How To MLA Cite An Interview
When it comes to academic writing, proper citation is crucial. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the liberal arts and humanities. Citing an interview in MLA format requires attention to detail and adherence to specific guidelines. Whether it’s a personal interview, a published interview, or an interview found online, each type has its own citation structure. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to MLA cite an interview in various formats.
Personal Interviews
Personal interviews are those that you conduct yourself. When citing a personal interview in MLA format, list the interviewee by their name, followed by the descriptor “Personal interview” and the date of the interview. For example:
Smith, Jane. Personal interview. 19 May 2014.
It’s important to note that in APA style, personal interviews are not listed in the References list. Instead, a parenthetical citation is included in the body of the paper, following a specific format. For instance:
(B. Mars, personal communication, May 10, 2020).
Published Interviews (Print or Broadcast)
When citing a published interview in print or broadcast, the interviewee’s full name is listed, followed by the interview title in quotation marks. If the interview is part of a larger work, such as a book or a television program, the title of the larger work is italicized. Here’s an example:
Gaitskill, Mary. Interview with Charles Bock. Mississippi Review, vol. 27, no. 3, 1999, pp. 129-50.
Online-only Published Interviews
For online-only published interviews, the interviewee’s name is listed, and if the interview has a title, it is placed in quotation marks. The name of the website is italicized, followed by the publisher name (or sponsor), the publication date, and the URL. An example of this format is:
Zinkievich, Craig. Interview by Gareth Von Kallenbach. Skewed & Reviewed, 27 Apr. 2009, www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/1056940-skewed-%2526-reviewed-interviews-craig. Accessed 15 May 2009.
Speeches, Lectures, or Other Oral Presentations
When citing speeches, lectures, or other oral presentations, the speaker’s name is listed, followed by the title of the speech in quotation marks. The title of the particular conference or meeting, the name of the organization, and the venue and its city are also included. An example of this citation format is:
Stein, Bob. “Reading and Writing in the Digital Era.” Discovering Digital Dimensions, Computers and Writing Conference, 23 May 2003, Union Club Hotel, West Lafayette, IN. Keynote Address.
Panel Discussions and Question-and-Answer Sessions
For panel discussions or question-and-answer sessions, the MLA Handbook distinguishes between the formal, rehearsed portion of a presentation and the informal discussion that often occurs after. The panel members or speakers are listed first, followed by the title of the discussion or a simple description, the title of the conference or event, and the date and location. An example of this citation format is:
Bavis, Jim and Stein, Tammi, panelists. Panel discussion. Dawn or Doom Conference, 4 Nov. 2018, Stewart Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Published Conference Proceedings
When citing published conference proceedings, the format is similar to citing a book. The presenter’s name is listed, followed by the name of the presentation in quotation marks and publication information for the conference proceedings. An example of this citation format is:
Last Name, First Name. “Conference Paper Title.” Conference Title that Includes Conference Date and Location, edited by Conference Editor(s), Publisher, Date of Publication.
A Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph
For citing a painting, sculpture, or photograph, the artist’s name, the title of the artwork in italics, the date of composition, and the name of the institution that houses the artwork are provided. An example of this citation format is:
Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV. 1800, Museo del Prado, Madrid.
A Song or Album
When citing a song or album, the artist’s name is listed, followed by the song title in quotation marks and the album name in italics. The name of the recording manufacturer and the publication date are also included. An example of this citation format is:
Morris, Rae. “Skin.” Cold, Atlantic Records, 2014. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/0OPES3Tw5r86O6fudK8gxi.
Films or Movies
For citing films or movies, the title of the film, the name of the director, the film studio or distributor, and the release year are provided. If relevant, performer names are listed after the director’s name. An example of this citation format is:
Speed Racer. Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, performances by Emile Hirsch, Nicholas Elia, Susan Sarandon, Ariel Winter, and John Goodman, Warner Brothers, 2008.
Television Shows
When citing recorded television episodes, the episode name is listed in quotation marks, followed by the series name in italics, the writers, directors, and the distributor name with the date of distribution. An example of this citation format is:
“The One Where Chandler Can’t Cry.” Friends: The Complete Sixth Season, written by Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen, directed by Kevin Bright, Warner Brothers, 2004.
Podcasts
For citing podcasts, the title of the episode is listed in quotation marks, followed by the name of the series in italics and the publication date. An example of this citation format is:
“Best of Not My Job Musicians.” Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from NPR, 4 June 2016, www.npr.org/podcasts/344098539/wait-wait-don-t-tell-me.
Spoken-Word Albums such as Comedy Albums
Spoken-word albums are treated the same as musical albums when it comes to citation. An example of this citation format is:
Hedberg, Mitch. Strategic Grill Locations. Comedy Central, 2003.
Digital Files (PDFs, MP3s, JPEGs)
When citing digital files, the type of work is determined, and the author’s name, the name of the work, the date of creation, and the location are provided. An example of this citation format is:
Beethoven, Ludwig van. Moonlight Sonata. Crownstar, 2006.
MLA Citation for a Personal Interview
The MLA citation for a personal interview should follow this format:
Last name of person interviewed, First name. Interview. Conducted by Interviewer Name. Date of interview.
Example:
Mars, Bruno. Interview. Conducted by Julie Chapman. 10 May 2023.
APA Citation for a Personal Interview
APA does not require you to list a personal interview in your References list. All you need to do is include a parenthetical citation in the body of the paper, using this format:
(First Initial. Last name, personal communication, date of interview).
Example:
(B. Mars, personal communication, May 10, 2020).
Citing an Interview in MLA Style 9th Edition
Here’s a quick overview of how to cite an interview in MLA style 9th edition.
Citing an Interview in Print
Interview Citation Structure:
Interviewee Last, First M. “Interview Title.” Interview by First M. Last. Magazine Name, Date Month Year, pp. page number(s).
Interview Citation Example:
Obama, Michelle. “Oprah Talks to Michelle Obama.” Interview by Oprah Winfrey. O, The Oprah Magazine, Apr. 2009, pp. 116-125.
Citing a Personal Interview
Personal Interview Citation Structure:
Last Name of Interviewee, First Name M. Type of Interview (Personal Interview, Phone Interview, Skype Interview, etc.). Date.
Personal Interview Citation Example:
Cloyd, Allison. Personal interview. 24 July 2014.
Interview In-text Citations
Interview In-text Citation Structure:
(Interviewee Last Name Page #)
Interview In-text Citation Example:
(Obama 118)
(Cloyd)
Troubleshooting
Solution #1: How to create citations for different types of interviews
Interviews include interactions in both writing a speaking. Written interviews include published and unpublished renditions of in-person interviews and email interviews, which all follow slightly different formats.
Published interview in print
To write a published interview citation:
Write the author’s name in last name, first name format.
Write the interview title in quotation marks.
Write “Interview by” followed by the full first name and last name of the interviewer.
List the title of the periodical or journal in italics followed by a comma.
After the comma, write the date the source was published followed by another comma.
Lastly, write the page span abbreviated as “pp.” followed a period.
Works cited entry example:
Johnson, Crystal. “Crystal’s Everyday Life.” Interview by Elizabeth Miller. The Hypothetical Interviewers’ Column, May 2020, pp. 19-20.
Published interview found online
To write a published interview citation found online:
Write the author’s name in last name, first name format.
Write the interview title in quotation marks.
Write “Interview by” followed by the full first name and last name of the interviewer.
List the title of the periodical or journal in italics followed by a comma.
After the comma, write the date the source was published followed by another comma.
Type the URL followed by a period.
Lastly, type “accessed” and list the date that the source was found.
Works cited entry example:
Johnson, Crystal. “Crystal’s Everyday Life.” Interview by Elizabeth Miller. The Hypothetical Interviewers’ Column, May 2020, http://hypothetical_interviewers_com_CJohnson. Accessed 1 May 2021.
Interview via email
To write an email citation:
Write the interviewee’s name in last name, first name format.
Write a brief description of the interview title in quotation marks.
Type “Received by” followed by the full name of the interviewer and a comma.
After the comma, write the date of the interaction followed by a period.
Lastly, write “Email interview” followed by a period.
Works cited entry example:
Adams, Tyler. “Re: Job Application for the Writing Center.” Received by Howard Smith, 21 November 2021. Email Interview.
Spoken, in-person interview
Spoken interviews include in-person interviews, online interviews, and telephone interviews, which all follow similar guidelines.
Write the name of the interviewee in first name, last name format with a period.
Write the type of interview conducted with a period.
Follow this information with the date and a period.
Example of an in-person interview works cited example:
Johnson, Crystal. Personal Interview. 20 May 2021.
Example of an online interview works cited example:
Johnson, Crystal. Facebook Video Interview. 20 May 2021.
Example of a telephone interview works cited example:
Johnson, Crystal. Telephone Interview. 20 May 2021.
Solution #2: Referencing interviews with missing information
Interview missing an author
If the source is missing an author, skip this information and write the title in quotation marks with a period. Follow this information with the name of the journal or periodical in italics and a period. List the date of the publication followed by a comma and the page span of the material.
Works cited entry example:
“The Daily Life of Crystal.” The Hypothetical Interviewers’ Column, May 2020, pp. 19-20.
Interview without a title
When an interview is missing a title, rename it with a brief description of the interview.
Works cited entry example:
Johnson, Crystal. “Crystal Discusses her Routine.” Interview by Elizabeth Miller. The Hypothetical Interviewers’ Column.