How To Cite A Speech Mla

Crafting a compelling speech is one thing; properly citing it in MLA format is another. Whether you're referencing a famous address, a conference presentation, or a casual talk, accurate citation is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit where it's due. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of citing speeches in MLA, ensuring your research is both credible and meticulously documented.

Understanding the Importance of Citing Speeches

Citing speeches correctly isn't just about following rules; it's about intellectual honesty. It demonstrates that you've engaged with the ideas of others and are acknowledging their contributions to your own work. Moreover, proper citation allows your readers to locate the original source material, fostering further research and critical analysis. In the context of speeches, citation can be particularly important, as the oral nature of the medium can sometimes lead to ambiguity about authorship and origin.

General Format for Citing a Speech in MLA

The Modern Language Association (MLA) has specific guidelines for citing various sources, including speeches. The core elements of a speech citation include the speaker's name, the title of the speech (if available), the event where the speech was delivered, the date of delivery, and the location. The general format looks like this:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Name of Conference or Event, Date, Location.

Let's break down each element:

• Speaker's Last Name, First Name: Begin with the speaker's full name, last name first, followed by a comma, and then the first name.
• "Title of Speech (if any)": If the speech has a formal title, enclose it in quotation marks. If the speech doesn't have a formal title, you can create a descriptive title (without quotation marks) that reflects the speech's content.
• Name of Conference or Event: Italicize the name of the conference, meeting, or event where the speech took place. If the speech wasn't part of a larger event, this element can be omitted.
• Date: Provide the date the speech was delivered in day-month-year format (e.g., 15 July 2023). Abbreviate months with more than four letters (e.g., Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.).
• Location: Indicate the city where the speech was delivered. If the speech was delivered online, you can specify "Online."

Specific Scenarios and Examples

Now, let's explore various scenarios you might encounter when citing speeches in MLA format, along with practical examples.

1. Citing a Speech from a Published Source (e.g., a Book or Journal)

Sometimes, speeches are transcribed and published in books or journals. In such cases, your citation should reflect the publication details.

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Title of Book/Journal, edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page Number(s).

Example:

Obama, Barack. "A More Perfect Union." Barack Obama: Speeches, edited by E.J. Dionne Jr. and Joy-Ann Reid, Beacon Press, 2007, pp. 191-205.

In-text Citation:

(Obama 195)

2. Citing a Speech from a Website or Online Video

With the prevalence of online platforms, many speeches are available as recordings or transcripts on websites like YouTube, TED, or organizational websites.

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Website Name, Date, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. "We Should All Be Feminists." TED, 2012, www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_we_should_all_be_feminists. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Adichie)

If the speech is on YouTube, include the channel name after the title:

Example:

Gates, Bill. "How We Must Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic." YouTube, uploaded by The Wall Street Journal, 26 Mar. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEMKudv_7s. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Gates)

3. Citing an Unpublished Speech (e.g., a Conference Presentation You Attended)

When citing a speech you heard in person at a conference or event, the citation focuses on the event details.

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Name of Conference or Event, Date, Location.

Example:

Smith, Jane. "The Future of Artificial Intelligence." AI Summit, 15 July 2023, New York City.

In-text Citation:

(Smith)

4. Citing a Speech Transcript

If you are citing a transcript of a speech, whether found online or in print, be sure to indicate that you are using a transcript.

Format (Online Transcript):

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Transcript. Website Name, Date, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

King, Martin Luther, Jr. "I Have a Dream." Transcript. American Rhetoric, www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkingihaveadream.htm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

Format (Print Transcript):

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Transcript. Name of Book/Journal, edited by Editor's Name(s), Publisher, Year, Page Number(s).

In-text Citation:

(King)

5. Citing a Radio Address or Podcast

Speeches are often broadcast via radio or published as podcasts. The citation format differs slightly for these mediums.

Format (Radio Address):

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Name of Radio Program, Radio Station, Date of Broadcast.

Example:

Roosevelt, Franklin D. "The Four Freedoms." Fireside Chat, NBC Radio, 6 Jan. 1941.

Format (Podcast):

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Name of Podcast, Publisher (if different from podcast name), Date of Publication, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

Gladwell, Malcolm. "Revisionist History." Revisionist History, Panoply Media, 16 June 2016, revisionisthistory.com/episodes/16-blinking. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Roosevelt) or (Gladwell)

6. Citing a Press Conference

Press conferences often contain impromptu remarks that can be valuable for research. Cite them as follows:

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. Press Conference. Name of Organization, Date, Location (if applicable). URL (if applicable). Accessed Date (if applicable).

Example:

Biden, Joe. Press Conference. The White House, 25 Mar. 2021, Washington, D.C. www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/03/25/remarks-by-president-biden-in-press-conference/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Biden)

7. Citing a Lecture

Lectures delivered in an academic setting also require proper citation.

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Lecture (if any)." Course Name, University, Date.

Example:

Johnson, Emily. "The History of Modern Art." Art History 101, University of California, 5 Sept. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Johnson)

Creating a Descriptive Title When No Official Title Exists

Sometimes, a speech doesn't have an official title. In such cases, you should create a brief, descriptive title that accurately reflects the speech's content. This descriptive title should not be italicized or placed in quotation marks.

Example:

Let's say you attended a town hall meeting where a local politician spoke about the importance of community development.

Citation:

Thompson, Michael. Remarks on community development. Town Hall Meeting, 20 July 2023, Anytown, USA.

In-text Citation:

(Thompson)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing Information: Ensure you have all the necessary information (speaker, title, event, date, location) before creating your citation.
• Incorrect Dates: Double-check the date of the speech to avoid errors.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in your citations (e.g., use the same date format throughout).
• Failure to Indicate Transcript: If you are citing a transcript, make sure you explicitly state that in your citation.
• Forgetting Access Dates: For online sources, always include the date you accessed the material.
• Not Citing at All: The most egregious error is failing to cite a speech when you've used its content in your work.

In-Text Citations: A Quick Guide

In-text citations are brief references within your text that point to the full citation in your Works Cited list. For speeches, the in-text citation typically includes the speaker's last name and, if available, a page number or other locator.

• General Format: (Speaker's Last Name Page Number)
• Example: (Obama 195)
• If no page numbers are available: (Speaker's Last Name)
• Example: (Adichie)

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

Example:

As Obama argued in his speech, "A More Perfect Union," the complexities of race in America require ongoing dialogue (198).

Constructing the Works Cited Page

Your Works Cited page is an alphabetized list of all the sources you've cited in your paper. Each entry on the Works Cited page should provide complete and accurate information, allowing your readers to locate the original source.

• Alphabetization: Arrange your entries alphabetically by the speaker's last name.
• Hanging Indent: Each entry should have a hanging indent (the first line is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented).
• Double-Spacing: The entire Works Cited page should be double-spaced.

Utilizing Citation Management Tools

Citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and Citationsy can be invaluable for organizing your sources and generating accurate citations. These tools allow you to store your research materials, create citations in various styles (including MLA), and automatically generate your Works Cited page. While these tools are helpful, always double-check the generated citations to ensure they are accurate and adhere to MLA guidelines.

The Importance of Accuracy and Consistency

Accuracy and consistency are paramount when citing speeches in MLA format. Errors in your citations can undermine your credibility and make it difficult for readers to verify your sources. Therefore, take the time to double-check your citations and ensure they comply with MLA guidelines. Consistency in formatting (e.g., date format, use of italics) is equally important.

Addressing Complex Scenarios

Sometimes, you may encounter complex scenarios that require nuanced citation strategies. For example, what if a speech has multiple speakers? Or what if you're citing a speech that was translated from another language?

Multiple Speakers

If a speech has multiple speakers, list their names in the order they appear on the source, separated by commas. Only the first speaker's name is reversed.

Format:

Speaker 1 Last Name, First Name, and Speaker 2 First Name Last Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Name of Conference or Event, Date, Location.

Example:

Gates, Bill, and Melinda Gates. "The Fight Against Polio." Rotary International Convention, 26 June 2015, São Paulo, Brazil.

In-text Citation:

(Gates and Gates)

Translated Speeches

If you are citing a speech that has been translated, include the translator's name after the title of the speech.

Format:

Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech (if any)." Translated by Translator's Name. Name of Book/Journal/Website, Date, Location/URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

Neruda, Pablo. "Ode to Typography." Translated by Clark Kerr. The University of California Press, 1961, content.ucpress.edu/chapters/12899.ch08.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

In-text Citation:

(Neruda)

Staying Updated with MLA Guidelines

The MLA style guide is periodically updated to reflect changes in research practices and technology. It's essential to stay informed about the latest edition of the MLA Handbook and any updates or clarifications issued by the MLA. Consulting the official MLA Handbook or the MLA Style Center website can help you ensure your citations are accurate and up-to-date.

Final Thoughts

Citing speeches in MLA format might seem daunting at first, but with a clear understanding of the guidelines and a systematic approach, it becomes a manageable task. By mastering the art of speech citation, you not only enhance the credibility of your research but also contribute to the scholarly conversation by acknowledging the voices and ideas that have shaped your work. Remember to pay attention to detail, stay consistent, and always double-check your citations to ensure they are accurate and complete. Happy citing!