how to put references in 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.

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• Last Updated: May 24, 2024 1:00 PM
• URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa

How to Reference in a PowerPoint Presentation Harvard

PowerPoint presentations are a popular tool for presenting information and data in a visually engaging way. However, with the vast amount of information that can be included in a presentation, it is important to ensure that all sources are properly cited. This is where the Harvard referencing system comes in. In this article, we will discuss the importance of Harvard referencing in PowerPoint presentations and provide a comprehensive guide on how to use it effectively.

Table of Contents

Why Harvard referencing is important in PowerPoint presentations

Harvard referencing is important in PowerPoint presentations because it helps to establish credibility and authenticity. When sources are properly cited, it shows that the presenter has conducted thorough research and has used credible sources to support their arguments. Additionally, Harvard referencing helps to prevent plagiarism by giving credit to the original authors of the information used in the presentation.

Furthermore, Harvard referencing also allows the audience to easily locate and access the sources used in the presentation. This is particularly important in academic or professional settings where the audience may want to further explore the topic or verify the information presented. By providing clear and accurate citations, the presenter is facilitating the audience’s ability to engage with the material beyond the presentation itself.

Understanding the Harvard referencing system

The Harvard referencing system is a widely used referencing system that uses brackets in the text to cite sources, and a reference list at the end of the presentation to provide more detail about each cited source. The reference list should be organized alphabetically by the author’s last name, or by the title if there is no author. Each reference should include the author’s name, publication date, title of the work, place and publisher of publication for books, and the URL for online sources.

It is important to note that the Harvard referencing system is not the only referencing system available. Other commonly used referencing systems include APA, MLA, and Chicago. It is important to check with your instructor or supervisor to determine which referencing system is preferred for your specific project or assignment. Additionally, there are many online tools and resources available to help with the formatting and organization of references in the Harvard referencing system, such as citation generators and reference management software.

How to format in-text citations in Harvard style

In-text citations in Harvard style should be placed in brackets immediately after the information being cited. The citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the publication year needs to be included in the citation.

For example:

“According to Smith (2020), the use of PowerPoint presentations has increased in recent years.”

“The use of PowerPoint presentations has increased in recent years (Smith, 2020).”

It is important to note that in Harvard style, if you are citing a source with multiple authors, you should include all of their last names in the citation, up to three authors. If there are more than three authors, you can use “et al.” after the first author’s name. For example:

“Several studies have shown the benefits of regular exercise (Jones, Smith, & Lee, 2018)”

“The benefits of regular exercise have been well documented (Jones et al., 2018).”

How to create a bibliography in Harvard style for PowerPoint presentations

The bibliography in Harvard style should be included at the end of the presentation and should list all sources used in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

The format for a book reference is as follows:

Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title of book. Publisher.

The format for an online source is as follows:

Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title of article. Website name. URL.

It is important to note that when citing sources in Harvard style, you should also include the page numbers for any direct quotes used. Additionally, if you are citing a source that has multiple authors, you should list all of their names in the order they appear on the source. If there are more than three authors, you can list the first author followed by “et al.” Finally, make sure to double-check your bibliography for accuracy and completeness before submitting your presentation.

Tips for citing sources in PowerPoint presentations using Harvard style

When citing sources in PowerPoint presentations, it is important to be consistent and use the same citation style throughout the presentation. Additionally, it is important to include all necessary information in the reference list to make it easier for readers to locate the sources.

One important aspect of citing sources in PowerPoint presentations using Harvard style is to include in-text citations for any information or ideas that are not your own. This helps to give credit to the original author and avoid plagiarism. In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the year of publication, and should be placed within parentheses at the end of the sentence or phrase where the information is used.

Common mistakes to avoid when referencing in a PowerPoint presentation

Common mistakes when referencing in PowerPoint presentations include forgetting to include in-text citations, using incorrect formatting for references, and failing to include all necessary information in the reference list.

Another common mistake is not properly paraphrasing information from sources. It is important to put information into your own words and give credit to the original source. Simply copying and pasting information without proper citation is considered plagiarism and can have serious consequences.

Additionally, it is important to make sure that all sources used in the presentation are reliable and credible. Using sources that are not reputable can damage the credibility of the presentation and the presenter. It is important to do thorough research and use sources that are trustworthy and relevant to the topic being presented.

How to use Microsoft Office tools to create Harvard references in PowerPoint presentations

Microsoft Office tools such as Word and PowerPoint have built-in tools for creating references in Harvard style. To use these tools, select the “References” tab in PowerPoint and select the Harvard referencing style. You can then enter the necessary information for each source and let the software format the reference list for you.

It is important to note that while the software can format the reference list for you, it is still your responsibility to ensure that the references are accurate and complete. Make sure to double-check the information you enter and verify that it matches the source material. Additionally, if you are using sources that are not included in the software’s database, you will need to manually enter the reference information.

Examples of properly formatted Harvard references in PowerPoint presentations

Some examples of properly formatted Harvard references in PowerPoint presentations include:

Smith, J. (2020). The use of PowerPoint presentations. PublishingCo.

Online source:

Williams, S. (2019). The benefits of PowerPoint presentations. BlogName. https://www.blog.com/powerpoint-benefits/

Another example of a properly formatted Harvard reference in a PowerPoint presentation is:

Journal article:

Johnson, R. & Lee, K. (2018). The effectiveness of PowerPoint presentations in the classroom. Journal of Education, 45(2), 67-78. doi: 10.1080/00220671.2018.1434345

This reference includes the author’s names, the year of publication, the title of the article, the name of the journal, the volume and issue number, and the page numbers. It also includes a digital object identifier (DOI) which is a unique identifier for the article.

Best practices for creating a professional and accurate reference list in PowerPoint presentations

Some best practices for creating a professional and accurate reference list in PowerPoint presentations include being consistent with the citation style, including all necessary information for each source, and double-checking all references for accuracy and proper formatting.

Another important aspect to consider when creating a reference list in PowerPoint presentations is to ensure that the sources cited are relevant and credible. It is important to use sources that are reputable and reliable, such as peer-reviewed articles, academic journals, and books from reputable publishers.

Additionally, it is important to properly format the reference list according to the citation style being used. This includes proper indentation, punctuation, and capitalization. It is also important to ensure that the reference list is presented in a clear and organized manner, making it easy for the audience to read and understand.

How to handle referencing different types of sources, such as books, journals, and websites, in a PowerPoint presentation

Referencing different types of sources may require slightly different formatting in Harvard style. For example, book references include the place and publisher of publication, while online sources include the URL. It is important to refer to a comprehensive style guide for Harvard referencing to ensure proper formatting for each type of source.

In addition to proper formatting, it is also important to accurately cite your sources in your PowerPoint presentation. This means including in-text citations on each slide where you use information from a source, as well as a complete reference list at the end of your presentation. Failure to properly cite sources can result in accusations of plagiarism and damage to your academic or professional reputation.

Importance of citing sources correctly to avoid plagiarism

Citing sources correctly is important to avoid plagiarism, which is the act of presenting someone else’s work as your own. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and can lead to severe consequences. Proper citation gives credit to the original authors and helps to maintain academic integrity.

In addition to avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity, proper citation also allows readers to locate and verify the sources used in your work. This helps to establish the credibility and reliability of your research. Furthermore, citing sources correctly demonstrates your understanding and appreciation of the contributions made by other scholars in your field.

How to edit and update references in a PowerPoint presentation

To edit or update references in a PowerPoint presentation, open the reference list and make the necessary changes to the information. It is important to ensure that all references are consistent with the established citation style and that all necessary information is included.

Ways to integrate your references seamlessly into your PowerPoint presentation design

To integrate references seamlessly into a PowerPoint presentation, consider using footnotes instead of in-text citations, or displaying the references in a separate slide. It is also important to use a legible font size and format the reference list using clear headings and bullet points.

Creating an annotated bibliography using the Harvard referencing system for your PowerPoint presentation

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources with brief summaries or evaluations of each source. To create an annotated bibliography using Harvard referencing, include the same information as a standard reference, followed by a brief summary of the source. The annotation should be a maximum of 150 words.

Harvard referencing is an important aspect of PowerPoint presentations that helps to establish credibility, prevent plagiarism, and maintain academic integrity. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can effectively use Harvard referencing in your own presentations and ensure that all sources are properly cited.

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How to Put References or Cite Sources in PowerPoint

Adding citations and references is crucial when creating an impactful PowerPoint presentation. Properly citing sources lends credibility to the content and demonstrates respect for other authors’ work. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to cite sources in PowerPoint.

Why Citing Sources is Important in Presentations

Citing sources serves multiple purposes:

• It gives credit to the original author and shows you understand the source material
• It allows the audience to verify the information you provide
• It strengthens your argument by backing it with authoritative sources
• It shows the research effort you put into creating the presentation

Failing to cite sources amounts to plagiarism, even if unintentional. While your audience may not check every fact you state, properly citing sources throughout the presentation establishes you as a credible presenter.

When to Cite Sources in Presentations

You need to cite sources in these instances:

• When you directly quote a source
• When you paraphrase content from a source
• When you incorporate images, graphs, charts, or tables from an external source
• When you cite statistics, facts, or other specific information from a source

Essentially, if the content is not your own and can be traced back to an original source, you must cite it.

How to Cite Sources in Presentations

There are three key ways to cite sources in PowerPoint presentations:

1. In-text Citations

In-text citations are placed alongside the information cited and correspond to the full reference in the reference list.

To add an in-text citation:

• Select the text that needs citation
• On the “References” tab, choose the style you want (APA, MLA, etc.)
• Fill in the source information to generate the citation

The in-text citation will appear in the slide text.

2. Reference List

A reference list at the end of the PowerPoint includes full details of all sources cited in the presentation.

To make a reference list:

• Place references on a separate slide titled “References”
• List sources in the chosen style (APA, MLA, etc.) with hanging indents
• Order entries alphabetically by author’s last name

3. Footnotes

Footnotes appear at the bottom of the slide and show citation details. This approach keeps slide text clean when citing multiple sources per slide.

To insert footnotes:

• Select text that needs citation
• Go to “Insert” tab and pick “Footnote”
• Type or paste the footnote citation text

Formatting References in Presentations

Whichever citation method you use, apply the formatting guidelines of the selected style:

• Author name, Publication Year, Title, Site Name, URL
• Use hanging indents
• Order entries alphabetically
• Author name, “Presentation Title,” Site Name, Day Month Year, URL

Chicago Style

• Author name, “Presentation Title” (Site Name, Month Day Year), URL
• Use regular indents
• Place in footnote format
• Order entries by appearance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these common citation mistakes in presentations:

• Not citing a source for every fact or quote used
• Failing to include reference entries for sources cited in slides
• Using inconsistent citation formats within a presentation
• Providing inadequate source information in citations
• Listing sources not actually cited in the presentation

By keeping these guidelines in mind and citing properly at the moment content is added, you can seamlessly incorporate citations in your PowerPoint presentation.

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APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Powerpoint Presentations

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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]

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• Last Updated: Apr 15, 2024 11:26 AM
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How to Cite a Website, Book, YouTube Video, etc. in PowerPoint

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• August 16, 2019

Citing a source in a report or paper is pretty easy – you just give the source details according to a particular style of citation.

But, when it comes to presentations and speeches, do you know how to correctly cite your sources?

It seems like quite a basic question at first, but when it comes to the practicalities and technicalities, the answers aren’t so easy to come by.

Sure, quotes may be simple enough to introduce, but what about all the other information, data, facts, figures, and images you use? Do you know how to present that information and give proper legal credit without disrupting the flow of your presentation?

No? Then read on!

Important Legal Note:  This is not legal advice. For full details on copyright laws and Fair Use licenses, please check the  US Copyright Office .

Table of Contents

Why citing your sources is important.

Your audience needs to know where the information, visuals, or any other materials you use in your presentation come from.

Very often our presentations and speeches are informed by or based on the work of others and this needs to be acknowledged. Likewise, audio, visual, or video is copyright protected.

Citing sources and creative owners can also help keep you on the right side of copyright law and fair use licenses….more on this below.

Make your work more credible

Citing gives your audience a good impression by proving how well you know your stuff. By attributing work to the rightful owners, you also show integrity.

A well-cited presentation appears well-researched and properly developed; and hence, it’s often better delivered, and better received.

Give the audience access to information

The whole point of a presentation or speech is to share knowledge. By citing your sources, you give your audience the opportunity to learn more about your subject and do their own research if they so wish.

Citations and Copyright

If you use someone else’s copyrighted material in your presentation without citing the creator – or if you cite them incorrectly – you may likely be guilty of copyright infringement.

Copyright infringement is only 100% avoided by getting the copyright owner’s explicit permission.

You can, however, use copyrighted material without permission if you can show that it doesn’t infringe on Fair Use.

To learn more about Fair Use, see this article  here  on the U.S. Copyright Office website.

This can be a rather gray area, as what is considered to be ‘fair use’ can be open to interpretation. Generally speaking, Fair Use takes into consideration the following:

• the purpose and character of the use
• the profit or nonprofit cause
• the nature of the protected work
• how much of the work is used
• how the use affects the value or future demand of the work

For example, if you use a copyrighted photograph just because it looks cool, use it as your background image on a PowerPoint slide, or repeatedly use it so that it becomes associated with your brand, then this is not Fair Use.

If you use the photograph to make a point, illustrate an idea, or for educational purposes, and also give proper accreditation to the copyright owner even if you don’t have permission, then that might be considered Fair Use and would probably be fine.

How to do in-text citations in PowerPoint

In-text citations are citations you see on the screen, and are often in the same format you’d see in a written report.

If your slide refers to a study, for example, you will need to add the copyright details. To do that, simply add the name of the author, the work and the publication in parentheses after the reference.

For example, in parenthesis: (Author, Date).

This is particularly useful when presenting quotes or insightful facts and figures that support your message.

Note: This type of citation sometimes doesn’t leave enough room for all the information you need to provide. In this case, you can add a Sources slide at the very end of your presentation

Adding footnote citations

You can also use footnotes on your PowerPoint slides to give citations.

Next to the text you would like to reference, add the number ‘ 1 ’ for your first citation. Highlight it, and then from the ‘Home’ option, open the Font box and select ‘ Subscript ’ and click on ‘ OK ’.

Then, click on ‘ Insert ,’ select a text box and then draw it onto your slide. Enter the same number as you used in the text, and type your source details. You will likely want to reduce the size of the text.

Note: When I talk about footnotes here, I don’t mean the Header & Footer feature in PowerPoint. You can write your citations inside the Footer placeholder, but keep in mind that the text you type in here will display on every slide that has the Footer enabled.

Verbal citation during a presentation

For some material, you may choose not to give an in-text citation, but rather give credit verbally. Be sure to introduce the source before you present the information and keep it brief so that it doesn’t slow down the flow of your presentation.

Here are some example phrases:

• According to Dr. Richards, professor of Such and Such at This University,…
• John Dean, author of the 2015 study, A Study of Something, argues that…
• Jane Gordons, a journalist writing for the New York Times, offers this example….

Use speaker notes to help you cite verbally

It is a good idea to add the full citation details in the speaker notes so that you make sure you relay the correct details.

Also it ensures that the full citations will be seen should you share your slides with audience or team members after the presentation, or print them.

How to cite a website

If you are wondering how to cite websites, that’s probably because not all websites provide the authors name for you to cite (making it a bit more difficult).

If you can’t find the website authors name you can instead cite the website’s address. And you don’t have to copy and paste the whole URL when citing websites either.

When citing a website, you just need to give enough information so that your audience knows where the information came from and how to get more details if they want to check it out.

Here are the common elements you’ll need to properly cite a website in your presentation:

• Website or author name
• Page name or article title
• Exact URL of website
• Page date of publication

See the cited website example in the picture below.

How to cite a picture or image

There are countless places for pictures that are available for free and public use according to Creative Commons licensing. You can search  Flickr  and  Google Advanced Image Search  by filtering the results by ‘Creative Commons’.

There are also sites providing stock images which are royalty free and can be used without attribution, such as  Pixabay  or  Pexels .

Always check the licensing agreements, as some images may have ‘some rights reserved’ or specific requirements for citations.

The common elements you’ll need when citing a picture are:

• Creator’s name
• Title of the picture
• Date and location of publication
• Publisher or website
• Picture URL

To create the citation in PowerPoint, you can insert a small text box and add the details in a readable way, as you can see in the example below.

To learn how to crop a picture in PowerPoint into different shapes as pictured above,  read our guide here .

How to cite a YouTube video

While YouTube is a free online streaming service, you shouldn’t assume that you can use anyone’s video without properly citing it.

Here are the common elements you’ll need to create a YouTube video citation:

• Creator’s name or screen name
• Video title
• Website name
• Publication date

Whichever citation method you use, should at a minimum credit the creator of the video (real name if possible, but their username will suffice), and the year the video was posted. For example: (Nuts & Bolts Speed Training, 2014).

In the notes for full referencing, you’ll need more details:

Author/Username. (month, day, year). Title of video (Video file). Retrieved from  http://URL.com .

Nuts & Bolts Speed Training. (June 25, 2014). 4 PowerPoint Tricks You Don’t Know (Video File). Retrieved from  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05OW0Ce8rT8 .

How to cite a book

Books are another common reference material you’ll want to properly cite in your presentations.

Here are the common elements you’ll need when citing a book (same-same for a magazine):

• Author name
• Publication date and location
• Publisher name

If you are paraphrasing from a book, include an in-text citation of the author and the year (Brown, 2005) or the author, year and the page number (Brown, 2005, p.13), immediately following the text.

Another option for your citation, is to include them in Speaker Notes so that if you print your notes as handouts, the speaker notes will appear there.

NOTE: For help printing your speaker notes, see our guide on Printing PowerPoint with speaker notes .

How to cite a lecture (talk or speech)

Like for books and quotes, the in-text citation will need the author’s last name and the year the speech or talk was presented, written in parenthesis: (Gordon, 2017).

In your PowerPoint notes, it should be fully cited with the name, year, title of the talk and the format, and where it took place. For example:

Gordon, B. (2017). The Theory Behind Big Business. Presentation, Atlanta.

How to cite a song

When it comes to using a song in your presentation, there are a many variables as to whether it’s an infringement of copyright laws. Unauthorized use of a song can be allowed under the concept of ‘fair use’ as detailed above.

If you are in any doubt, obtain the license or get permission. The process is relatively straightforward and doesn’t always mean a hefty fee. Sometimes, it’s as simple as asking and getting permission or making sure you acknowledge the copyright owner.

You can give acknowledgment on the PowerPoint Slide with in-text citation on the appropriate slide or as a ‘sources slide’ at the end of your presentation:

To get permission, here are three main licensing companies that you can contact for further info: 

• ASCAP ( American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers )
• BMI ( Broadcast Music Incorporated )
• SOCAN ( Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada )

How to cite a presentation

If you want to include a slide or information gained from another PowerPoint presentation that has been published, you can use an in-text citation just as if you were citing a book.

To cite a presentation, simply cite the author’s name and the year the presentation was produced, (Dean, 2007).

In the notes you’ll add the details of “PowerPoint slides”, when it was “Retrieved from” and the URL. It should look something like this:

How to cite a quote

In the same way as you would quote from a book, an in-text citation with the author of the quote is fine.

Some quotes from historical source won’t have a book, page number or publisher to cite. In these cases, the author name (and year if possible) is sufficient.

Note:  Make sure that you thoroughly check the quote’s source if you find the quote online.

There are far too many misquoted and misattributed sayings out there and there’s nothing more embarrassing than citing the wrong person in your presentation.

So that’s how to cite a variety of different sources in your PowerPoint presentations including:

• How to cite books
• How to cite websites
• How to cite YouTube videos
• And a bunch of other sources

While in-text citation may take a little more work, it is better than keeping all of your sources in the conclusion. That’s because the end of your presentation should be punchy, memorable, and leave your audience with a good impression (see our tips for how to end a presentation  here ).

This is particularly true as, your audience isn’t able to flip back to see which citation goes with which image, quote, video, website, etc. Giving them the details at the same time as the material allows them to take note of it there and then.

It’s a small detail but makes a huge difference when it comes to delivering a seamless and informative presentation.

If you enjoyed this ultimate guide to citing sources in PowerPoint, you’ll love our other PowerPoint training course and resources that you can  check out here .

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• 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.
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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).

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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)

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How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 66,728 times. Learn more...

PowerPoint presentations often convey a lot of information in a brief format that's easy to understand. For this reason, they also make excellent sources for a research paper — especially if you're writing on a complex, cutting-edge topic. But how should you cite your source? The elements included in your citation are generally the same as those you would use for any other lecture or presentation. Your specific format will vary, though, depending on whether you're using the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or Chicago citation style.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages."

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

• Example: Kalyanaraman, Ananth. "CPT S 317: Automata and Formal Languages." 2017. School of EECS, Washington State University, Pullman. Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. eecs.wsu.edu/~ananth/CptS317/Lectures/Course.pdf.

• For example, you might write: One of the objectives of the course is to introduce automata theory and the theory of computation (Kalyanaraman slide 3).

• The basic format for a personal communication in-text citation is as follows: (A. Lastname, personal communication, Month day, year).

• Example: Braun, M.

• Example: Braun, M. (2020).

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides].

• Example: Braun, M. (2020). Diseases of the nervous system [PowerPoint slides]. http://medsci.indiana.edu/c602web/602/c602web/opt/braun/Diseases_NervousSystem.pdf

• For example, you might write: A subdural hemorrhage is a rotational injury that causes slow bleeding (Braun, 2020).
• If you use the presenter's name in the text of your paper, add a parenthetical immediately after the name with the year for the presentation. For example, you might write: Braun (2020) differentiates between different types of brain hemorrhages, which require different treatment.
• If you quote directly from the presentation, add the slide number after the year. For example, you might write: According to Braun (2020, slide 3), the "accumulation of junk" in the central nervous system can lead to problems.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation."

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020.

• Example: Damodaran, Aswath. "Intrinsic Valuation." PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020. http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.

• Example: Aswath Damodaran, "Intrinsic Valuation," (PowerPoint presentation, Equity Instruments, NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY, January 2020), http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/eqnotes/valpacket1spr20.pdf.
• After the first footnote, use a shortened format for subsequent footnotes with the last name of the presenter and the title of the presentation. For example:

Community Q&A

• If the slides come from a classroom website, company intranet, or learning management system (such as Canvas or Blackboard), use the URL only if you're writing for an audience that would have access to that system. [18] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• This article covers how to cite a PowerPoint presentation using the MLA 8th edition (2016), the APA 7th edition (2019), and the Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition (2017). Consult your instructor or editor to make sure you're using the right edition for your citations. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://style.mla.org/citing_slides/
• ↑ https://research.moreheadstate.edu/c.php?g=610039&p=4234940
• ↑ https://libguides.capilanou.ca/mla/classnotes
• ↑ https://writeanswers.royalroads.ca/faq/199089
• ↑ https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/APA/lecture
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/powerpoint-references
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other#s-lg-box-wrapper-28673142
• ↑ https://library.ulethbridge.ca/chicagostyle/other/lecture
• ↑ https://libguides.up.edu/chicago/other

About This Article

To cite a PowerPoint presentation in MLA, use footnotes or endnotes to cite your sources. Then in the footnote, list the author’s last name followed by a comma then their first name. Then write the title of the lecture in quotes followed by the venue, the city it was held in, and the abbreviated date you accessed the work. You should put a period after each item. For instance, you might write, “Smith, John. ‘Sensitivity and Social Media.’ Today's Social Networks. Thomson Auditorium. Hamilton. Jan. 23, 2016. Keynote address.” To learn how to cite PowerPoint presentations in APA style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Do a Bibliography on Powerpoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a bibliography in PowerPoint is straightforward. You simply add a new slide at the end of your presentation where you list all of your sources. This is essential for crediting the work of others and avoiding plagiarism. It’s also a great way to provide your audience with resources for further reading.

After completing your bibliography, you’ll have a professional and credible PowerPoint presentation. Your audience will appreciate your attention to detail and your respect for the intellectual property of others.

Introduction

When it comes to giving presentations, the devil is often in the details. One important detail that sometimes gets overlooked is the bibliography. Whether you’re a student presenting a research project or a professional sharing industry insights, citing your sources is crucial. It not only gives credit where credit is due but also strengthens your own credibility. So, how do you go about adding a bibliography to your PowerPoint presentation? And why is this step so essential?

A bibliography in PowerPoint serves as a reference point for your audience, allowing them to verify the facts you present and explore the topic further on their own time. It’s also a mark of professionalism and academic integrity. This is particularly relevant for students, researchers, and professionals who rely on the work of others to support their own findings. In a world where information is easily accessible, it’s important to distinguish between original ideas and borrowed insights.

How to Do a Bibliography on PowerPoint

The following steps will guide you through adding a bibliography to your PowerPoint presentation. This will ensure that you properly acknowledge the sources of your information.

Step 1: Add a New Slide

Add a new slide at the end of your presentation for your bibliography.

This new slide will be dedicated entirely to your bibliography. It is typically the last slide of your presentation. Make sure it’s clearly titled so that your audience knows what it is.

Step 2: List Your Sources

List all the sources you used in your presentation in the new slide.

Your sources should be listed in a clear and organized manner. You can choose to format them alphabetically by the author’s last name or in the order that they appear in your presentation. Be consistent with your formatting choice throughout.

Step 3: Use a Consistent Format

Use a consistent format for each source, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style.

The formatting style you choose will depend on your field of study or the preferences of your audience. Whatever style you opt for, make sure that every source is formatted the same way. This includes the order of information and punctuation.

Step 4: Include All Necessary Information

Make sure to include all necessary information such as the author’s name, title, publisher, and publication date.

For each source, there are specific details that must be included to make it a complete citation. This typically includes the author’s name, the title of the work, the publisher, and the date of publication. For online sources, you might also need to include the URL and the date you accessed the information.

Step 5: Review and Revise

Review your bibliography for accuracy and completeness.

Go over your bibliography one more time to ensure that all sources are correctly cited and that you haven’t missed anything. A small error in your bibliography can call into question the accuracy of your entire presentation.

Additional Information

When compiling your bibliography on PowerPoint, it’s important to remember the small details that can make a big difference. For instance, did you know that the order in which you list authors’ names may change based on the citation style you’re using? And what about those pesky URLs for online sources – should you include the date you accessed them or just the date they were published?

It’s also wise to consider the design of your bibliography slide. Just because it’s the last slide in your presentation doesn’t mean it should be an afterthought. Ensure that it’s consistent with the overall design and theme of your presentation. Use the same fonts and color schemes, and make sure the text is readable. Remember, people will likely refer back to this slide, so it should be as polished as the rest of your presentation.

Lastly, while PowerPoint is a fantastic tool for presenting visual information, it may not always be the best for displaying a lot of text, such as a lengthy bibliography. In such cases, consider providing a handout with your bibliography or directing your audience to a URL where they can access it online.

• Add a new slide for your bibliography
• List your sources on the new slide
• Use a consistent citation format
• Include all necessary source information
• Review your bibliography for accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use bullet points for my bibliography entries.

Yes, bullet points are a great way to organize your bibliography entries clearly and concisely.

Do I need to include a bibliography even if I only used one source?

Yes, even if you only used one source, you should still include a bibliography slide to give proper credit.

What if I can’t find all the information needed for a citation?

If certain information is missing, do your best to provide as much detail as possible and indicate if a particular piece of information is not available.

Can I just use hyperlinks for online sources instead of full citations?

While hyperlinks are useful, they may not be accessible if the presentation is printed or shared as a PDF, so full citations are still necessary.

How many sources are too many for a PowerPoint bibliography?

There’s no set limit, but if your bibliography is very long, consider providing it in a separate handout or document.

Creating a bibliography on PowerPoint may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of your presentation, but it holds significant weight in the professional and academic realms. It not only showcases the depth of your research but also upholds the integrity of your presentation by acknowledging the authors and creators of the content you’ve referenced.

Remember, your bibliography is a testament to the work you’ve put into your presentation. It adds to your credibility as a presenter and informs your audience about the sources of your information. So, next time you’re wrapping up that PowerPoint presentation, take the extra time to ensure your bibliography is polished and professional. It’s a small step that can have a big impact.

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Harvard Referencing Guide: PowerPoint Presentations

• Introduction to the Guide
• The Harvard Referencing Method
• Cite Them Right Style
• Referencing Example
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• Reference List / Bibliography
• Introduction
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• Single Author
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• Three Authors
• Four or More Authors
• 2nd Edition
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• Journal Article - Online
• Journal Article - Printed
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• Webpage - Introduction
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• Film / Movie
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• YouTube Video
• Images - Introduction
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• Twitter Tweet
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• Course notes on the VLE
• Computer Games
• Computer Program
• General Referencing Guide >>>
• APA Referencing Guide >>>
• IEEE Referencing Guide >>>
• Research Guide >>>
• PowerPoint Presentation

Audiovisual Media - Powerpoint Presentation

PowerPoint Pr esentation

E xample -  Presentation available online and accessible by anyone

The full reference should generally include

• Year (in round brackets)
• Title of the presentation (in italics)
• [PowerPoint presentation] in square brackets
• Available at: URL
• (Accessed: date)

In-text citation

Full reference for the Reference List

Example: PowerPoint presentation from a learning management system such as the VLE

• Author or tutor
• Year of publication (in round brackets)
• Title of the presentation (in single quotation marks)
• Module code: module title (in italics)
• Available at: URL of the VLE

Example : Full reference for the Reference List

Audiovisual Material

Film / movie

TV programme

PowerPoint presentation

YouTube video

Harvard Referencing Guide: A - Z

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How to put references in a PowerPoint presentation, and why it’s important?

• December 21, 2022

Any article you write has a reference and citation to show it’s been written based on evidence. Referencing is a method for maintaining the credibility of your results and statements in your PowerPoint presentation design services . More of this can help to demonstrate to the audience where your sources are.

For your presentations, you can also insert references in PowerPoint. It’s not a challenge to find references and citations for your presentation, but it’s crucial to do it correctly. If you have no idea how to add references in PowerPoint and need a hand, this blog post is the right place to find your questions and answers.

Table of Contents

References in PowerPoint

Before learning how to add references in PowerPoint , we are going to explore what is references in PowerPoint.

References in PowerPoint are a way to cite the sources of your founded data and information you used in your presentation. It will give credit to the main authors of the information and also, allow your audience to verify and check on the accuracy of your presentation data.

How many types of references in PowerPoint do we have?

There are two main types of references in PowerPoint : in-text citations and reference lists.

In-text citations:

They are short references that occur in between the slides of your presentation. These generally comprise an abbreviated form of the authors’ surnames followed by a date of publication. it is also important to put references when you share a Google slide presentation .

(Smith, 2023) is an example of an in-text citation, which tells the reader or audience that all data on this slide is derived from a work by Smith in 2023.

Reference list or bibliography:

You may hear that reference lists are called bibliographies. It’s a list of all sources that you have referred to in this presentation. This is usually how to end a presentation .

Smith, J. (2023). The future of work. Oxford University Press is an example of a reference list entry. The reader would be able to get all he needs to trace the origin of the information through this reference list entry, which gives the readers the author’s name, title of the work, publisher, and the year published.

How to add a citation in PowerPoint?

Adding citations in PowerPoint is a specific method but easy that you can do in a few easy steps:

• In the insert tab, choose the Header & Footer option.
• Select the Footer in the slide tab pop-up window that will appear on your display, then type your references in the field.
• Push the Apply to add references and footnotes to your slide.

Note that it’s important to add citations to your slides. This will show your audience that your work is based on research and strong pieces of evidence.

How to add a bibliography in PowerPoint?

Adding a bibliography in PowerPoint is like adding citations in easy and simple steps.

• Go to the Insert tab and choose Header & Footer.
• A pop-up window will open. Choose the slide tab and then select Footer and write your bibliography in the prompted field.
• Finally, select Apply to add your bibliography to the current slide of the PowerPoint.

Note that you should bring all information about the sources, including the author’s name, publication date, title, and others.

How to add references list in PowerPoint?

It’s like previous methods but different.

• In the Insert tab, select the new slide drop-down.
• in the opened slide, choose the “Title and Content” type of slide.
• Now, use the new slide to create a reference list by writing them down or copy/paste references in the content section.

Note: According to the citation style, your reference list should be formatted. 3 citation styles are commonly used: APA, MLA, and Chicago.

The importance of including references in your presentation?

There are many reasons why insert references in PowerPoint is essential. Here are some:

Justifies Research

If you have references in your slide, it could show that you are done with this presentation yourself. It also shows that you don’t just discuss the topic but have researched it thoroughly.

Think about yourself as a member of the audience and then consider it. Do you believe in someone who presents his findings with no resources?

Helps you to stand out

Referring to other people allows viewers to see the differences between your thoughts and those of others. This is important because only some of the material in your PowerPoint presentation will reflect your unique perspective.

Sometimes, even though you disagree with the source’s views, you may still be asked to offer your own viewpoints or clarify any misconceptions. When the audience sees that the presenter has a unique stance that interests them, they will be more confident in you. You are likely to climb the career ladder.

Recognizes the source of information

No one chooses a source they don’t find useful in their presentation or when citing it in research. Citing a source is a sign that you are likely to be knowledgeable in the subject. In addition, it shows that you have done extensive research on the topic. Also, it would show the effort and hard work of the presenter to the audience.

Avoiding Plagiarism

By using capitation, you can avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as using others’ work, ideas or research on your own work. It would be best if you considered the PowerPoint plagiarism checker while using other sources in your presentation. You can use online plagiarism tools before publishing or presenting your work.

Tips on how to put references in PowerPoint

When you insert references in PowerPoint , it is crucial to provide adequate information and data.

Use the right citation style in your presentation to avoid copyright issues.

Highlight the sources you are using in your presentation, and if it’s direct from the source, use quotes.

Having citations and references in PowerPoint presentations could upgrade the quality of your work. Because it shows that you have done all parts of the process, and it’s not just a copy-paste presentation. We introduced you all possible methods on how to add references in PowerPoint to make your PPT presentation better than others. Follow our guidelines and enhance the quality of your PowerPoint presentations and your own reputation, among others.

Should I add references in a presentation?

Referencing is a technique for strengthening the credibility of your findings and arguments in your presentation. In addition, they help demonstrate to the audience where you got them from. Whether you present your work in a formal or professional setting, you must try adding references to it.

What is the difference between a bibliography and a reference?

A reference list includes only sources you have cited in your assignment. But, a bibliography refers to the list of all sources you utilized to generate your ideas about the topic, including those cited in your assignment and those you did not cite.

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Library Connect

How do I include references in my presentation slides?

• by The Library
• posted August 24, 2022

Have you got a presentation to do this trimester? If you’re planning on using PowerPoint for your presentation you might be wondering how to include referencing in your slides.     

Always check your assessment guidelines first or ask your lecturer if there is a particular way you should present the references in your PowerPoint.     

Your slides will likely have minimum text in order to communicate your message effectively. However, as with other assignment types you should provide in-text citations when paraphrasing or using direct quotes and reference any images or figures you include.  You will likely need to include a correctly formatted reference list or bibliography at the end of the PowerPoint presentation.     

The Referencing guides have in-text citation and reference list formats and include information and examples for referencing images and figures.    

For tips on creating an effective and engaging presentation check out Presentations – video, in-person, online .     

If you would like to learn more about referencing and assignment writing, you can join a Library workshop this trimester. If you need additional help with referencing you can request a consultation with a Librarian.    

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