Citing a Presentation

Are there any recommendations for citing a presentation, i.e. a real in-the-flesh one as opposed to an online one?

Some things, such as the author, title, and date are obvious, but what about the location and/or nature of the audience (e.g. a Society), and who the author represented (maybe a guest speaker from an organisation).

I guess I would also need to indicate whether I'm relying on recollection, notes, handouts, or something else, too.

Tony

Submitted byEEon Mon, 10/27/2014 - 13:55

Interesting question, Tony.  You've also provided a good example of how, if we consider a core set of principles, we can mix 'n match elements to create citations in all kinds of situations.

As you point out, there are differences between citing a "live" presentation vis à vis citing a recording or the printed version (two different mediums) or the published handouts distributed by the speaker (live presentation with differing content).

So, let's take an example from EE 12.47:

Thomas W. Jones, “Probate Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation,” Course 4: Advanced Research Methodology & Evidence Analysis, 2009 Syllabus, Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (Birmingham, Alabama: IGHR, 2009), session 4TH2, p. 11.

In this, we're citing the speaker's syllabus material, but all the basic elements are the same: Speaker, "Title of Presentation," Title of Publication, description of record type, Event Sponsor (Locale and date), session, specific data.

If this were a live presentation, we'd need all these same elements. There are just three differences: (1) The event isn't published; (2) we'd likely cite an exact date instead of a year; and (3) you're citing your own notes instead of  a specific statement in Jones's printed matter.

Keeping this same format, we merely make substitutions in those three spots:

Thomas W. Jones, “Probate Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation,” Course 4: Advanced Research Methodology & Evidence Analysis, lecture, Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (Birmingham, Alabama: IGHR, 15 June 2009), session 4TH2; notes taken by Tony Proctor.

Thanks for raising the issue. This should be worked into the next edition of EE, whenever that happens.