How to Cite a Speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard

A speech means a formal address or discourse delivered to a given audience. Basically, renowned people give their statements, which contain credible information for citations. In this case, scholars and researchers can cite reports from live or online speeches for a quotation. Moreover, most speakers put their presentations on websites, being scripts, voice recordings, or videos. Then, students should cite speech presentations in different referencing styles. For instance, one should mention the speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard formats. Also, these citation methods rely on various rules that govern the capitalization of words and punctuations. In turn, bibliographic entries for APA and Harvard referencing styles require the use of initials and sentence case when writing the title. Besides, MLA and Chicago/Turabian entries need one to use full speaker’s names and follow title case rules.

General Aspects of Citing a Speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard Formats

By considering a definition, a speech suggests a formal address or discourse that an individual delivers to an audience. In practice, prominent leaders and scholars give an address that focuses on specific topics, intending to inform the general audience on issues that affect their lives. Basically, outstanding speeches contain credible information that students can use for academic citations. Also, one can use the information contained in an address to support the main arguments in an essay. However, one must follow the necessary guidelines when citing a speech in different writing formats.

Live or Online Speech

One can use live or online speech for a citation. Basically, this type of speech is where one listens to a speaker addressing an audience. In this case, writers developing the quote listen to the speaker and take relevant notes. However, one can find presentations on various websites. Also, most speakers put their performances on sites to allow more people to access them effectively. In turn, such speeches may appear as recordings, PowerPoint presentations, or videos. Hence, one should cite each of these presentations differently.

APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard

Students should cite speech presentations in different referencing styles. For instance, writers should cite a speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard referencing styles in essays and research papers to support their arguments. Basically, these citation methods rely on various rules that govern the capitalization of words and punctuations. Moreover, the failure to follow specific regulations makes references less credible. In turn, the following guide provides accurate steps that one should follow in citing speech in different referencing styles.

How to Cite a Speech in APA

One should provide adequate bibliographic details for an individual presentation in a large symposium. Basically, some of the features include contributors, date of submission, the title of the speech, the conference or panel, and location. Also, the time of presentation should consist of day, month, and year. In some instances, speech presentations may have some descriptions. Moreover, one should include the necessary Description when developing the bibliographic entry. In turn, writers should identify all the speakers involved when they cite a speech. Therefore, a citation of a statement in APA should include adequate bibliographic details. 

The Title of the Speech

The title of the presentation should appear in sentence case, inside punctuation marks. For instance, writers should ensure that all words in the title start with small letters. In this case, the first word and the one following a colon should begin with a capital letter. Also, the title should appear in quotation marks and not be italicized or underlined. Therefore, the title of the speech should appear in sentence case, within punctuation marks.

Following Punctuation Marks

Writers should observe the correct punctuation marks when developing speech citations in APA. For instance, one should use a comma to separate the last name and the initial of the first name. Besides, a comma separates the title of the conference and the place of presentation. In this case, a period should follow the initial of the speaker’s name and the title of the speech. Moreover, the period after the title should appear inside the punctuation marks when someone cite a speech within essays and research papers. Hence, one must observe the right punctuation marks when developing the bibliographic entry of the speech.

Using the URL Link

The bibliographic entry of the speech found online should contain the correct URL link. Basically, one should copy the URL link from the website, including the presentation. In practice, one should find the URL link at the top of the web page. Also, website links should be the last item in bibliographic entries. In turn, one should not include a period after the bibliographic entry. Hence, one should include the URL link of the website that contains the speech.

How to Cite a Speech in MLA

The accurate bibliographic entry of the speech should contain the speaker’s name, title, and conference, and organization. Basically, writers should include the first name and surname of the speaker without using the initials. In this case, the title of the speech should appear within quotation marks. Also, one should ensure that the title of the specific conference or meeting follows the title. In some instances, students should include the speaker’s organization, the venue, and the city. Then, other essential details include descriptors that express the type of presentation cited. Besides, some common words include address, lecture, reading, keynote speech, guest lecture, and conference presentation. Hence, the MLA bibliographic entry of the speech should contain adequate details.

Title Case

Writers should use title case when writing the speech’s bibliographic entry in MLA. For example, the title case implies that all words, apart from conjunctions, should begin with a capital letter. In this case, the title enclosed in punctuation marks should not appear as italicized or underlined. Moreover, one should use the title case for the descriptors provided in the bibliographic entry. Besides, the title of the conference, the meeting of the symposium should follow a similar strategy. Therefore, one must observe the title case when writing the bibliographic entry of the speech in MLA.

Using Punctuation Marks

Writers should use the correct punctuation marks when writing the bibliographic entry of the speech in MLA. For instance, commas and periods are the two types of punctuation marks that one must use when developing the entry. Firstly, the period should appear between the speaker’s surname name, title, and conference or meeting. In this case, each entry should end with a period to follow the rules on how to cite a speech. Then, the comma should separate the speaker’s last and first names, the meeting title, the date, place, and city of publication. Hence, one must observe the right punctuation marks when developing the bibliographic entry of a speech.

Citing a Web Link

The bibliographic entry of the speech found online should contain a correct URL. For instance, one should find the URL from the top of the webpage containing the address. Basically, this information should appear as the last item in the bibliographic entry. In turn, the correct URL should lead interested readers to the website providing the cited information. Hence, one should include the URL link to cite a speech found online.

How to Cite a Speech in Chicago/Turabian

Writers should create bibliographic entries for different types of speech following the rules provided in the Chicago/Turabian manual. Basically, some examples of speeches include lectures, expositions at meetings sessions, and other similar presentations. In this case, entries of these sources should contain sponsorship, location, and date of the exhibition. Moreover, one should include more bibliographic entries for sources to be credible. Therefore, the bibliographic entry of a bibliographic reference must contain adequate details that enhance its credibility.

Following a Specific Order

The bibliographic entry of a speech in Chicago style must follow a specific order. Basically, the first piece should be the name of the speaker, which must appear in an inverted form. In practice, one should start with the speaker’s surname, followed by the first name. Moreover, the speech’s title must appear in the title case within quotation marks. Then, other important details on how to cite a speech that students need to follow include the medium of the address, location, and date. Hence, quality bibliographic entries of the speech in the Chicago/Turabian style must track specific order to enhance its quality.

Considering Punctuation Marks

Credible bibliographic entry in the Chicago/Turabian style should follow the right punctuation marks. For example, one must use commas and periods when writing the entry. In this case, students should place the punctuation marks where appropriate. Then, commas should separate the speaker’s names, the medium of the speech, location, and date. Also, the period separates the title of the address and the medium. In turn, the bibliographic entry ends with a period by considering how to cite a speech. Moreover, the period that follows the title should appear inside quotation marks. Hence, writers should use the right punctuation marks when developing the bibliographic entry.

Including the Link

Bibliographic entries of an online speech in the Chicago/Turabian referencing format should contain the correct URL. For instance, writers should obtain the exact URL from the top of the website that includes the address. Basically, this information should appear as the last item in the entry. In practice, a correct URL should lead readers to cited addresses. Hence, the bibliographic entry for speeches found online should include the correct URL.

How to Cite a Speech in Harvard

The bibliographic entry of the speech in the Harvard referencing style should contain accurate and detailed information. For example, some of the details that one should include in the listing include the speaker’s name, the year, the title of the speech, and the type of sources. In this case, one can find lectures in the form of a video, transcript, or PowerPoint. Then, other essential details include the date that one viewed the speech. Therefore, the bibliographic entry of the statement in the Harvard writing format should contain adequate and credible information.

Covering Punctuation Marks

The bibliographic entry of a speech in Harvard must contain the right punctuation marks. For instance, the Harvard style requires one to create a listing that does not have periods. In this case, one should use commas to separate all the details in the bibliographic entry, covering the rules on how to cite a speech. Then, one should use the comma to separate the last name and initials. However, one should not separate the initials of speakers if they are more than one. Hence, one should use the right punctuations when writing the bibliographic entry for a speech for the Harvard style.

Title Format

The title of the speech should appear in the right format. For instance, one should use the title case when writing the bibliographic entry. In this case, all the words in the title should start with a capital letter. Also, the heading of a broadcast speech should appear as italicized. However, the title of the speech should appear inside single punctuation marks. In turn, one should place the comma outside the single punctuation mark after the title. Besides, the failure to follow the correct format rules when writing the speech title in Harvard style can mislead readers. Hence, one must follow the right formatting when referencing the title for the speech.

The Citing Scheme of a Speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard Reference Styles

Scholars need to follow the right referencing formats when citing speeches to avoid possible cases of plagiarism. In most cases, students may not access the manual for different referencing styles. Hence, the following are the schemes that one should use to develop the citations.

1. APA 7 Structure:

• Speaker’s Last Name, Initial. (Year, Month Day). Title of the speech [Description of the Address]. Title of Speech/ Conference/ Meeting, Location.
• Speaker, A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the speech [Description of the statement]. Title of Speech/ Conference/ Meeting, Location. Retrieved from https://www.site.com

2. MLA 9 Structure:

• Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “The Title of the Speech.” Name of the Conference, Day Month Year, Location of the Conference, City of Presentation, IN. Type of Speech.
• Speaker’s First Name, Last Name. “The Title of the Speech.” Name of the Site, Day Month Year, www.site.com. Accessed Date.

3. Chicago/Turabian Structure:

• Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Medium at sponsorship, location, date.
• Speaker’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Lecture.” Medium at sponsorship, location, date, https://site.com.

4. Harvard Structure:

• Speaker’s Last Name, Initial Year, ‘Title of the Speech’, Type of the Speech, Year.
• Speaker’s Last Name, Initial Year, ‘Title of the Speech’, Type of the Speech, Year, viewed Day Month Year, <http://www.site.com>.

Examples of a Speech Reference for Citing in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard Writing Formats

1. APA 7 Samples:

• Joan, C. (2019, 5 April). How to get your brain to focus [Address]. TEDxManchester, Manchester.
• Joan, C. (2019, 5 April). How to get your brain to focus [Address]. TEDxManchester, Manchester, U.K. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y

2. MLA 9 Samples:

• Stein, Billy. “Conserving the Environment in the Twenty-First Century.” Discovering and Promoting Sustainability, Nature Conservation Conference, 23 May 2003, Union Club Hotel, West Lafayette, IN. Keynote Address.
• Thunberg, Greta. “Thunberg’s Full Speech to World Leaders at UN Climate Action Summit.” YouTube, 23 September 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU. Accessed 3 June 2020.

3. Chicago/Turabian Samples:

• John, Billy. “The Most Effective Ways that People can Use to Conserve the Environment in the Twenty-First Century.” Speech presented at the Annual Convention of the Conference on Environmental Sustainability, San Francisco, CA, March 2009.
• Thunberg, Greta. “Thunberg’s Full Speech to World Leaders at UN Climate Action Summit.” YouTube Video. YouTube, 23 September 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU.

4. Harvard Samples:

• Thunberg, G 2019, Thunberg’s full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit, YouTube.
• Obama, B 2012, ‘Address to America Israel Public Affairs Committee’, transcript, The Guardian, 4 March, viewed 22 May 2012, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/04/obama-aipac-speech-read-text>.

Citing a Transcript of a Speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard

One may find the transcript of the text by famous individuals like Martin Luther King, Jr. to cite a speech in essays and research papers. Hence, the following are the guidelines for writing the bibliographic entries in different formats.

1. APA 7 Reference Example:

• Luther, M. (1963). I have a dream [Script]. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Retrieved from https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom

2. MLA 9 Example of the Citation Entry for Works Cited:

• Luther, Martin. “I Have a Dream.” Standford University, 1963, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom. Accessed 3 June 2020.

3. Example of the Chicago/Turabian Bibliography Entry:

• Luther, Martin. “I Have a Dream.” Script. Presented on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, 1963. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom.

4. Example of a Reference Entry in Harvard:

• Luther, M 1963, ‘I have a dream’, viewed 22 July 2020, <https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom>.

Summing Up on How to Cite a Speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard Referencing Styles

Speech writing refers to a formal address or discourse that an individual delivers to an audience. Basically, renowned individuals give their statements, which contain credible information for citations. In this case, a writer can cite reports from live or online speech for a quotation. Also, a live speech is where one listens to a speaker addressing an audience. Then, most speakers put their presentations on websites to allow more people to access them effectively. As a result, such declarations exist as scripts, voice recordings, or videos. In turn, one should recall the following points when developing bibliographic entries for speech sources.

• Students should cite speech presentations in different referencing styles. For instance, one should mention the speech in APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard writing formats.
• Citation methods rely on different rules that govern the capitalization of words and punctuations.
• The failure to follow specific rules makes speech references less credible.
• One should use initials in APA and Harvard and full speaker’s names in MLA and Chicago/Turabian.
• The speech title should appear in the title case in MLA and Chicago/Turabian styles and follow the sentence case for APA and Harvard formats.