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Human Library® at Lehman College | unjudge someone

The Human Library brings together the Lehman College Community to enhance experiences of diversity and inclusion. Students share their own stories of inspiration and resilience to break down barriers of stigma, bias, and misunderstanding. Unjudge someone

Citing a Personal Communication

Below are examples of how to cite a personal communication in common citation styles.If you do not have the human books name, you can use the human books title as a replacement. If you still have questions, feel free to contact the library, or confirm with your professor. 

Always check a reference book for the specific citation style format http://libguides.lehman.edu/citation

Privacy

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND PRIVACY 

  • Please respect the privacy of all Human Books. If you decide to write about the Human Library® at Lehman College please refrain from using any personal names or specific places discussed.

APA

Sec. 6.20, APA Manual See Also: http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/cite-interview.aspx

In-Text Citation: (J. Smith, personal communication, August 15, 2009)

Reference List:  “Because they do not provide recoverable data, personal communications are not included in the reference list. Cite personal communication in text only. Give the initials as well as the surname of the communicator, and provide as exact date as possible.”

 

MLA

MLA Style Center See : https://style.mla.org/2016/06/07/how-do-i-document-an-interview-in-mla-style/

In-Text Citation: Use a signal phrase or the interviewees name e.g. (Smith) OR "In an interview with Smith..."

Reference List: Include your name as the interviewer.  Smith, Susan. Interview. By Laksamee Putnam. 22 Oct. 2002.

Chicago (Author-Date)

Sec. 14.218 and 15.48, Chicago Manual 

In-Text Citation:(Jennifer Galbraith, Interview) 

Reference List: “Reference list entries are unneeded, though each person cited must be fully identified elsewhere in the text."

Chicago (Notes-Bibliography)

Sec. 14.218, Chicago Manual See Also: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/07/

In-text Citation:1. Bill Smith, interview by author, Putnam, LA, February 18, 2016.

Reference List: Cite an unpublished interview only in notes.

CSE

Sec. 29.3.7.15.3, CSE manual 

In-text Citation: (2016 conversation between M Jackson and me; unreferenced)

Reference List: “CSE recommends placing references to personal communications such as letters, conversations, lectures, and presentations within the running text, not as formal references.”

ACS

P. 316, ACS Style Guide

In-Text Citation: (Smith, 2015)  

Reference List: Jordan, M. T. University Union, Towson University, Towson, MD. Personal communication, 2015.

Inspired by a Human Book and want to research a topic?

Find a subject librarian and their contact information to assist you in research here: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/library/studenthelp.php?ask-us=1