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APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Class Handouts, Presentations, and Readings

This guide shows you how to cite using APA 7th edition

Formatting

Note: All citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent in a Reference List.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

Tips

In-Text Citation or References List

Handouts distributed in class and presentation slides such as Powerpoint should be cited both in-text and on the References list.

Your own notes from lectures are considered personal communications in APA style. They are cited within the text of your assignment, but do not get an entry on the References list, since they are not a published source.

Presentation Slides from Moodle

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Presentation Was Created). Title of presentation: Subtitle if any [PowerPoint presentation]. Moodle. URL of Moodle login page

Example

De Witt, J. (2025). Kinetics [PowerPoint presentation]. Moodle. https://moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/login/index.php
In-Text Paraphrase

(Instructor's Last Name, Year)

Example: (De Witt, 2025)
In-Text Quote

(Instuctor's Last Name, Year, slide slide number)

Example: (De Witt, 2025, slide 7)

Note: APA does not provide specific rules for direct quoting of PowerPoint slides. We recommend giving the slide number.

Presentation Slides from CAMS

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Presentation Was Created). Title of presentation: Subtitle if any [PowerPoint presentation]. CAMS. URL

Example

Hajbabaee, A. (2025). Monday slides (Week 2: Paragraph writing) [PowerPoint presentation]. CAMS. https://fictionalcamslink.ca
In-Text Paraphrase

(Instructor's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Hajbabaee, 2025)
In-Text Quote

(Instuctor's Last Name, Year, slide slide number)

Example: (Hajbabaee, 2025, slide 3)

Note: APA does not provide specific rules for direct quoting of PowerPoint slides. We recommend giving the slide number.

Powerpoint Presentation Slides from a Website

Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Presentation Was Created). Title of presentation: Subtitle if any [PowerPoint presentation]. Name of Website if given. URL

Note about hyperlinks:

It is acceptable for hyperlinks to be blue and underlined (live) or black without underlining.

All hyperlinks must include https://

Example

Kunka, J. L. (n.d.). Conquering the comma [PowerPoint presentation]. Purdue University Writing Lab Website. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/index.html#presentations
In-Text Paraphrase

(Author's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Kunka, n.d.)

Note: When no date is given, use the initials "n.d." where you'd normally put the date.
In-Text Quote

(Author's Last Name, Year, slide slide number)

Example: (Kunka, n.d., slide 10)

Note: When no date is given, use the initials "n.d." where you'd normally put the date.

Note: APA does not provide specific rules for direct quoting of PowerPoint slides. We recommend giving the slide number.

Class Handouts from Moodle

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Handout Was Created if known). Title of handout: Subtitle if any [Class handout]. Moodle. URL of Moodle login page

Note: To cite other readings, follow the model for that type of document: eg a chapter from a book with an editor, an article from a library database, etc.. You do not need to identify Moodle as the source. If the instructor has not provided details that are necessary to to cite the reading, contact them to ask for these.

Example

Inman, M. (2024). How to write a literary analysis essay [Class handout]. Moodle. https://moodle.columbiacollege.bc.ca/login/index.php
In-Text Paraphrase

(Instructor's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Inman, 2024)
In-Text Quote

(Instructor's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)

Example: (Inman, 2024, p. 2)

Class Handouts from CAMS

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Handout Was Created if known). Title of handout: Subtitle if any [Class handout]. CAMS. URL

Example

Smith, J. (2024). Career resources at the library [Class handout]. CAMS. https://fictionalcamslink.ca
In-Text Paraphrase

(Instructor's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Smith, 2024)
In-Text Quote

(Instructor's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)

Example: (Smith, 2024, p. 2)

Class Handout In Print

Instructor's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Year Handout Was Created if known). Title of handout: Subtitle if any [Class handout]. Columbia College, Course code.

Example

Williams, A. (2023). Laboratory safety overview [Class handout]. Columbia College, CHEM220.
In-Text Paraphrase

(Instructor's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Williams, 2023)
In-Text Quote

(Instructor's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number)

Example: (Williams, 2023, p. 1)

Class Lectures (Notes From)

Note: Your own notes from a lecture are considered personal communications in APA style. They are cited within the text of your assignment, but do not get an entry on the References list. Put the citation right after a quote or paraphrased content from the class lecture.

(First Initial of Faculty Who Gave Lecture. Second Initial if known. Last Name, personal communication, Month Day, Year lecture took place)

Example Active reading involves not just understanding the main concept of a reading, but also "analyzing the author's audience and purpose, and responding with our own agreements, criticisms, or personal experiences" (M. Inman, personal communication, May 20, 2025).
Example

Note: If the name of the person who gave the lecture is mentioned in the sentence leading into the quote or paraphrased content, you do not need to repeat it in the in-text citation.

M. Inman explained that active reading involves "analyzing the author's audience and purpose, and responding with our own agreements, criticisms, or personal experiences" (personal communication, May 20, 2025).

Class Reading with Unspecified Author, Title, etc.

You may receive a course reading in class or on Moodle that does not include much publication information. For example, you might not know:

  • The title of the resource
  • The author's name
  • The name of the publisher
  • The date when it was published

Before working on your citation, try to find more publication information by taking the following steps:

  • Check your course syllabus. Look for a list of readings assigned each week, and try to find your resource in that list. 
  • Do a keyword search on the Columbia College Library website.
    • If you know the title of your resource, type it into the search bar, in quotation marks. This can work even if it's a chapter from a larger resource.
      • For example, if you know that your resource is a book chapter titled Lucy and the Football, but you do not know the name of the book that it was published in, type “Lucy and the Football” into the search bar.
        • This is a phrase search. It will search for resources that include those same words in that exact order.
    • If you only have the author's name, try searching it, and see what publications the Columbia College Library collection has by that author.
    • If you have any additional publication information, such as the year or publisher’s name, include that in your search as well.
    • Take a look at the results that come up. Click on the titles of individual results to see the full library record (a detailed description of the result). Read through the record for details such as the summary and contents. Do they look like they could match your resource?
  • You can also try an internet search for the title (in quotation marks) and/or author’s name. This may be more difficult, as it will bring up a wider number and range of results.
  • If you need help, feel free to contact library staff, and/or your instructor.