Citing a speech in Chicago style requires careful attention to the format of the source, as the citation changes significantly depending on whether you heard the speech live, read a transcript, watched a recording, or found it in a published collection. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) offers two distinct documentation systems: Notes and Bibliography (common in humanities) and Author-Date (common in sciences and social sciences). Mastering both systems ensures your academic work maintains credibility and allows readers to locate your sources efficiently.
Understanding the Two Chicago Systems
Before diving into specific speech formats, you must identify which system your institution or publisher requires. Also, the Notes and Bibliography system uses footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations accompanied by a bibliography at the end. Still, the Author-Date system uses parenthetical in-text citations (Author Year) and a reference list. While the core data elements—speaker, title, date, location—remain the same, the punctuation and order differ Not complicated — just consistent. But it adds up..
Citing a Speech Heard Live (In Person)
If you attended a lecture, conference presentation, or public address in person, the citation acknowledges the ephemeral nature of the event. Since no recording or transcript exists for the reader to consult, you classify this as an "unpublished presentation."
Notes and Bibliography Format
Footnote/Endnote:
- Speaker First Name Last Name, "Title of Speech" (presentation, Event Name, Location, Date).
Bibliography Entry:
Last Name, First Name. "Title of Speech." Presentation at Event Name, Location, Date.
Example:
- Michelle Obama, "Remarks at the Democratic National Convention" (presentation, Democratic National Convention, Chicago, IL, August 17, 2020).
Obama, Michelle. "Remarks at the Democratic National Convention." Presentation at Democratic National Convention, Chicago, IL, August 17, 2020.
Author-Date Format
In-Text Citation:
(Obama 2020)
Reference List Entry:
Obama, Michelle. 2020. "Remarks at the Democratic National Convention." Presentation at Democratic National Convention, Chicago, IL, August 17.
Note: If the speech is untitled, use a generic description like "Lecture" or "Keynote Address" without quotation marks or italics.
Citing a Published Transcript or Print Source
Speeches are frequently published in books, journals, newspapers, or government documents. In these cases, you cite the container (the book, journal, or website) using the standard format for that source type, while identifying the speech within it It's one of those things that adds up. Nothing fancy..
Speech in a Book or Anthology
Notes and Bibliography:
Footnote: 2. Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream," in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., ed. James M. Washington (San Francisco: HarperOne, 1986), 217.
Bibliography: King Jr., Martin Luther. "I Have a Dream." In A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by James M. Washington, 217–220. San Francisco: HarperOne, 1986.
Author-Date:
In-Text: (King 1986, 217)
Reference List: King, Martin Luther Jr. 1986. "I Have a Dream." In A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., edited by James M. Washington, 217–220. San Francisco: HarperOne.
Speech in a Newspaper or Magazine
Treat this as a standard article citation, noting the author (speaker) and the publication details.
Notes and Bibliography:
Footnote: 3. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, "Address to the US Congress," New York Times, December 22, 2022, A1.
Bibliography: Zelenskyy, Volodymyr. "Address to the US Congress." New York Times, December 22, 2022.
Author-Date:
In-Text: (Zelenskyy 2022)
Reference List: Zelenskyy, Volodymyr. 2022. "Address to the US Congress." New York Times, December 22, 2022 Small thing, real impact. That's the whole idea..
Citing Audio and Video Recordings
In the digital age, most researchers access speeches via YouTube, TED Talks, podcasts, or institutional repositories. Chicago style treats these as multimedia sources. You must include the platform, the uploader (if different from the speaker), the publication date, the URL, and the running time or timestamp if citing a specific segment.
Online Video (YouTube, TED, C-SPAN)
Notes and Bibliography:
Footnote: 4. Brené Brown, "The Power of Vulnerability," TED Talk, 20:04, June 2010, https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability Which is the point..
Bibliography: Brown, Brené. "The Power of Vulnerability." TED Talk, 20:04. June 2010. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability.
Author-Date:
In-Text: (Brown 2010)
Reference List: Brown, Brené. 2010. "The Power of Vulnerability." TED Talk, 20:04. June 2010. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability Not complicated — just consistent. Took long enough..
Audio Podcast or Radio Broadcast
Notes and Bibliography:
Footnote: 5. Barack Obama, "Interview on Pod Save America," podcast audio, October 19, 2022, 45:30, https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/ Less friction, more output..
Bibliography: Obama, Barack. "Interview on Pod Save America." Podcast audio, October 19, 2022. https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/.
Author-Date:
In-Text: (Obama 2022)
Reference List: Obama, Barack. 2022. "Interview on Pod Save America." Podcast audio, October 19, 2022. https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/ That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Pro Tip: If you are citing a specific quote, add a timestamp in the note (e.g., 12:34) or in the parenthetical citation (Obama 2022, 12:34).
Citing Historical Speeches and Primary Source Collections
Historians often cite speeches found in edited volumes of collected works, presidential libraries, or digital archives like the Miller Center or American Presidency Project. The key here is citing the editor and the collection title, as the original speech is a primary source reproduced by a modern editor Simple as that..
Edited Collection (Print or Digital)
Notes and Bibliography:
Footnote: 6. Abraham Lincoln, "Gettysburg Address," November 19, 1863,
