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How to Cite a Zoom Meeting: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve attended a Zoom meeting, gleaned some invaluable insights, and now you need to properly attribute that wisdom in your scholarly work. Fear not! The core principle of citation is always the same: give credit where credit is due, and ensure your readers can find the source material themselves. Citing a Zoom meeting, however, presents unique challenges due to its ephemeral nature. The approach depends on whether the meeting was recorded and accessible or simply an unrecorded event.

The basic format for citing a Zoom meeting, regardless of style (APA, MLA, Chicago), should include:

Speaker(s)/Presenter(s): Who delivered the information? Include names and, if relevant, their affiliations or titles.
Date of the Meeting: When did the meeting occur?
Title or Description: What was the meeting about? If there was a formal title, use it. If not, provide a descriptive phrase.
Meeting Platform: Indicate that it was a Zoom meeting.
Access Information: How can someone access the information? If recorded, provide a link or instructions. If unrecorded, state that it was an unrecorded meeting.

Now, let’s delve into the specifics for each major citation style.

Citing a Zoom Meeting in Different Styles

Each major citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) has its own nuances. Here’s a breakdown of how to handle Zoom meetings in each:

Citing in APA Style

APA style emphasizes the author and date. The format varies slightly depending on whether the Zoom meeting was recorded or unrecorded.

Recorded Zoom Meeting:

Format: Speaker, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of the Zoom meeting [Video recording]. Zoom. URL
Example: Smith, J. (2023, October 26). The future of AI in education [Video recording]. Zoom. https://example.zoom.us/recordings/abcdefg123456789

Unrecorded Zoom Meeting:

Format: Speaker, A. A. (Year, Month Date). Title of the Zoom meeting [Unrecorded Zoom meeting].
Example: Smith, J. (2023, October 26). The future of AI in education [Unrecorded Zoom meeting].

Key Considerations for APA:

In the reference list, provide as much detail as possible, including the full date.
If there are multiple speakers, list them as you would for any other collaborative work.
In the in-text citation, use the speaker’s last name and the year (e.g., (Smith, 2023)).

Citing in MLA Style

MLA style focuses on the author and the work. Like APA, the citation format depends on accessibility.

Recorded Zoom Meeting:

Format: Speaker, A. A. “Title of the Zoom meeting.” Zoom, Date, URL.
Example: Smith, John. “The Future of AI in Education.” Zoom, 26 Oct. 2023, https://example.zoom.us/recordings/abcdefg123456789.

Unrecorded Zoom Meeting:

Format: Speaker, A. A. “Title of the Zoom meeting.” Zoom, Date. Lecture.
Example: Smith, John. “The Future of AI in Education.” Zoom, 26 Oct. 2023. Lecture.

Key Considerations for MLA:

Use quotation marks around the title of the Zoom meeting.
Include “Zoom” as the container.
For unrecorded meetings, “Lecture” is used to denote the format.
In the in-text citation, use the speaker’s last name and page number (if applicable). Since Zoom meetings are often unpaginated, you might just use the author’s name (e.g., (Smith)).

Citing in Chicago Style

Chicago style offers two main formats: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. Let’s focus on the more common Notes and Bibliography style.

Recorded Zoom Meeting (Bibliography Entry):

Format: Speaker, A. A. “Title of the Zoom meeting.” Zoom meeting, Date. URL.
Example: Smith, John. “The Future of AI in Education.” Zoom meeting, October 26, 2023. https://example.zoom.us/recordings/abcdefg123456789.

Recorded Zoom Meeting (Note):

Format: A. A. Speaker, “Title of the Zoom meeting,” Zoom meeting, Date, URL.
Example: John Smith, “The Future of AI in Education,” Zoom meeting, October 26, 2023, https://example.zoom.us/recordings/abcdefg123456789.

Unrecorded Zoom Meeting (Bibliography Entry):

Format: Speaker, A. A. “Title of the Zoom meeting.” Zoom meeting, Date.
Example: Smith, John. “The Future of AI in Education.” Zoom meeting, October 26, 2023.

Unrecorded Zoom Meeting (Note):

Format: A. A. Speaker, “Title of the Zoom meeting,” Zoom meeting, Date.
Example: John Smith, “The Future of AI in Education,” Zoom meeting, October 26, 2023.

Key Considerations for Chicago:

The note provides full details the first time a source is cited; subsequent citations can be shortened.
If the meeting is unrecorded, omit the URL.
The bibliography entry provides a more formal presentation of the source.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Citing Zoom Meetings

Here are some common questions that arise when citing Zoom meetings, along with detailed answers:

1. What if the Zoom meeting doesn’t have a formal title?

If the Zoom meeting lacked a formal title, provide a brief, descriptive phrase that accurately reflects the meeting’s content. For example, “Discussion on climate change policies” or “Q&A session with Dr. Jane Doe.” Make sure your description is neutral and objective.

2. How do I cite a Zoom meeting with multiple speakers?

For multiple speakers, list all of them in the citation, following the specific formatting rules of your chosen style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago). Typically, you’ll list them in the order they appeared or spoke in the meeting. If one speaker is clearly the lead presenter, list them first.

3. How do I cite a Zoom meeting that I attended but did not participate in?

You would still cite the presenter or speaker as the author. Your role as an attendee doesn’t change the authorship of the content presented. Focus on citing the source of the information – the person delivering it.

4. What if the Zoom meeting recording is only available internally within an organization?

If the recording is only available internally, indicate the location or department where it can be accessed, instead of a general URL. For example, “Available from the Marketing Department intranet.” Clarity is key here.

5. Can I cite information from a Zoom chat during the meeting?

Yes, you can cite information from the Zoom chat. Treat the person who posted the chat message as the author. In your citation, indicate that it was a “comment in Zoom chat” or similar phrasing. Include the date and time if possible.

6. How do I handle a Zoom meeting that was password-protected?

The fact that the meeting was password-protected doesn’t fundamentally change how you cite it. Include the URL if available. If the recording is only available upon request, state this explicitly (e.g., “Available upon request from [Organization Name]”).

7. What if I can’t remember the exact date of the Zoom meeting?

Do your best to find the exact date. Check your calendar, email invitations, or any other records you may have. If you can only determine the month and year, use that. If you can only approximate, use “ca.” (circa) before the approximate year. Honesty is the best policy; indicate the uncertainty.

8. Should I cite a Zoom meeting differently if it was a formal presentation versus a casual discussion?

No, the fundamental principles of citation remain the same. The key is to accurately represent the source and provide enough information for readers to locate it (if possible). The formality of the meeting doesn’t alter the citation requirements.

9. What if the Zoom meeting recording is no longer available?

If the recording is no longer available, state that it was an unrecorded Zoom meeting or a “personal communication” (depending on the context and citation style). You may also want to include a note explaining that the recording was previously available but is now unavailable.

10. How do I cite a series of Zoom meetings on the same topic?

If you’re citing information from a series of Zoom meetings on the same topic, you can either cite each meeting individually or create a general citation that covers the entire series. If you choose the latter, provide the date range of the meetings.

11. What if the speaker requested that their remarks not be cited?

Respect the speaker’s wishes. If a speaker explicitly requested that their remarks not be cited, it’s generally unethical to do so. Find an alternative source or rephrase your argument without relying on the unciteable material.

12. How do I cite a Zoom meeting that was live-streamed on another platform (e.g., YouTube)?

If the Zoom meeting was live-streamed on another platform, cite it as you would a video on that platform (e.g., a YouTube video). Include the URL of the live stream. The fact that the content originated from Zoom is less important than where your readers can actually access it.