Citing an Interview: A Comprehensive Guide
Interviews can provide valuable insights and perspectives for your research or writing. However, it's crucial to cite them correctly to maintain academic integrity and allow your readers to verify your sources. This guide will walk you through the process of citing interviews in various citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago.
Understanding Interview Citations
Citing an interview involves providing enough information for your readers to locate the original source. The basic elements of an interview citation include the interviewee's name, the interviewer's name (if applicable), the title of the interview (if any), the publication or broadcast medium, the date of the interview, and the URL or other retrieval information.
Citing Interviews in MLA Style
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities. Here's how to cite an interview in MLA format:
| Interview by a Single Interviewer | Interview by Multiple Interviewers |
|---|---|
| Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview." Title of the Periodical, Volume Number, Issue Number, Date, pp. xx-xx. URL. | Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview." Title of the Periodical, Volume Number, Issue Number, Date, pp. xx-xx. Interview by First Name Last Name and First Name Last Name. URL. |
If the interview is not published in a periodical, use the following format:
| Broadcast Interview | Podcast Interview |
|---|---|
| Last Name, First Name. Interview by First Name Last Name. Title of the Broadcast, Station Name, Date, URL. | Last Name, First Name. Interview by First Name Last Name. "Title of the Episode." Title of the Podcast, Season Number, Episode Number, Date, URL. |
Citing Interviews in APA Style
APA (American Psychological Association) style is often used in the social sciences. Here's how to cite an interview in APA format:
| Interview by a Single Interviewer | Interview by Multiple Interviewers |
|---|---|
| Interviewee, F. I. (Year, Month Day). Interview by I. Interviewer [Interview transcript]. URL | Interviewee, F. I. (Year, Month Day). Interview by I. Interviewer & I. Interviewer [Interview transcript]. URL |
If the interview is part of a larger work, use the following format:
Interviewee, F. I. (Year, Month Day). [Interview of I. Interviewer by F. I. Last Name]. In F. Editor (Ed.), Title of the Work (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.
Citing Interviews in Chicago Style
Chicago style is often used in history and other fields in the humanities and social sciences. Here's how to cite an interview in Chicago format:
| Note-Bibliography Style | Author-Date Style |
|---|---|
| Interviewee, F. I., interview by I. Interviewer, Title of the Interview (Place: Publisher, Year), URL. | Interviewee, F. I. (Year). Interview by I. Interviewer. Title of the Interview. Place: Publisher. |
If the interview is not published, use the following format:
Interviewee, F. I., interview by I. Interviewer, Date of Interview.
Citing Interviews in Other Formats
If you're using a citation style not covered here, consult the relevant style guide or ask your instructor for guidance. The principles of providing enough information for your readers to locate the original source still apply.
Tips for Citing Interviews
- Always cite the original source if possible. If you found the interview in a secondary source, cite the original source if you can.
- If the interview is not available online, try to find a transcript or recording. If you can't, note the date and medium of the interview in your citation.
- Be consistent in your citations. Use the same format for all interviews in your work.
Citing interviews may seem complex, but with a little practice, you'll be able to do it with ease. Remember, the goal is to provide enough information for your readers to locate the original source and to maintain academic integrity in your work.
