How to Cite a Lecture or Presentation in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a lecture or presentation citation in MLA 9th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a lecture or presentation in MLA 9th Edition:

Template

Speaker Last, First. "Title of Lecture." Event or Course Name, Institution, Day Month Year. Lecture.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Chomsky)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

Chomsky, Noam. "Language and the Cognitive Revolution." Linguistics 101, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 14 Sept. 2022. Lecture.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Name the speaker
List the speaker in Last, First format.
2
Add the lecture title
Place the lecture title in quotation marks using title case. If there is no title, provide a brief description without quotation marks (e.g., Guest lecture).
3
Include the event or course
Write the course name, conference, or event. Do not italicize.
4
Add the institution and date
Include the institution or venue name, followed by a comma and the date in Day Month Year format.
5
End with the format label
Close the entry with "Lecture." as the medium descriptor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to include "Lecture." as a descriptive label at the end.
Omitting the institution or venue where the lecture was delivered.
Not placing the lecture title in quotation marks.
Using an incorrect date format instead of Day Month Year.
Confusing the course name with the lecture title.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the lecture was delivered online?

Include the URL or platform at the end before the format label, or note that it was an online lecture: Chomsky, Noam. "Language and the Cognitive Revolution." Linguistics 101, MIT, 14 Sept. 2022. Zoom lecture.

How do I cite a guest lecture with no formal title?

Use a brief description in place of the title without quotation marks: Chomsky, Noam. Guest lecture. Linguistics 101, MIT, 14 Sept. 2022. Lecture.

Can I cite lecture slides or handouts separately?

Yes. Cite the materials as a separate source, describing the format: Chomsky, Noam. "Language and the Cognitive Revolution." Linguistics 101, MIT, 14 Sept. 2022. Lecture slides.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your lecture or presentation:

Speaker
Title
Event/Course
Institution
Date
Location

Generate citations automatically with CiteDash

Stop formatting citations by hand. CiteDash automatically generates accurate MLA 9th Edition citations for all your sources while you research and write.

Start Free Trial More MLA 9th Edition Guides

Step-by-Step Guide

Name the speaker

List the speaker in Last, First format.

Add the lecture title

Place the lecture title in quotation marks using title case. If there is no title, provide a brief description without quotation marks (e.g., Guest lecture).

Include the event or course

Write the course name, conference, or event. Do not italicize.

Add the institution and date

Include the institution or venue name, followed by a comma and the date in Day Month Year format.

End with the format label

Close the entry with "Lecture." as the medium descriptor.