How do you cite a personal interview in MLA? Citing a personal interview in MLA format is an essential skill for students and researchers to accurately document their sources and give credit to the interviewee. Proper citation not only demonstrates academic integrity but also allows readers to locate the interview if they wish to verify the information or conduct further research.
Personal interviews are a valuable source of information, often providing in-depth insights and personal perspectives that may not be available through other types of sources. However, since personal interviews are not typically published in a tangible form, they require a unique citation style. In MLA format, personal interviews are cited in the text and in the Works Cited list.
In the text, a personal interview is cited with the interviewee’s last name and the year of the interview. For example:
– (Smith 2021)
If you need to include additional information, such as the interviewee’s title or position, you can do so in parentheses after the year:
– (Dr. Smith 2021)
When citing a personal interview in the Works Cited list, include the following information:
– The interviewee’s last name, first name. “Interview Title.” Date of interview. Medium of interview.
For example:
– Smith, John. “Innovations in Technology.” 15 Mar. 2021. Personal interview.
It’s important to note that the interview title is not italicized, nor is it placed in quotation marks. The medium of the interview (e.g., “Personal interview”) is included to clarify the source type. Additionally, if the interviewee’s name is not known, you can use “Interviewee” as a placeholder in the Works Cited entry:
– Interviewee. “Title of Interview.” Date of interview. Personal interview.
Remember that when citing a personal interview, it’s crucial to maintain accuracy and consistency in your formatting. This includes using the correct punctuation, capitalization, and spacing. By following MLA guidelines for citing personal interviews, you can ensure that your research is properly documented and your sources are easily accessible to others.
In conclusion, citing a personal interview in MLA format is a straightforward process that involves including the interviewee’s name, the date of the interview, and the medium of the interview in both the text and the Works Cited list. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively document your sources and demonstrate academic integrity in your research.
