Citing An Interview Mla Format

Citing an Interview in MLA Format: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite an interview in MLA format, covering various interview types and scenarios. Understanding how to properly cite sources is crucial for academic integrity and avoids plagiarism. This detailed explanation will equip you with the knowledge to correctly cite interviews in your research papers, ensuring accurate attribution of your sources and adherence to MLA style guidelines. We'll delve into different interview formats, providing specific examples and addressing common questions.

Understanding the Importance of Citation

Before we jump into the specifics, let's emphasize the importance of correctly citing interviews. Academic honesty demands that all sources are properly acknowledged. Failing to do so constitutes plagiarism, a serious academic offense with potentially severe consequences. Proper citation not only protects you from accusations of plagiarism but also strengthens your credibility as a researcher by demonstrating your thoroughness and respect for intellectual property. Furthermore, accurate citations allow readers to easily verify your information and explore your sources further.

Types of Interviews and Their Citations

MLA style accommodates various types of interviews, each requiring a slightly different approach to citation. Let's explore the most common types:

1. Personal Interviews: These are conducted directly with an individual, often face-to-face or over the phone.

In-text citation: (Interviewee Last Name, personal communication, date). Note that personal communications are not included in the Works Cited page.
Example: (Smith, personal communication, May 15, 2024).

2. Published Interviews: These interviews are published in books, magazines, journals, or online platforms.

In-text citation: (Interviewee Last Name, page number).
Example: (Smith 12).
Works Cited Entry: This requires more information, including the interviewer's name (if known), the publication title, the publication date, and the location of the interview (page numbers or URL). The format will vary based on the type of publication.

Examples of Works Cited Entries for Published Interviews:

Interview in a Book:

Interviewee Last Name, Interviewee First Name. "Interview Title." Book Title, edited by Editor Last Name, Editor First Name, Publisher, Year, pages.

Example: Smith, John. "An Interview with a Leading Expert." The Future of Technology, edited by Jane Doe, Oxford University Press, 2024, pp. 120-135.

Interview in a Magazine:

Interviewee Last Name, Interviewee First Name. "Interview Title." Magazine Title, volume number, issue number, year, pages.

Example: Jones, Mary. "A Conversation with a Renowned Author." The Literary Review, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 45-52.

Interview in a Journal:

Interviewee Last Name, Interviewee First Name. "Interview Title." Journal Title, volume number, issue number, year, pages. DOI or URL.

Example: Brown, David. "Exploring the Depths of Human Consciousness." Journal of Psychology, vol. 20, no. 1, 2024, pp. 10-25, https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxx

Interview in an Online Platform (e.g., Website or Podcast):

Interviewee Last Name, Interviewee First Name. "Interview Title." Website Name or Podcast Title, Publisher (if applicable), Date of Publication, URL.

Example: Lee, Sarah. "An Engaging Dialogue on Climate Change." The Green Initiative Podcast, Green Initiative Network, June 10, 2024, https://www.greeninitiative.org/podcast/episode-10

3. Transcribed Interviews: If you have a transcribed interview, treat it similarly to a published interview, but be sure to note that it's a transcription. You may include "Transcript" in the description if needed for clarity.

In-text citation: (Interviewee Last Name, page number or timestamp, if applicable).
Example: (Smith, p. 5) or (Smith, 15:32).
Works Cited Entry: The format should closely mirror the examples above, but specify "Transcript" in the description if necessary.

4. Online Video Interviews: Similar to other online interviews, include relevant information like the platform and URL. Note the time stamp if referring to a specific section.

In-text citation: (Interviewee Last Name, timestamp).
Example: (Smith, 2:15).
Works Cited entry: The format mirrors online interviews but will include specifics for video platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo.

Example: Smith, John. "Interview on Climate Change Impacts." YouTube, uploaded by Green Solutions, June 18, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXXXX

Detailed Breakdown of Works Cited Entries

The Works Cited page is crucial; it provides the full bibliographic information for all sources cited in your paper. Here's a breakdown of the elements that might appear in a Works Cited entry for an interview, depending on its type:

Interviewee's Name: Always list the interviewee's name (Last Name, First Name).
"Interview Title" (if applicable): If the interview has a formal title, enclose it in quotation marks.
Interviewer's Name (if known and applicable): If the interviewer is known and relevant, include their name.
Publication Information: This includes the publication title (italicized), volume and issue numbers (if applicable), date of publication, page numbers (for print sources), or URL (for online sources).
Publisher: Include the name of the publishing house for books and journals.
DOI or URL: Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are preferred for online journal articles, while URLs are used for other online sources.

Handling Multiple Interviews from the Same Source

If you cite multiple interviews from the same publication, you might need to differentiate them within your Works Cited page. One approach is to list them sequentially, using distinct interview titles or descriptions as differentiators. This maintains clarity and allows for easy identification of each interview.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Inconsistency: Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your paper.
Missing Information: Ensure all necessary information is included in both your in-text citations and Works Cited entries.
Incorrect Formatting: Follow the MLA guidelines precisely, paying close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and italics.
Incomplete URLs: Ensure URLs are complete and functional.
Omitting Personal Communications from Works Cited: Remember that personal communications (emails, interviews not published anywhere else) are not included on the Works Cited page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I only have an audio recording of the interview and no transcript?

A1: While ideally you'd have a transcript, you can still cite the interview. In your in-text citation, you would use something like (Interviewee Last Name, audio recording, date). Your Works Cited entry would reflect this lack of a formal publication, for example:

Smith, John. Interview by [Your Name]. Audio recording, May 15, 2024.

Q2: How do I cite an interview conducted through email?

A2: Email interviews are considered personal communications, and therefore, they are only cited in-text: (Smith, personal communication, date). They do not appear in the Works Cited list.

Q3: What if the interview doesn't have a title?

A3: If there's no formal title, you can use a descriptive phrase in your Works Cited entry, such as "Interview with [Interviewee's Name]" or "Conversation with [Interviewee's Name]".

Q4: Can I cite an interview I found on a social media platform?

A4: Yes, you can. Try to provide as much information as possible, such as the interviewer's profile, date of posting, and the URL. Be aware, however, that social media content is often less stable than other sources; it can be easily deleted or altered. This should be considered when assessing the reliability and credibility of the source.

Q5: How do I handle an anonymous interview?

A5: If the interviewee wishes to remain anonymous, you can use a pseudonym in your citations. However, you should explain this decision and its rationale in your paper. You would still need to provide other relevant information in your Works Cited entry, like the date of the interview and possibly a description of the interviewee's role or expertise.

Conclusion

Citing interviews correctly is paramount to maintaining academic integrity and showcasing your research skills. This comprehensive guide has covered various interview formats, providing detailed examples of in-text citations and Works Cited entries. By carefully following these guidelines and addressing potential complexities, you can confidently and accurately cite interviews in your MLA-formatted papers, ensuring both academic honesty and the clear attribution of your research sources. Remember to always double-check your work and consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.