Citing an interview in MLA style can seem straightforward, but there are nuances depending on where and how you encountered the interview. Whether you spoke to someone directly, watched a televised interview, or listened to a podcast, the Modern Language Association has specific guidelines to ensure your readers can find the source you used.
This guide breaks down how to cite interviews in MLA, covering different scenarios and providing clear examples.
Basic Principles of MLA Interview Citations
The core idea behind any MLA citation is to provide enough information for your reader to locate the source. For interviews, this typically includes:
- The interviewee: Who was interviewed?
- The interviewer: Who conducted the interview? (Sometimes this is you.)
- The title of the interview: If it has one.
- The publication/container: Where was the interview published or presented?
- Publication details: Date, page numbers, URLs, etc.
Let's look at specific types of interviews.
Citing Published Interviews
Published interviews appear in books, magazines, newspapers, or online journals. The format will be similar to citing other works from these sources, with the interview itself as the core element.
Interviews in Periodicals (Magazines, Newspapers, Journals)
When an interview is published in a periodical, you'll cite it as an article from that periodical.
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview." Title of Periodical, Day Month Year, pp. Page Numbers.
Example:
If you interviewed a local artist for your college newspaper:
Smith, Jane. "My Journey in Abstract Art." The Campus Chronicle, 15 Oct. 2023, pp. 8-9.
If the interview has no specific title, you can describe it:
Johnson, Mark. Interview by Sarah Lee. City Weekly, 2 Nov. 2023, p. 12.
Interviews in Books
If an interview is included as a chapter or section within a larger book, you'll cite it similarly to a chapter in an edited collection.
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview." Title of Book, edited by Editor's First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year, pp. Page Numbers.
Example:
A famous author interviewed in a collection of literary essays:
Morrison, Toni. "An Afternoon with Toni Morrison." Conversations with American Writers, edited by David Miller, Penguin Books, 1998, pp. 45-62.
Citing Personal Interviews
This is for interviews you conduct yourself, whether in person, over the phone, or via email. Since these aren't published for general access, you need to provide enough detail for your reader to understand the context and, if necessary, potentially access it (though this is less common for personal interviews).
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. Type of Interview. Day Month Year.
Type of Interview: This should clearly state how the interview was conducted. Common examples include: "Personal interview," "Telephone interview," "Email interview," "Video call interview."
Example:
If you interviewed your professor for a research paper:
Davis, Robert. Personal interview. 10 Nov. 2023.
If you conducted an email interview:
Chen, Li. Email interview. 5 Dec. 2023.
Important Note: For personal interviews, you typically don't need to include the interviewer's name unless it's crucial for context or if you are the interviewer and it clarifies your role. The focus is on the interviewee and the interview details.
Citing Broadcast and Digital Interviews
This category covers interviews you encounter through media like television, radio, podcasts, or online videos.
Television and Radio Interviews
When citing interviews from broadcast media, you'll treat them as episodes of a show or standalone programs.
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Interview (if applicable)." Title of Program, Network/Station, Broadcast Date.
Example:
An interview with a politician on a news program:
Obama, Barack. "Discussion on Foreign Policy." The Evening News, CNN, 8 Nov. 2023.
If the interview is part of a larger program without a specific title for the interview segment:
Williams, Robin. Interview. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC, 12 Dec. 2023.
Podcast Interviews
Podcasts have become a rich source for interviews. The citation format is specific.
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Episode (if applicable)." Title of Podcast, Season Number, Episode Number, Host's Name (if relevant), Production Company/Network, Day Month Year.
Example:
An interview with a scientist on a science podcast:
Cox, Brian. "The Wonders of the Universe." Radiolab, season 12, episode 3, WNYC Studios, 20 Nov. 2023.
If the interview itself has a title within the episode:
Gaiman, Neil. "Writing Worlds." The Creative Life, episode 45, hosted by Anna Garcia, StoryWorks, 1 Dec. 2023.
Online Video Interviews (e.g., YouTube)
Interviews found on platforms like YouTube require details specific to the online format.
Structure:
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Video." Name of Website, Uploader's Name (if different from website), Day Month Year of Upload, URL.
Example:
An interview with an author posted on YouTube:
Rowling, J.K. "J.K. Rowling on Her Latest Novel." Penguin Books, uploaded by Penguin Books, 25 Oct. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=examplevideo.
If you are the interviewer and the video is hosted on your own channel:
You, Your Name. "Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma." Your Channel Name, uploaded by You, Your Name, 15 Nov. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yourchannelvideo.
Key Considerations for Interview Citations
- Accuracy is Crucial: Double-check names, dates, titles, and URLs. Any error can make it impossible for your reader to find the source.
- Your Role as Interviewer: If you are the interviewer, clearly state this in your citation, especially for personal interviews.
- "Title of Interview": If the interview doesn't have a formal title, you can use a brief, descriptive phrase (e.g., "Interview with [Person's Name]," "Discussion on [Topic]").
- In-Text Citations: Remember that every source you cite in your Works Cited page needs a corresponding in-text citation. For interviews, this usually involves the interviewee's last name (e.g., (Smith)). For personal interviews you conducted, you might simply refer to them in the text (e.g., "As Professor Davis explained in our interview...").
Mastering MLA citation for interviews ensures academic integrity and helps your readers explore your sources further. If you're ever unsure about a specific citation or need help refining your entire bibliography, services like EssayGazebo.com can provide professional assistance.