MLA 9 Citation Generator for Lectures and PowerPoints
Cite class lectures, recorded talks, and PowerPoint slides in MLA 9 format. Unlike APA, MLA includes in-person lectures in the Works Cited list.
Search will start automatically once loaded…
MLA 9 Format for Lectures and Slides
YouTube / online lecture:
University-hosted recorded lecture:
In-person class lecture:
PowerPoint slides (online):
MLA 9 Lecture Citation Examples
YouTube lecture
Paste the YouTube URL
Recorded university lecture (with URL)
University hosts the recording
In-class lecture (in-person)
Include course, date, and physical location
PowerPoint slides (retrievable online)
Italicize title when standalone; include URL
MLA vs. APA for Lectures
A key difference that trips up students: MLA 9 includes in-person class lectures in the Works Cited; APA 7 treats them as personal communication (in-text only, no reference entry). Use MLA 9 rules here; use the APA lecture page for APA.
MLA 9 (this page)
All lectures — in-person, recorded, online — get a full Works Cited entry.
APA 7
Only publicly retrievable lectures in the reference list. In-class/closed LMS = personal communication. See APA rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cite a lecture in MLA 9?
MLA 9 template: Speaker Last, First. "Title of the Lecture." Course Name or Event, Date, Location. OR for recorded/online: Speaker Last, First. "Title." Container (YouTube, University), Date, URL. MLA 9 treats in-person and online lectures differently — in-person gets location, online gets container + URL.
How do I cite a YouTube lecture in MLA 9?
Template: Speaker Last, First. "Title of the Lecture." YouTube, uploaded by Channel Name, Day Month Year, URL. Example: Lastname, Firstname. "Title of the Lecture." YouTube, uploaded by University Channel, 15 Mar. 2024, youtube.com/watch?v=exampleID. The "uploaded by" element credits the channel when different from the speaker.
How do I cite a PowerPoint in MLA 9?
Template for publicly retrievable slides: Author Last, First. Title of Slides. Course Name or Site Name, Date, URL. MLA 9 treats slide decks as unpublished manuscripts when only shared in class and as digital works with URL when public. Italicize the title when it stands alone as a work.
Do I put an in-class lecture in the Works Cited?
Yes, unlike APA. MLA 9 includes in-person class lectures in the Works Cited list. Template: Speaker Last, First. "Title of the Lecture." Course Name, Date, Location (room or venue). This differs from APA 7, which treats non-retrievable lectures as personal communication (no reference entry).
How do I cite a lecture with no title?
Use a descriptor in place of the title: [Lecture on topic] or [Class lecture]. Example: Lastname, Firstname. [Class lecture on 19th-century poetry]. Course Name, Date, Location. The bracket signals that the descriptor is your own, not an official title.
What goes in the in-text citation for a lecture?
MLA uses author-page format by default, but lectures typically have no pages. Cite just the author last name: (Lastname). Or narrative: "Lastname argues that...". If the lecture has a title and is included in Works Cited, the in-text matches the first element of the entry.
How do I cite class discussion or group conversation?
MLA does not formally cite class discussions or group conversations — they're typically cited only if a specific person made a specific claim you're quoting. Format as: Lastname, Firstname. [Class discussion on topic]. Course Name, University, Date. Use sparingly; this is not an authoritative source.
Cite Other Source Types in MLA 9
Cite a Lecture in MLA 9
Paste a YouTube URL, university lecture link, or slide deck — your MLA 9 citation is ready.
Get Started Free