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How to Cite Sources in a PowerPoint: A Comprehensive Guide

October 26, 2023 2.0K views

For students, researchers, professionals and all the users, citing PowerPoint presentations is critical. It exhibits and shows academic honesty and acknowledges the original sources of the information you use. This article includes simple guidelines for appropriately citing PowerPoint presentations in different styles such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. It also offers a hint on how to modify and update presentation citations.

Part 1: What Is In-Text Citation? (APA, MLA, Chicago Style)

Before going into how to cite sources in powerpoint, first we should know what it is citing all about.

  1. Basics of In-Text Citation

Citation Styles

Nowadays, people can now obtain information and data they need from a variety of sources. In-text citations are references to sources within the body of a document that are often used in academic or scholarly writing.

The three major and most used citation styles are APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago. Each style has its own framework for citing sources. So it is critical to be familiar with the style that is required for your specific assignment or publication.

Here are some examples of in-text citations in each of the three major citation styles:

APA Style:
APA style is the most commonly used citation style in the social sciences

Example of APA Style citation

MLA style:

MLA style is the most commonly used citation style in the humanities.

Example of MLA Style citation

Chicago style:

Chicago style is the most commonly used citation style in history, literature, and the fine arts.

Example of Chicago Style citation

  1. Importance of In-Text Citation

What are the benefits of citing and why is in-text citation important? In-text citation is important for several reasons:

  • Academic Integrity

Citation showing the principles of academic honesty and intellectual integrity by giving credit to the original authors or creators.

  • Credibility

It shows that your own work is credible by proving that it has been thoroughly researched and is supported by credible sources. They demonstrate how well-researched sources back up your claims and arguments.

  • Avoiding Plagiarism

In-text citations help in avoiding plagiarism, which is the unethical act of using someone else's work without acknowledgment.

  • Verifiability

In-text citations enable readers to trace back to the original sources, making it easier for them to verify the information you've presented. This will also increase the credibility of your work.

Part 2: How to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in APA, MLA, or Chicago

Citing a PowerPoint presentation in academic or professional work is crucial to acknowledge the source of information. Follow these steps to ensure you do it correctly, and consider using reference management tools like EasyBib for assistance.

Step 1: Determine the Citation Style

3 types of citations

Identify the citation style you need to use, whether it's APA, MLA, or Chicago. This choice will dictate how you format your citations.

Step 2: Gather general Presentation or sources information

General information for citing

Collect all the essential information about the PowerPoint presentation. The author's name, title of the presentation, date it was created, and the URL (if applicable).

Step 3: Cite in APA Style

For APA style, format your citation like this:

  • Author's Last Name, First Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of Presentation [PowerPoint slides]. Name of Website. URL

APA Style citation

Step 4: Cite in MLA Style

For MLA style, format your citation like this:

  • Author last name, first name. "Title of Presentation." Department Name, University Name, Location, Month Day, Year. Web.

MLA Style citation

Step 5: Cite in Chicago Style

For Chicago style, format your citation like this:

  • Author last name, first name. "Title of Presentation." Lecture, Department Name, University Name, Location, Month Day, Year.

Chicago Style citation

How to Edit and Update Citations

Always remember to keep track of any changes to your sources so that you can update or edit the citations in your presentation. Make sure you update the citations in line with any changes you make to the content. With just a few clicks, reference management tools enable you to update your citations, which can help automate this process.

Why Choose WPS Office

WPS Office

WPS Office

WPS Office is an essential software tool for creating and checking PowerPoint presentations. WPS supports opening PowerPoint documents and offers a range of features and benefits for creating and editing presentations. Here are some of the features and benefits of using WPS Office Presentation:

Free download and free to use Word, Excel, and PPT: WPS Office is completely free to use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.

● Powerful PDF toolkit: WPS Office includes a powerful PDF toolkit that allows users to create, edit, and convert PDF files.

Rich template store: WPS Office has a rich template store with over 10,000 templates to choose from, including a variety of scheduling templates.

● Rich functions: WPS Office offers a wide range of features and functions, including the ability to collaborate with others online and to create and edit documents on the go.

● Light weight: WPS Office is a lightweight application that takes up very little space on your computer.

● Support online documents: WPS Office allows users to save and access documents online, making it easy to collaborate with others and to access your files from anywhere.

● Safe and stable: WPS Office is a safe and stable application that has been used by millions of people around the world.

Steps to edit Powerpoint in WPS:

Step 1: Download and install WPS Office

Download WPS Office

Step 2: Open WPS Presentation (PowerPoint)

Open Powerpoint

Step 3:

To edit a PowerPoint presentation: use the toolbar to add slides, text, images, and other objects.

Use Toolbar to edit PP

Use Toolbar to edit PP

Step 4:  Save Your Changes:

After making edits, click on "File" -> Choose "Save" to overwrite the existing file or "Save As" to create a new version.

 Save your change

Save your change

Step 5: Close the Document:

When you're done editing, click on the "X" button in the top-right corner to close the document

 Save your change

Save your change

Save your change

Step 6: Exit WPS Office:  

Click on "File." -> Select "Exit" to close the application.

Congratulations! You've successfully edited PowerPoint documents using WPS Office.

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FAQs

Q1: How do you write a reference list in PPT?

To create a reference list in PowerPoint:

a. Choose a citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

b. Collect source information.

c. Create a new slide for your reference list.

d. Format it according to the chosen style.

e. List your sources with full details.

f. Ensure in-text citations match your reference list.

Q2: How do you in text cite a website in PowerPoint?

In-text citations for websites in a PowerPoint presentation:

a. Include the author's last name and publication date, e.g., (Smith, 2022).

b. If no author, use the title or organization name, e.g., ("Website Title," 2022).

c. If no publication date, use "n.d."

d. Add page numbers if quoting directly.

Q3: How do you format citations for books in PowerPoint?

To format citations for books in PowerPoint, follow these guidelines:

  • In-text citation: Include the author's last name and the publication year in parentheses, e.g., (Smith, 2022).

  • Reference list: List the book's citation details, including the author(s), book title in italics, publication date in parentheses, publisher, and page numbers (if applicable). Follow the specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) for formatting details.

Q4: Can you use footnotes for citations in a PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, you can use footnotes for citations in a PowerPoint presentation. To do so:

  • Insert a footnote on the slide where you want to provide additional citation information.

  • Include the full citation details in the footnote, including the author, publication date, title, and any other relevant information.

  • Make sure to format the footnote according to the chosen citation style.

Q5: How can you avoid plagiarism in a PowerPoint presentation?

To avoid plagiarism in a PowerPoint presentation:

  • Properly cite all sources you use, including text, images, and data.

  • Use quotation marks for direct quotes and provide in-text citations.

  • Paraphrase information from sources while still citing them.

  • Create a thorough reference list at the end of your presentation.

  • Follow your institution's or publication's guidelines for proper citation.

Summary:

This comprehensive guide covers citing sources in PowerPoint presentations, emphasizing the importance of proper citations and the use of in-text citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. In-text citations are crucial for maintaining academic integrity, credibility, and avoiding plagiarism.

To cite a PowerPoint presentation correctly, select the appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago), gather essential information like author, title, date, and URL, and apply the specific citation format. It's essential to update citations when source details change, and reference management tools can facilitate this process. WPS Office, a useful tool for creating and editing presentations, offers a range of features, including a powerful PDF toolkit, templates, collaboration options, and safety and stability.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.