Example: Davis, Maria. "The Power of Innovation." Technology Summit, Innovation Institute, 3 Nov. 2023, New York, NY. Keynote Speech.

Online Presentations (e.g., Webinars)

Include the speaker's name, the title of the presentation (if available), the date, and the URL.
Specify "Webinar" as the type of presentation.

Example: Garcia, Luis. "Digital Marketing Strategies." 15 Feb. 2023, www.example.com/webinars/digital-marketing. Webinar.

Presentations on YouTube or Other Video Platforms

Speaker's Last Name, First Name.
"Title of Video."
YouTube, uploaded by [Username], Date of Publication, URL.

Example: Doe, John. "AI and the Future." YouTube, uploaded by JohnDoeVlogs, 2 Jan. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxx.

Special Cases and Considerations

Here are some special cases and considerations when citing a speaker in MLA style:

Unpublished Speeches

If the speech is unpublished (i.e., not formally recorded or transcribed), you should indicate that in your citation. You can add "(Unpublished speech)" after the type of presentation.

Example: Wilson, Emily. "The Importance of Early Childhood Education." Education Reform Conference, 10 Mar. 2022, Boston, MA. Keynote Speech (Unpublished speech).

Multiple Speakers

If the presentation had multiple speakers, list them in the order they appeared. Separate their names with "and."

Example: Smith, John, and Jane Doe. "Teamwork in the 21st Century." Leadership Summit, 5 May 2023, Chicago, IL. Presentation.

Speaker with a Title or Position

If the speaker has a notable title or position that is relevant to their speech, you can include it after their name, separated by a comma.

Example: Jones, David, CEO of Tech Innovations. "The Future of Technology." Technology Conference, 12 Sept. 2022, San Francisco, CA. Keynote Speech.

Missing Information

If you are missing some information (e.g., the date or location), try to find it through research. If you cannot find the information, omit it from the citation. Do not make up information.

Personal Communication (e.g., Interview)

If you are citing a personal communication, such as an interview, use the following format:

Last Name, First Name of the interviewee. Type of communication (e.g., Personal interview). Date of interview.

Example: Anderson, Mary. Personal interview. 10 July 2023.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when citing a speaker in MLA style:

Forgetting to include the speaker's name.
Omitting the title of the speech or a descriptive phrase.
Leaving out the date or location of the speech.
Failing to specify the type of presentation.
Not including an in-text citation to match the Works Cited entry.
Using incorrect punctuation or capitalization.
Inconsistent formatting.

Tools and Resources for MLA Citation

Several tools and resources can help you with MLA citation:

Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab): This website offers comprehensive guidance on MLA style, including examples and explanations.
Citation Generators: Several websites and software programs can generate MLA citations automatically. However, be sure to double-check the citations for accuracy.
MLA Handbook: The official MLA Handbook is the definitive guide to MLA style.

Why Accurate Citation Matters

Accurate citation is essential for several reasons:

Avoiding Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own. Proper citation gives credit to the original source and avoids plagiarism.
Giving Credit to Sources: Citing your sources acknowledges the contributions of other researchers and thinkers.
Enhancing Credibility: Accurate citation demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and are using reliable sources.
Helping Readers Find Sources: Citations allow readers to locate the sources you used and verify your information.
Maintaining Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is the foundation of scholarly work. Proper citation is a key component of academic integrity.

Conclusion

Mastering how to cite a speaker MLA style is a valuable skill for any student or researcher. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you give proper credit to your sources, avoid plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity. Remember to pay attention to detail, use the correct format for different types of presentations, and double-check your citations for accuracy. Consistent and accurate citation will enhance the credibility of your work and demonstrate your commitment to scholarly standards.