Citing Your Chatty Cousin: A Guide to Chicago Style Personal Interviews
So, you've just finished a mind-blowing chat with your cousin about the time they accidentally locked themselves in a freezer (true story, right?). And now, you want to immortalize their tale of frozen terror in your academic masterpiece. But hold your horses, young scholar! Citing a personal interview in Chicago style is not as simple as saying, "My cousin said..."
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| How Do You Cite A Personal Interview In Chicago Style |
The Nitty Gritty of Citations
Let's break it down. There are two main ways to cite a personal interview in Chicago style:
- Footnotes or Endnotes: This is where you drop a little number at the end of the quote, and then explain all the juicy details in a note at the bottom of the page (footnote) or at the end of the document (endnote).
- Parenthetical Citations: This is where you put the author's last name and the date of the interview in parentheses after the quote. Think of it as a tiny whisper to your reader, saying, "Hey, I got this from someone, trust me."
Important Note: While footnotes and endnotes are generally preferred for personal interviews, don't be surprised if your professor has a different opinion. Always check their style guide first.
QuickTip: Read in order — context builds meaning.
What to Include in Your Citation
No matter which method you choose, you'll need to include the following information:
- The interviewee's name (last name, first name)
- Your name (the interviewer's name)
- The type of interview (personal, telephone, email, etc.)
- The date of the interview
- The location of the interview (if relevant)
Example Time!
Let's say your cousin's name is Alex, and they told you about their freezer adventure on April 12, 2024. Here’s how you would cite it:
QuickTip: Don’t skim too fast — depth matters.
Footnote: Alex Smith, interview by the author, April 12, 2024.
Parenthetical: (Smith, interview, April 12, 2024)
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Remember, the goal of a citation is to give credit where credit is due, not to write a novel. Keep your citations concise and informative.
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How to Handle Multiple Interviews
If you're interviewing multiple people, you can use a shortened version of the citation after the first full citation. For example:
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
- Smith, interview.
- Johnson, interview.
How to Cite a Follow-Up Interview
If you interview the same person multiple times, you can use "subsequent interview" in your citation. For example:
Smith, subsequent interview, May 5, 2024.
How to Cite an Anonymous Interview
If your interviewee wants to remain anonymous, you can use "Anonymous" instead of their name. For example:
Anonymous, interview by the author, June 3, 2024.
And there you have it! You're now armed with the knowledge to cite your personal interviews like a pro. Happy citing!
How-To FAQs
- How to choose between footnotes and parenthetical citations? Check your professor's guidelines or the specific style guide you're using.
- How to format the date in a citation? Use the standard date format (day, month, year).
- How to cite an online interview? Include the URL of the interview in your citation.
- How to cite a group interview? List all the interviewees in the citation.
- How to cite a recorded interview? Include information about the recording (e.g., audio, video) in the citation.
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