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How to Cite Primary Sources: Speeches and oral histories

This guide will outline how to cite a variety of primary sources in APA, MLA, and Chicago formats

Speeches

APA

To cite a speech in APA format, cite the source of the speech according to its own citation format. This can mean citing a book the speech is transcribed in, a video of the speech, and any other source of the speech.

Chicago Style

To cite a speech in Chicago style, include the following information: Last and First name of speaker, title of speech, date given, relevant access information (the title, author, and publication information of the book it is transcribed in, the website information and URL if found online, the film information if seen in a film, etc.) Use the following structure: Last, First. "Title." Date. Access information. 

For example: Hoverson, Doug. "Speech at Milwaukee Brewers Lunch." 2015. In American Brewers Speeches 1995-2015, edited by Lisa Rankin. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, 2016. 

For an online resource or website, here is an example: Powell, Richard. "Speech." 1963. Manuscript Collection, Huntington Library. https://calisphere.org/item/8c66073173ccdbe23b2d83d951dcadf1/. Date of Access 24-10-2024. 

MLA 

To cite a speech in MLA format, include the following information: Last and First of the speaker, title of speech, event information (including the title of the conference given at, if necessary), date, location. Access information will be required as well if not heard in person. Use the following structure: Last, First. "Title." Event name, Date, location. Access information. 

For example: Hoverson, Doug. "Speech at Milwaukee Brewers Lunch." Milwaukee Brewers Lunch, 2015, Milwaukee, WI. 

For an online resource or website, here is an example: Powell, Richard. "Speech." 1963. https://calisphere.org/item/8c66073173ccdbe23b2d83d951dcadf1/. Date of Access 24-10-2024. 

 

Oral History

APA

To cite an oral history interview in APA format, include the following information: Last and first name of the interviewee, date of the interview, first initial and last name of interviewer, project title, project sponsor, and organization with city location. Use the following structure: Last, F. (Date). Interview by Last, F. Project title. Project sponsor. Organization, location. 

For example: Rankin, L. (1997). Interview by Sanchez, R. Urbana Baking Club Oral History. University Archives. University of Illinois, Urbana, IL. 

For a digital resource or website, here is an example: Fuentes, C. Bracero History Archive. Accessed October 24, 2024, https://braceroarchive.org/items/show/3306

Chicago Style

To cite an oral history interview in Chicago Style, include the following information: Title of interview, last and first name of interviewer, title of publication or website accessed from, date of publication, medium, URL if needed, access date. Use the following structure: "Title" by First Last. Title of publication or website. Date. URL. 

For example: "Interview with Laurie Rankin" by Richard Sanchez. Urbana Baking Club Oral History. 29 March, 1997. 

For a digital resource or website, here is an example: "Carranco Fuentes." Bracero History Archive. Accessed October 24, 2024, https://braceroarchive.org/items/show/3306

MLA

To cite an oral history interview in MLA, include the following information: Interviewee last and first name, title of interview, name of interviewer, publisher, date, URL if necessary, and the date of access. Use the following structure: Last, First. "Title." By First Last. Date. Publisher. Date of Access. 

For example: Rankin, Laurie. "Interview with Laurie Rankin." By Richard Sanchez. 1997. Urbana Baking Club Oral History. URL. Accessed 10 October, 2024. 

For a digital resource or website, here is an example: Fuentes, Carranco. "Carranco Fuentes." Bracero History Archive. accessed October 24, 2024, https://braceroarchive.org/items/show/3306