So You Need to Cite a PowerPoint Presentation in Chicago Style? Don't Freak Out, It's Not Brain Surgery (Unless You're Citing a PowerPoint on Brain Surgery)
Let's face it, citations can be a total drag. Especially when you're staring down a presentation that looks more like a seizure-inducing light show than an academic source. But fear not, intrepid researcher! Citing PowerPoint slides in Chicago style isn't a recipe for disaster, it's more like a walk in the park...unless that park is full of rabid squirrels with a vendetta against proper referencing.
Step 1: Identify Your PowerPoint Party Animal (a.k.a. The Author)
First things first, you gotta figure out who cooked up this digital masterpiece. Was it your esteemed Professor PowerPoint, a fellow classmate, or some internet guru dispensing wisdom through slides? Bold the name of this brave presenter, because they deserve recognition (and maybe a participation trophy for surviving the ordeal of creating a PowerPoint).
Step 2: Decipher the Title, Detective!
Now, for the million-dollar question: what exactly is this presentation called? Don't be fooled by flashy graphics and clipart explosions. Look for the actual title, you know, the words that hopefully sum up the entire presentation. Put those words in quotation marks, because hey, it's not your title, you're just borrowing it (with proper credit, of course).
Step 3: Setting the Scene: When and Where Did This PowerPoint Premiere?
Imagine the presentation as a theatrical performance. Where did it take place? Was it a stuffy lecture hall or a trendy co-working space? Chicago style wants to know the location (city and state is fine) and the date of the presentation. Think of it as setting the stage for your citation.
Bonus points if you can include the specific event name (like a conference or class). Just sayin', that extra detail makes you look like a real citation superstar.
Step 4: Putting It All Together: The Citation Symphony
Now that you've gathered your intel, it's time to craft the citation itself. Here's the basic format:
Author Last Name, First Name. "Presentation Title." Lecture, Location, Month Day, Year.
For example, let's say you're citing a presentation by Dr.Hilarious McSlideyPants titled "The Hilarious History of PowerPoints." Here's your citation:
McSlideyPants, Hilarious. "The Hilarious History of PowerPoints." Lecture, Anytown, CA, March 14, 2024.
Ta-da! You've just wrangled a PowerPoint citation into Chicago style submission. High five yourself, because you deserve it.
In-Text Citations: The Art of the Sneaky Slide Reference
Let's say you want to reference a specific point from slide 17 of Dr. McSlideyPants' presentation. Here's how to do an in-text citation:
(McSlideyPants, 2024, slide 17)
Remember, slide numbers are your friends in Chicago style. They help your reader pinpoint exactly where you found that nugget of information.
But Wait, There's More! (Because There Usually Is)
What if the presentation is online? No sweat! Just chuck the URL at the end of your citation, like this:
McSlideyPants, Hilarious. "The Hilarious History of PowerPoints." Lecture, Anytown, CA, March 14, 2024. https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/chicago-turabian/
Now, go forth and conquer those PowerPoint citations! Remember, a little humor and a dash of understanding can make even the trickiest citation styles a breeze. Just don't get too distracted by the dancing cat gifs on slide 23 (unless, of course, they're relevant to your research).
