So You Heard a Speech and Now You Need to Cite It? Don't Freak Out, It's Not Brain Surgery (Unless the Speech Was About Brain Surgery)
Let's face it, attending a speech can be a whirlwind. You're there, notepad in hand (or maybe furiously typing on your phone like a millennial under duress), trying to absorb every nugget of wisdom. But then comes the assignment: cite the darn speech in Chicago style. Cue the forehead sweat.
Fear not, fellow word warriors! Citing a speech in Chicago style isn't rocket science (although if the speech was about astrophysics, that might be a different story). This guide will have you navigating the bibliography jungle with the grace of a jaguar (because who wants to be a bumbling baboon in this situation?).
First Things First: You've Got the Goods, Now Get the Details
Here's the intel you need to gather before you craft your citation masterpiece:
- The Speaker: Who graced you with their oratory skills? Get their full name (first and last, unless you're on a first-name basis with a celebrity).
- The Speech Title: Did the speech have a catchy title, or was it more like "Tuesday Afternoon Musings"? Snag that title, no matter how long-winded.
- The Venue: Where did the magic happen? Was it a fancy conference hall or your grandma's living room (hey, some of the best speeches are impromptu!)
- The Date: This one's a no-brainer. When did the speech take place? Brush up on your time travel skills if it's from the future (although citing a speech from the future might be a different kind of challenge entirely).
Bonus points if you can snag:
- The Event Name: Was the speech part of a larger conference or gathering? This extra detail can add some polish to your citation.
Building Your Citation: Here's the Fun Part (Maybe)
Now that you're armed with information, let's construct that citation! Here's the basic format for a Chicago speech citation:
Speaker's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech." Lecture Type at Venue, Location, Month Day, Year.
For example, if you heard a speech by the amazing Dr. Jane Goodall titled "Chimpanzees: Our Furry Cousins" at a conservation conference, your citation would look like this:
Goodall, Jane. "Chimpanzees: Our Furry Cousins." Lecture at Conservation International Conference, San Francisco, CA, April 15, 2024.
Easy, right? Almost! There are a few twists and turns to consider:
- Shorten Long Titles: If the speech title is longer than four words, shorten it using ellipses (...) after the fourth word.
- Missing Information: Sometimes, you might not have all the details. If the venue or event name is missing, just omit it from your citation.
Feeling Fancy? Take it Up a Notch!
For those who like to add a little pizazz, Chicago style allows you to include additional information in your citation, like:
- Published Transcript: If the speech is available online as a transcript, you can add the URL after the date.
- Published Source: Was the speech published in a book or collection? You can include this information after the date, following the format for citing a book chapter.
That's a Wrap! You're Basically a Chicago Style Ninja Now
So there you have it! With this knowledge in your arsenal, you can conquer any speech citation that comes your way. Remember, the key is to gather the details, follow the format, and don't be afraid to add a little extra information if you've got it. Now go forth and impress your teacher (or whoever assigned you this citation) with your newfound Chicago style mastery!
