How to Cite an Interview in MLA

• Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)
• Published on 01/26/2025

Citing an interview in MLA format requires attention to detail and careful adherence to the specific guidelines provided by the Modern Language Association (MLA). This guide outlines how to properly cite various types of interviews, providing examples for clarity. 

CITE A PERSONAL INTERVIEW

A personal interview involves direct communication between the interviewer and the interviewee.

To cite this type of interview:

• Include the last name and first name of the person interviewed.
• Specify that it is a personal interview by including the phrase Interview.
• Provide the name of the interviewer and the date of the interview.

Citation	Adams, Mary. Interview. Conducted by John Lawson, 15 Mar. 2023.
Structure	Last name of person interviewed, First name. Interview. Conducted by First name Last name, Date of interview.

CITE A PUBLISHED INTERVIEW IN PRINT

A published interview in print requires more details about the source.

To cite this type of interview:

• Start with the surname and first name of the interviewee.
• Include the title of the interview in quotation marks.
• Add the name of the interviewer if available.
• Provide the title of the publication in italics.
• State the date of publication.
• Include the page range where the interview is found.

Citation	Garcia, Linda. “Life in the Spotlight.” Interview by Thomas Edwards. Celebrity Weekly, 21 June 2022, pp. 45-47.
Structure	Surname of interviewee, First name. “Title of Interview.” Interview by First name Surname. Title of Publication, Date of publication, pp. page range.

CITE A PUBLISHED INTERVIEW FOUND ONLINE

For online interviews, additional information about the digital source is required.

To cite this type of interview:

• Begin with the surname and first name of the interviewee.
• Add the title of the interview in quotation marks.
• Mention the interviewer’s name if available.
• Provide the title of the website or publication in italics.
• Include the publication date.
• Provide the URL of the interview.

Citation	Wilson, Alex. “A Journey Through Creativity.” Interview by Sara Lane. Art Online Magazine, 25 Oct. 2021, https://artonline_mag.com/wilson_interview.
Structure	Surname of interviewee, First name. “Title of Interview.” Interview by First name Surname. Title of Publication, Date of publication, URL.

CITE A INTERVIEW IN A BOOK

Interviews included in books require detailed information about both the interview and the book.

To cite this type of interview:

• Begin with the interviewee’s surname and first name.
• Provide the title of the interview in quotation marks.
• Mention the name of the interviewer.
• Include the title of the book in italics.
• State the publisher’s name and the publication year.
• Include the page range.

Citation	King, Stephen. “Reflections on Writing.” Interview by Janet Lawson. Conversations with Writers, HarperCollins, 2019, pp. 112-125.
Structure	Surname of interviewee, First name. “Title of Interview.” Interview by First name Surname. Title of Book, Publisher, Year, pp. page range.

CITE AN ONLINE VIDEO OF AN INTERVIEW

For interviews accessed via online video platforms, the citation must include specific details about the video.

To cite this type of interview:

• Start with the interviewee’s surname and first name.
• Add the title of the interview in quotation marks.
• Mention the interviewer’s name if available.
• Specify the platform name (e.g., YouTube).
• Include the uploader’s name.
• Provide the upload date.
• Include the URL of the video.

Citation	Baker, Emma. “Innovations in Healthcare.” Interview by Robert Lee. YouTube, uploaded by HealthTech Channel, 10 Jan. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=healthcare2024.
Structure	Surname of interviewee, First name. “Title of Interview.” Interview by First name Surname. Platform, uploaded by Uploader’s Name, Date of upload, URL.

For in-text citations, use timestamps to refer to specific parts of the video.

Example	(Baker 05:12–07:45)
Structure	(Surname of interviewee minutes:seconds:-minutes:seconds)

This indicates the relevant segment between 5 minutes, 12 seconds, and 7 minutes, 45 seconds into the video.

Abbreviate all months longer than four letters. For instance, January becomes Jan, February becomes Feb, and so on. Do not abbreviate the months of May, June, and July. Websites can undergo changes, and URLs may be updated. Ensure that the URL you provide is accurate and functional. Ensure uniformity in your citations. Use the same format for elements like author names, publication dates, and titles throughout your bibliography. When formatting your Works Cited page, employ hanging indents. The first line of each entry should be flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines indented.