Mastering the nuances of academic documentation often requires specific knowledge for less conventional sources, and learning how to cite a speech in MLA format presents a distinct challenge. Unlike books or journal articles, speeches exist in a unique space, sometimes transcribed for publication and other times delivered live without a permanent record. This guide provides a clear, practical framework for navigating these scenarios within the Modern Language Association style.
Understanding the Core Principle
The foundation of any MLA citation, regardless of source type, rests on the core template: the author’s last name and a specific locator, such as a page number, found in the Works Cited entry. When citing a speech, you must determine who is responsible for the content and its publication. Is the author the person who delivered the speech, or is it an editor who transcribed and published it? Identifying this distinction is the critical first step that dictates the structure of your citation and ensures your reader can trace the source accurately.
Citing a Published Speech or Address
A published speech is one that has been made available in a permanent, retrievable format, such as a book, an article in a journal, or a dedicated section of a website. In these cases, treat the speech similarly to a chapter in an edited book or an article in a periodical. The person who gave the speech is listed as the author, while the person who compiled, edited, or published the collection containing the speech is attributed as the editor or publisher of the container.
Works Cited Example for a Published Speech
The following example demonstrates the standard format for a speech found within an edited volume:
King, Martin Luther, Jr. "I Have a Dream." The Rhetoric of Civil Rights: A Documentary History, 1954-1968, edited by Anthony J. Cortese, Greenwood Press, 1997, pp. 112-125.
Citing a Speech from an Online Database
Many educational institutions and public libraries provide access to databases containing historical and contemporary speeches. These platforms act as containers for the content, much like a journal or a streaming service. When citing from a database, you must include the title of the database, the publisher (if listed), and the stable URL or DOI. The general format prioritizes the author of the speech and concludes with the relevant retrieval information.
Works Cited Example for an Online Database Speech
In this example, the speech is accessed through a proprietary database, requiring specific retrieval details:
FDR, Franklin D. "Day of Infamy Speech." American History in Video, Alexander Street, https://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/bibweb_flow/1221551. Accessed 15 May 2023.
Citing a Speech Heard Live or Viewed Online
What happens when you need to cite a speech that was delivered live, such as a presidential address or a keynote at a conference, and you have no published transcript or recording to reference? The MLA Handbook provides guidance for this scenario, advising you to treat the live event as the source. If you are citing the speech as you heard it, list the speaker, the title of the speech in quotation marks, the date and location of the event, and the fact that you attended or viewed it live.
Works Cited Example for a Live Speech
Here is how to structure the citation for an in-person event:
Warren, Elizabeth. "Address on Small Business Tax Reform." Speech delivered at the Small Business Summit, Chicago, IL. 22 Mar. 2022.
