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Speech Citation Information

 

Verbally documenting your sources of information gives your speech credibility. When mentioning facts, statistics, or testimony – you must reference not only the source itself, but background information for each source. Your speech should include the appropriate number of sources as outlined in your rubric, and be chosen based off the value it adds to your speech content.

 

When To Cite:

  • Word-for-word quotes
  • Paraphrasing: restating or summarizing ideas
  • Illustrations, diagrams, or graphs from another source

 

You do NOT need in the following situations:

  • Reporting your original ideas
  • Discussing common knowledge (ex: the earth revolves around the sun)

 

How to Cite Your Speech

  TYPE OF SOURCE   WHAT TO CITE, VERBALLY   EXAMPLE
  Journal   Name of publication   Communication Education
  Periodical   Name of Publication   Scientific American
  Book   Primary author’s name & title   Henry Kissinger – World Order
  Interview   Name of person & credentials   Bill Nye – Science Guy
  Website   Sponsor information   NASA

 

Additional tips:

  • Cite before stating the information. This will be useful in gaining credibility  and providing current information.
  • Vary the way that you introduce the source. Refrain by beginning each citation with “According to…”
  • Do not use secondary sources. A secondary source occurs when a speaker cites a source that is found within another source.
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