6.6: Citing Sources
- Page ID
- 313595
This page is a draft and is under active development.
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Why Citing Sources Is Essential
Citing sources is a crucial part of responsible and ethical research. When you use information, ideas, statistics, or quotations from others, you must give proper credit to the original authors. Citations show your audience where your evidence comes from, allowing them to check the accuracy of your information and trust the claims you make. In public speaking, citing sources verbally and in written outlines strengthens your credibility, demonstrates academic honesty, and shows that your ideas are supported by reliable research rather than personal opinion alone.
Citing sources also protects you from plagiarism, using someone else's work without acknowledgment which is a serious academic violation. Beyond avoiding penalties, proper citation helps you become a more transparent and trustworthy communicator. It allows your audience to see the depth of your research and understand that your message is built on evidence, not assumptions. When you cite sources, you show respect for the work of others and contribute to a culture of integrity in academic and professional communication.
How to Cite Sources in Your Outline
In your speech outline, citations should be written in APA-style parenthetical references or as full references in a reference list at the end. In the body of the outline, include enough information for your instructor (and you) to know exactly where your evidence came from. This usually includes the author’s last name, the year, and sometimes the title if needed for clarity.
How to Cite in the Body of the Outline
- Place the citation at the end of the sentence where you used the information.
- Keep it brief, APA style is standard for public speaking classes.
Examples:
- College students with a budget are more likely to feel in control of their finances (Smith, 2022).
- Emergency savings can reduce stress and improve academic performance (U.S. Department of Education, 2023).
- Influencer-driven marketing increases impulse spending among young adults (Nguyen, 2021).
How to Cite in the Reference List (end of outline)
Include the complete APA citation.
Examples:
- Smith, J. (2022). Financial literacy among first-year students. Journal of College Finance, 18(2), 45–59.
- U.S. Department of Education. (2023). Financial wellness and academic performance report. https://www.ed.gov/financialwellness
- Nguyen, L. (2021). The psychology of impulse buying in Gen Z. Marketing Insights Press.
How to Cite Sources in Your Presentation (Verbal Citations)
When speaking, you won’t read APA citations aloud. Instead, you give the audience the key information they need to know the source is credible:
- Author or organization
- Date
- Type of source or publication
- Relevance to your point
A verbal citation should sound natural, conversational, and informative not like reading a bibliography.
Examples of Verbal Citations
- “According to a 2022 study by financial researcher Jessica Smith…”
- “The U.S. Department of Education reported in 2023 that students with emergency savings experience lower stress levels.”
- “A 2021 article in Marketing Insights Press by psychologist Linh Nguyen explains how social media increases impulse buying.”
How to Put Together a Reference or Bibliography Sheet
Putting together a reference sheet is simple if you follow consistent steps and gather all necessary information as you research.
Collect full source information as you go: Write down the author, title, date, publisher, URL (if online), and other details each time you use a source. This prevents mistakes later and ensures accurate citations.
Format your references in APA style. APA is the most common style used for public speaking classes. Each entry should include:
- Author(s)
- Year of publication
- Title of the work
- Source type (journal, website, book, etc.)
- Publisher or URL
List sources alphabetically, Arrange all entries by the first author's last name. If no author is listed, alphabetize by the organization or the title of the work.
Include only sources you actually used. If you read something but did not use it for evidence, it does not belong on your reference sheet.
Match your reference sheet with your outline. Every in-text citation or verbal reference in your outline should appear on your reference page and nothing extra.
Use proper formatting. APA reference lists use hanging indents and double spacing. Your instructor may have a preferred format, so follow the assignment guidelines carefully.
Example (APA Style Reference Entries)
- Smith, J. (2022). Financial habits of first-year college students. Journal of Student Finance, 14(3), 112–125.
- U.S. Department of Education. (2023). Student budgeting and academic performance report. https://www.ed.gov/budgetstudy
- Nguyen, L. (2021). Impulse buying among young adults. Marketing Research Group.
How to Cite Sources on Visual Slides
When using visuals in a presentation, such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva, it’s important to cite your sources so your audience knows where your information, images, or statistics came from. Visual citations should be brief, readable, and placed neatly on the slide, usually at the bottom in smaller text. They do not need to follow full APA format because that would overwhelm the slide. Instead, keep them short but identifiable.
How to Cite on a Slide (Short-Form Citation)
A short citation includes the author or organization and the year, enough to connect the slide to your full reference list at the end.
Examples:
- Source: Smith, 2022
- Data from U.S. Department of Education, 2023
- Image: CDC, 2021
- Chart adapted from Lee & Carter, 2020
Tips for Citing on Slides
- Keep citations small but readable (e.g., 10–12 pt font).
- Place them in a consistent location, usually bottom-left or bottom-right.
- If multiple items on the slide come from different sources, list them separated by commas or on separate lines.
- For images, always include a source, even for free-use images (e.g., Unsplash, Pixabay).
How to Create a Reference Slide
A reference slide (or slides) appears at the end of your presentation and includes full APA citations for every source you used in your research, visuals, and evidence. This functions like a bibliography and shows your instructor and audience that your work is supported by credible sources.
Steps for Creating a Reference Slide
- Title the slide “References” or “Sources.”
- List your sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name or organization.
- Use full APA format exactly as you would on a written reference page.
- Use a readable font size, usually 18–24 pt, depending on the amount of content.
- If you have many sources, create multiple reference slides rather than crowding one.
Example Reference Slide (APA Style)
References
- Smith, J. (2022). Financial habits of first-year students. Journal of College Finance, 14(3), 112–125.
- U.S. Department of Education. (2023). Student budgeting report. https://www.ed.gov/budgetstudy
- Nguyen, L. (2021). Impulse buying among young adults. Marketing Research Group.
Image Reference Slide Example
Image Sources
- CDC. (2021). Healthy habits infographic. https://www.cdc.gov
- Unsplash. (2023). Student budgeting photo by M. Green. https://unsplash.com
Example 1: College Student Presenting
Ari is giving an informative speech about the benefits of emergency savings for college students. On one of her PowerPoint slides, she presents a chart showing that students with at least $500 saved report lower stress levels. To cite her source, she places a short citation in the bottom-right corner of the slide: Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2023. At the end of her presentation, she includes a full reference slide listing the complete APA citation for that report along with all other sources used in her research. This process shows her instructor that her data is credible and properly documented.
Example 2: Professional Business Presentation
Daniel, a financial analyst, is presenting a proposal to company executives about shifting budget priorities. One of his slides includes a graph adapted from a market research firm’s 2024 industry report. To avoid copyright and credibility issues, he adds a small citation at the bottom of the slide: Data adapted from Gartner Research, 2024. His final slide deck ends with two reference slides that list all full citations in APA format, including the Gartner report, government financial forecasts, and internal company data. By citing his sources clearly, Daniel strengthens his professional credibility and ensures his recommendations are supported by transparent, verifiable information.
Key Takeaways
- Citing sources in both your outline and your presentation strengthens your credibility by showing your audience exactly where your information and evidence come from.
- Verbal and slide citations should be brief and clear, while full APA citations belong on a reference sheet or reference slide at the end of your presentation.
- Using proper citations demonstrates academic honesty, avoids plagiarism, and ensures that your speech is grounded in reliable, transparent research.
Exercises
- Verbal Citation Practice: Choose one source and practice turning the full APA citation into a natural-sounding verbal citation you could use during a speech.
- Slide Citation Activity: Create one sample PowerPoint slide with an image, statistic, or chart and include a correct short-form citation placed neatly on the slide.
- Reference Page Check: Provide students with five sample sources and ask them to create a complete APA reference slide, then trade with a partner to check for formatting accuracy.