It’s common for instructors to use slideshow presentations during class lectures. It’s acceptable to use lectures as a cited source. However, it’s best to use them sparingly. Instead, find peer-reviewed journal articles or books by authoritative sources to back up your research. One way to use PowerPoint slideshow presentations in your Chicago paper is to review the bibliography for the lecture. This helps you evaluate whether it’s a good source for your paper. It also leads you to relevant sources on the topic.
Citing a PowerPoint Presentation: Chicago Author-Date
As with other cited sources in Chicago author-date style, start with the last name, first name of the author, the date, and the title of the lecture. Here is the format for a lecture presentation.
Rivera, Terry. 2018. “Understanding Global Economic Trade Issues.” PowerPoint presentation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, May 26, 2018.
If you accessed it online, include the URL or DOI.
Citing a PowerPoint Presentation: Chicago Notes-Biblio
When you source a PowerPoint presentation in Chicago notes-biblio, you treat it the same way as a lecture. Add the URL or DOI, if you accessed the presentation online. Some instructors may require only notes for lectures and presentations. Bibliographic entries may not be needed. Review your assignment rubric or ask your teacher.
Notes Citation
Notes citations are included as a footnote or endnote.
Format
1 First name Last name of professor, “Title or Subject of the Lecture” (class lecture, Course Name, College Name, Location, Date).
Example
1 Terry Rivera, “Understanding Global Economic Trade Issues” (PowerPoint presentation, Economics 101, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, May 26, 2018).
Bibliography Citation
The bibliography citation is included in the final bibliography you’ve created for your school report.
Rivera, Terry. “Understanding Global Economic Trade Issues.” PowerPoint presentation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, May 26, 2018.
Again, remember that if you accessed it online, include the URL or DOI.
Chicago/Turabian Style
Chicago/Turabian style has two ways of citing sources. One is the author-date style, which uses a reference list rather than a bibliography. The other is the notes-biblio style, which incorporates footnotes and/or endnotes in the paper. Turabian is the student version of Chicago citation style.
In high school essays, you will likely use MLA style; however, at times, your teacher may ask you to use Chicago/Turabian style. Most likely, it will be the author-date style, as that is easier to use.
PowerPoint presentations are a good way to find additional sources. As with any research project, the author must cite accurate and authoritative sources. Check out the final slide of the presentation for the references or bibliography.