MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a citation style commonly used in the humanities, particularly in English, foreign language, and literature courses. When citing an interview in MLA style, you need to follow specific guidelines to ensure that your work is accurately and properly cited.
To begin with, you should start by introducing the interviewee in your essay. Provide their name, profession, and any other relevant information that will help your readers understand the context of the interview. Then, provide a brief overview of the interview, including the date and location where it took place.
When it comes to citing the interview itself, there are several ways to do this depending on the format of the interview. If the interview was conducted in person, you can simply provide the name of the interviewee and the date of the interview in parentheses at the end of the relevant passage. For example: "According to John Smith, a local artist, the best way to create a successful painting is to 'start with a clear idea of what you want to say' (Smith, personal interview, July 12, 2021)."
If the interview was conducted over the phone or through email, you should include the name of the interviewee and the date of the interview, as well as the medium through which the interview was conducted. For example: "In a phone interview on July 12, 2021, John Smith, a local artist, noted that the best way to create a successful painting is to 'start with a clear idea of what you want to say' (Smith, phone interview)."
If you are citing an interview that was published in a magazine, newspaper, or online, you should include the name of the interviewee, the title of the interview, the publication in which it appeared, and the date of publication. For example: "In an interview with The New York Times, John Smith, a local artist, noted that the best way to create a successful painting is to 'start with a clear idea of what you want to say' (Smith, 'The Art of Painting,' The New York Times, July 12, 2021)."
It is important to note that, when citing an interview in MLA style, you should not include the transcript of the interview in your essay. Instead, you should simply paraphrase or quote the relevant passages and provide a proper citation.
In conclusion, citing an interview in MLA style requires you to provide specific information about the interviewee, the date and location of the interview, and the medium through which the interview was conducted. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your work is properly cited and that you give credit to the original source.
