To cite a lecture in APA style, the approach depends on how you accessed the
lecture: 1. Citing an in-person lecture (not recorded or publicly
accessible):
APA does not require a reference list entry because the lecture is considered
personal communication. Instead, cite it only in-text as follows:
(Initial(s). Last Name, personal communication, Month Day, Year)
Example: (J. Smith, personal communication, March 15, 2024)
. 2. Citing a recorded or publicly accessible lecture or speech:
Provide a full reference entry and in-text citation. The general format is:
Reference list:
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of lecture [Format].
Institution or Website Name. URL (if applicable)
Example:
Obama, B. (2009, January 20). What is required: The price and promise of
citizenship [Speech audio recording]. American Rhetoric.
[https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barackobama/barackobamainauguraladdress.htm1].
In-text citation:
(Obama, 2009) or (Obama, 7:15) if citing a specific timestamp
. 3. Citing lecture slides or notes available online:
Format:
Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title of presentation [PowerPoint slides].
Website or Course platform. URL
Example:
Smith, G. (2019). Ownership structures in mass communications [PowerPoint
slides]. SlideShare. [https://www.slideshare.net/hellojenjones/guided-reading-
making-the-most-of-it[3](https://www.slideshare.net/hellojenjones/guided-
reading-making-the-most-of-it%5B3)]. In-text citation:
(Smith, 2019, slide 6)
Summary Table for APA Lecture Citation
Type of Lecture Material| Reference List Entry Required?| Format Example| In-
text Citation Example
---|---|---|---
In-person lecture (not recorded)| No| N/A| (J. Smith, personal communication,
3/15/2024)
Recorded/public lecture or speech| Yes| Last, F. M. (Year, Month Day). Title
[Format]. Institution/Website. URL| (Last, Year) or (Last, timestamp)
Lecture slides (online)| Yes| Last, F. M. (Year). Title [PowerPoint slides].
Website. URL| (Last, Year, slide #)
This method ensures your citations follow APA 7th edition guidelines accurately
