Need to cite a personal interview? Most style guides treat it as personal communication—no full citation required. Just drop the interviewee’s initials and last name, the phrase “personal communication,” and the interview date in parentheses where you use the info.
What’s Happening
Personal interviews are private exchanges, so style guides like APA and MLA don’t list them in your references.
When you chat with someone—say, over the phone or in person—it’s considered unpublished. That means you don’t add a formal Works Cited entry. Instead, you cite it briefly right where you use the quote or idea in your paper.
Step-by-Step Solution
Cite a personal interview directly in your text, following the rules for your style guide.
- Pick your style: Are you using APA, MLA, or Chicago? Each handles interviews a little differently.
- Grab the full name: Use the interviewee’s first and last name—no nicknames unless they’re their legal name.
- Add a quick note: Mention how the interview happened (phone call, email, in-person chat).
- APA format:
- Put it all in parentheses: ((B. Smith, personal communication, May 12, 2026))
- MLA format:
- Keep it simple: ((Smith)). No date or extra details needed in the text.
- Chicago format:
- Use a footnote instead: 1. Bruno Mars, interview by Julie Chapman, May 12, 2026.
If This Didn’t Work
Published interviews, transcripts, or email exchanges get different treatment.
- Published interview: If the interview is in a newspaper, podcast, or journal, cite it like any other published source. APA example: (Smith, B. (2026, May 12). How technology shapes education. The Daily Chronicle.)
- Transcript or recording: Only call it “personal communication” if it’s unpublished and not public. Otherwise, cite it as a document.
- Email interview: Still treat it as personal communication in APA: ((Smith, B., personal communication, May 12, 2026)). Jot down the email subject in your notes if it helps.
Prevention Tips
Save yourself headaches by keeping good records and checking permissions.
- Keep a record: Save the email, audio file, or even a quick summary with the date. That way, you’ve got proof if anyone questions it.
- Get permission: Always double-check with the person you interviewed. Some folks don’t want their offhand comments quoted.
- Use templates: Set up a quick citation template in your notes app. It’ll save time when you’re juggling multiple interviews.
- Check guidelines: Your instructor’s style guide or syllabus might have quirks. Don’t assume—double-check the rules.
