When writing research papers or essays, citing interviews correctly in MLA format is essential for academic integrity and clarity. Below are three practical examples showcasing how to format interviews according to the guidelines of the Modern Language Association (MLA).
This example demonstrates how to cite a published interview from a magazine, which is useful for students writing papers that reference well-known figures.
Smith, John. “A Conversation with Jane Doe.” The Great Interview, vol. 15, no. 3, 2023, pp. 45-50.
In this citation, the author’s name is followed by the title of the interview in quotation marks. The name of the magazine is italicized, followed by the volume and issue number, publication year, and page numbers where the interview can be found.
This example illustrates how to cite a personal interview conducted by the researcher, which is common in qualitative research papers.
Doe, Jane. Personal interview. 10 Oct. 2023.
Here, the interviewee’s name is followed by the phrase “Personal interview” and the date when the interview took place. It’s a straightforward way to reference interviews that are not published.
In this example, we cite a recorded interview available in a digital format, which is particularly useful for students referencing online resources.
Brown, Lisa. “Innovations in Education.” Educational Insights, 5 May 2023, www.educationalinsights.org/interviews/lisa-brown. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
This citation includes the interviewee’s name, the title of the interview in quotation marks, the date it was published, the website name in italics, the direct URL for access, and the date you accessed the interview.
By following these examples of MLA format for interviews, you can ensure that your citations are clear and consistent, lending credibility to your research work.