How to Cite an Interview in MLA

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Here’s a quick overview of how to cite an interview in MLA style 9th edition.

Interview – Published in a magazine, newspaper, website, or on TV/radio.

Here’s a run-through of everything this page includes:

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).

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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Written interviews include published and unpublished renditions of in-person interviews and email interviews, which all follow slightly different formats.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:

  1. Write the author’s name in last name, first name format.
  2. Write the interview title in quotation marks.
  3. Write “Interview by” followed by the full first name and last name of the interviewer.
  4. List the title of the periodical or journal in italics followed by a comma.
  5. After the comma, write the date the source was published followed by another comma.
  6. 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:

  1. Write the author’s name in last name, first name format.
  2. Write the interview title in quotation marks.
  3. Write “Interview by” followed by the full first name and last name of the interviewer.
  4. List the title of the periodical or journal in italics followed by a comma.
  5. After the comma, write the date the source was published followed by another comma.
  6. Type the URL followed by a period.
  7. 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.

Note: If the interview you’re trying to cite is formatted as a video posted on YouTube, this guide on citing a YouTube video in MLA can help!

Interview via email

To write an email citation:

  1. Write the interviewee’s name in last name, first name format.
  2. Write a brief description of the interview title in quotation marks.
  3. Type “Received by” followed by the full name of the interviewer and a comma.
  4. After the comma, write the date of the interaction followed by a period.
  5. 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.

  1. Write the name of the interviewee in first name, last name format with a period.
  2. Write the type of interview conducted with a period.
  3. 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, May 2020, pp. 19-20.

Interview without a date

If an interview found online is missing a date, skip this information and continue writing the URL and access date.

Works cited entry example:

Johnson, Crystal. “The Daily Life of Crystal.” Interview by Elizabeth Miller. The Hypothetical    Interviewers’ Column, http://hypothetical_interviewers_com_CJohnson. Accessed 2 May 2020.

Interview without pages

If a reference is missing pages, simply do not list them. Instead, follow the date with a period.

Works cited entry example:

Johnson, Crystal. “The Daily Life of Crystal.” Interview by Elizabeth Miller. The Hypothetical Interviewers’ Column, May 2020.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

Citation Examples

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How do I cite an interview with two or more people in MLA format?

To cite an interview with two or more people in MLA style, you need to have the name of the interviewees, title of the interview, and year. The templates for an in-text citation and works-cited-list entry of an interview with two or more people, along with examples, are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

Cite the names of the interviewees in the same way as you would cite multiple authors. The below example is for three interviewees.

(Interviewee’s Surname et al.)

(Sethusankar et al.)

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

Interviewee Surname, First Name, et al. Interview. Conducted by Interviewer’s Name, Publisher, Publication Date.

Sethusankar, Krishnan, et al. Interview with College Professors. Conducted by Kirubakaran, Ajantha Publishers, 2021.

How do I cite an interview on television, radio, or podcast in MLA format?

To cite an interview on television, radio, or podcast in MLA format, you need to have the name of the interviewee, title of the interview, name of the host, name of the TV channel, radio, or podcast, and year. The templates for an in-text citation and works-cited-list entry of an interview on television, radio, or podcast along with examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

(Interviewee’s Surname)

(Singh)

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

Interviewee Surname, First Name, “Title of the Interview.” Title of the show, hosted by Interviewer’s Name, TV Channel, Day Month Year.

Singh, Amarinder. “Hammers ‘Incapable’ Sidhu.” Captain Speaks to Arnab, hosted by Arnab Goswami, Republic World, 18 Sept. 2021.