In academic and professional writing, citing interviews accurately is crucial—especially when using MLA format. Whether it's a personal conversation, a recorded podcast, or a print magazine interview, using the correct MLA interview citation format ensures credibility, traceability, and academic integrity.
This detailed guide explains how to cite an interview in MLA, including personal and published interviews. You’ll also learn how to format in-text citations and avoid common pitfalls. With real-world MLA interview examples, this article is your one-stop resource to master citation rules.
What Is MLA Format? A Quick Overview
The Modern Language Association (MLA) format is a widely used citation style, especially in humanities and language-related fields. It emphasizes brevity, clarity, and a clean reference system. The MLA 9th edition is the latest version and includes guidelines on citing interviews, personal communications, and multimedia sources.
Key MLA principles include:
- Author–page citation for in-text references.
- A "Works Cited" page at the end of the paper.
- Italics for titles of containers (books, journals, websites).
Understanding MLA format interview rules is essential when incorporating spoken or published dialogue into your writing.
When Should You Cite an Interview in MLA Style?
You should use MLA interview citation whenever you include material derived from an interview in your work. This applies to:
- Quoting direct responses from a person.
- Paraphrasing interview content.
- Summarizing a discussion from a verbal or written exchange.
Cite interview MLA format if the information is not recoverable elsewhere (like in a personal interview) or if you refer to publicly available content (like a news interview or podcast).
Always cite when:
- The person provides original insight or expert opinion.
- The interview has research value.
- You're referencing a published source, like a magazine or documentary.
Types of Interviews You Can Cite (Personal, Published, etc.)
Before diving into citation mechanics, let’s distinguish between interview types. Each requires a unique approach in MLA format.
1. Personal Interviews
- Conducted by you directly (in person, via phone, or Zoom).
- Not retrievable by others.
- Requires a specific personal interview MLA citation format.
2. Published Interviews
- Found in books, websites, magazines, or newspapers.
- Follow standard MLA citation rules for containers and authorship.
3. Broadcast Interviews
- Aired on television, radio, or online.
- Include platform information and access date when possible.
4. Interview from a Podcast or YouTube Video
- Includes creator, title of the interview, platform (Spotify, YouTube), date, and URL.
By categorizing the type of interview, you ensure proper citation and maintain academic accuracy.
Basic MLA Format for Interview Citations
In MLA, citations are tailored to the interview type. Here's a basic MLA format interview structure:
Personal Interview (unpublished)
Last Name, First Name. Interview. Conducted by [Your Name], Date.
Example:
Smith, Jane. Interview. Conducted by John Doe, 5 Jan. 2025.
Published Interview in a Magazine
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Interview.” Title of Container, vol. #, no. #, Date, pages.
Example:
Obama, Barack. “A Nation Reflects.” Time, vol. 194, no. 12, 5 Mar. 2024, pp. 22–25.
Broadcast Interview
Interviewee Last Name, First Name. Title of Interview. Interview by Interviewer First Name Last Name, Network, Date, URL.
Example:
Musk, Elon. Interview with Elon Musk. Interview by Kara Swisher, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2023, www.nbcnews.com/muskinterview.
Each format includes elements like interviewee, interviewer, date, and source—organized appropriately per MLA guidelines.
How to Cite a Personal Interview in MLA
Personal interviews are not recoverable by others, so you cite them as a standalone entry.
MLA Format:
Last Name, First Name. Interview. Conducted by [Your Name], Day Month Year.
MLA Interview Example:
Brown, Sarah. Interview. Conducted by Mark Allen, 3 Apr. 2025.
This format suits in-person, phone, or video interviews you personally conducted. Since these are not published, there's no container or URL.
Use this when learning how to cite a personal interview MLA for academic or research papers.
How to Cite a Published or Broadcast Interview in MLA
When the interview is part of a larger work (article, TV episode, podcast), you need to cite the container details like title, publisher, and URL.
Example – Interview in a Magazine:
King, Stephen. “Reflections on Horror.” The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2024, pp. 44–47.
Example – Interview on a Website:
Swift, Taylor. “Music and Meaning.” Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025, www.rollingstone.com/taylorswiftinterview.
Example – TV Interview:
Gates, Bill. CBS Morning Interview. Interview by Gayle King, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024, www.cbs.com/gatesinterview.
Knowing how to cite an interview in MLA when it’s published involves identifying all parts of the source hierarchy—interviewee, interviewer, container title, publication date, and URL (if digital).
In-Text Citations for Interviews in MLA Format
Once you have your interview cited on the Works Cited page, you must also use in-text citations correctly.
For a personal interview:
Use the interviewee’s last name in parentheses.
(Smith)
For a published interview:
Use the author's last name or the interviewee’s name if no author is credited.
(Obama 23)
Example in Text:
According to Elon Musk, sustainable energy is the future (Musk).
This ensures consistency and proper attribution throughout your paper. Remember, MLA format interview rules emphasize clarity and alignment between in-text and final citations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing Interviews
Many students and writers make errors when trying to cite interview MLA. Here are mistakes to watch out for:
- Using the wrong container – For published interviews, always include the correct source (e.g., website, magazine, podcast).
- Forgetting the interviewer – MLA style includes the interviewer when known.
- Incorrect in-text citation – Ensure the last name matches the Works Cited entry.
- Not italicizing or quoting correctly – Italicize the title of the container, not the interview title.
- Wrong order of information – MLA has a strict order: interviewee, title (if applicable), interviewer, container, publisher, date, URL.
Avoiding these mistakes helps maintain credibility and meets academic standards.
Conclusion
Mastering how to cite an interview in MLA format ensures your academic work is polished, professional, and ethically sound. Whether it's a personal conversation or a published broadcast, understanding the distinctions and following correct formatting rules is essential.
This guide covered everything from how to cite a personal interview MLA style to citing published and broadcast interviews. By applying these principles, you can create flawless citations that boost your paper’s credibility.
Make sure to revisit this resource whenever you're working with interview material in your writing. When in doubt, refer to the latest MLA Handbook (9th edition) or reliable sources like Scribbr for confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use MLA format to cite a TV or radio interview?
Yes, MLA format can be used to cite TV or radio interviews. You’ll need to include the interviewee's name, the title of the program (in italics), the interviewer if known, the network, broadcast date, and URL (if available online).
Q2. Do I need to include the interviewer’s name in an MLA citation?
Including the interviewer’s name is recommended but not always required. If the interviewer's role is significant or helps identify the source, include their name after the title of the interview using "Interview by [Name]."
Q3. How do I cite an interview conducted by someone else in MLA?
If citing an interview conducted by someone else, list the interviewee first, followed by the title (if any), the interviewer’s name, the source (e.g., magazine or show), date, and URL or page numbers. Make sure to credit both the interviewer and source properly.
Q4. What is the MLA format for citing a group interview?
For a group interview, list all the names of interviewees (if known), or the group name. Then provide the title (if any), interviewer, program or publication title, date, and access details. Use "Interview" as the medium to clarify the format.
Q5. Do I use quotation marks for the interview title in MLA?
Yes, if the interview has a specific title, place it in quotation marks. If it doesn’t have a formal title, you can describe it (e.g., Interview with Jane Doe) without quotation marks and italicize the source instead.