Citing lecture notes and class slides in APA requires one important decision first: can other readers actually access this material? If your professor's slides are publicly hosted online, they're citable like any other web document. If they're behind a university login that only your class can access, the proper approach is a personal communication citation.
Generate APA Citations from Any Web Page
For lecture notes, slides, and course materials posted publicly online, navigate to the page and generate the citation.
Add to Chrome — FreeLecture Notes Posted Online (Publicly Accessible)
PowerPoint Slides Posted Online
Lecture Notes Behind a Login (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle)
If your professor's notes are on Canvas, Blackboard, or another LMS that requires institutional login, other readers cannot access them. APA treats these as personal communications.
Two approaches:
- Personal communication in-text (recommended): Cite in-text only, no reference list entry
- Restricted-access reference entry: Some instructors accept a full citation with a note about restricted access
Lecture Video (Recorded and Posted Online)
Class Handout
If no URL is available for a physical handout, omit the URL and add the institution name as the publisher. If the handout was distributed in class and is not available elsewhere, use the personal communication format.
Syllabus
Summary: Which Citation Type to Use
| Material | Publicly Accessible? | Citation Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Notes on professor's public website | Yes | Full reference list entry with URL |
| Slides on SlideShare or similar | Yes | Full reference list entry with URL |
| Canvas/Blackboard (login required) | No | Personal communication in-text only |
| Physical handout from class | No | Personal communication or note in text |
| Recorded YouTube lecture | Yes | Full reference list entry with URL |
| Zoom recording behind link | Depends | Personal comm. Unless link is public |
Cite Publicly Available Lecture Materials in Seconds
Navigate to any lecture notes page, course handout URL, or SlideShare presentation and generate the APA citation automatically.
Get the APA Citation GeneratorRelated Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cite lecture notes in APA 7th edition?
If publicly accessible: Instructor Last, F. (Year, Month Day). Title [Lecture notes]. Institution. URL. If behind a login: cite as personal communication in-text only.
How do you cite a PowerPoint presentation in APA?
Author Last, F. (Year, Month Day). Title [PowerPoint slides]. Institution or Platform. URL. Use [PowerPoint slides] as the descriptor.
What is the APA source descriptor for lecture notes?
Use [Lecture notes], [PowerPoint slides], [Lecture video], or [Class handout] depending on the format of the material.
How do you cite a class that is not publicly accessible?
Cite as a personal communication in-text only: (R. Martinez, personal communication, February 12, 2024). Do not include in the reference list.
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