So You Interviewed a Big Cheese? How to Cite Them in Chicago Style (and Avoid Academic Meltdown)
Ah, the interview. You wrangled a conversation with a fascinating person, someone who holds the key to unlocking your research's brilliance. Now, how do you shove this gem into your paper and give them the credit they deserve? Enter the wonderful world of Chicago Manual of Style citation, where even interviews get their own little tuxedo. But fear not, intrepid scholar, because this guide will have you citing interviews like a champ, with a dash of humor to avoid the academic blues.
First Things First: Published vs. Unpublished Interviews
There's a difference between an interview published in a magazine or on a website and one you conducted yourself over coffee (or, let's be honest, probably over Zoom these days). Published interviews get the fancy treatment, while your one-on-one gets a slightly different approach.
Published Interviews: Dressing Up for the Citation Gala
Imagine your interview as a fancy gala attendee. Here's how to get them looking spiffy in your bibliography:
- The Interviewee: (Last name, First name) – This is the star of the show, the person whose wisdom graces your paper.
- The Interview Title (if it has one): “Interview Title” – Some interviews have catchy titles, some are just...well, interviews. Include the title in quotation marks if it exists.
- The Interviewer: interview by (Interviewer's first name last name) – Give credit to the person who wrangled the interview, even if it wasn't you.
- The Platform: This depends on where the interview was published.
- Journal: Include the Journal Title, Volume number, Issue number (Month or Season Year): Page range.
- Magazine or Website: Mention the Magazine/Website Name, Month Day, Year.
- Broadcast: (Radio/TV program title), Network, Call letters, Date broadcast.
- The URL (if online): If you found the interview online, include the website address for easy access.
Here's an example, all dressed up and ready to impress:
Smith, Jane. “The Secret Life of Squirrels.” Interview by Michael Jones. National Geographic, vol. 147, no. 2 (February 2023): 34-39. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv
Unpublished Interviews: Keeping it Casual
Unpublished interviews, like that chat with a professor over Zoom, are a bit more relaxed. Here's how to cite them in a footnote or endnote:
- The Interviewee: (Last name, First name) (identifying information) – Include the interviewee's name and any relevant details like their job title or affiliation.
- The Interview Setup: (Interview type) – Specify if it was a phone interview, a face-to-face chat, or a carrier pigeon exchange (though that last one might be a stretch).
- Location and Date: Location, Date interviewed – Briefly mention where and when the interview took place.
For example, this chill interview gets a chill citation:
Brown, David (Professor of History). Interview by You (the brilliant scholar), Zoom meeting, April 17, 2024.
That's It, Folks! You're Now an Interview Citation Master
There you have it! With these tips, you can confidently cite interviews in Chicago style and avoid the wrath of those oh-so-serious academic citation checkers. Now, go forth and conquer your research paper, knowing you've given proper credit where credit is due. Remember, even scholarly pursuits can be fun, so don't forget to add a dash of your own personality while you're at it!
