How to Cite Personal Communication in MLA

• Written by Rebecca Cahill

• Published on 12/10/2025

Personal communication can include content received directly or accessed at a later date. If the information was communicated directly to you as the researcher, the material would be considered personal communication. There are times when conversations, interviews, letters, and text messages will be cited from a published source. In those cases, you would include details regarding both the original creator and the publication source. 

Elements of the Citation

• Creator: Name of the person writing the letter, being interviewed, sending a text message, or sharing information in a conversation.
• Title of Source: Type of personal communication. 
• Recipient of Communication: Researcher OR name of the person conducting the conversation and/or interview or receiving a letter and/or text message.
• Date: Date the information was spoken, written, or sent. 
• Document Type: For a letter, include Manuscript (handwritten) or Typescript (typed document). 

Example 1: Conversation

A conversation in which you as a researcher participated directly. This could include a one-on-one conversation or a small group discussion.

Citation	Percy, Tanya. Personal communication with the author. 10 Feb. 2016.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Personal communication with the author. Date of communication.

Example 2: Interview 

When you conduct an in-person interview to be used directly in your research, you will only need to gather the creator’s name and date of the interview.

Citation	Carnes, Carmen. Interview with the author. 17 Mar. 2023.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Interview with the author. Date of communication.

If you were included in an unpublished interview, but you were not the interviewer, you will need to include the name of the direct recipient of the interview responses. 

Citation	Donovan, Jeana. Interview. Conducted by Tyson O’Neill, 24 Sept. 2005.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Interview. Conducted by Interviewer Name, Date of communication.

If an interview is conducted via telephone, you will need to include this detail in the citation. 

Citation	Hunter, Shaw. Telephone interview with the author. 29 Nov. 2022.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Telephone interview with the author. Date of communication.

Example 3: Text Message

If you were the direct recipient of a text message, you will need to include information on the creator and the date the message was sent. 

Citation	Horowitz, Adi. Text message to the author. 30 Apr. 2019.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Text message to the author. Date of communication.

If you have access to a text message sent to another person, which has not been published, you will need to include information about the creator as well as the direct recipient. 

Citation	Baylor, Palmer. Text message to Kiraan Mohankumar. 3 Dec. 2012.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Text message to Recipient Name. Date of communication.

Example 4: Letter

If you have received direct correspondence to be used in your research, you will need to include the creator’s name and the date the message was written. 

Citation	Perkins, Dave. Letter to the author. 22 Jun. 2004. Manuscript.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Letter to the author. Date of communication. Document style.

If you have access to a letter to another recipient, which is not part of a published collection, you will need details regarding the creator, the original recipient, and the date the communication was written. 

Citation	Massersmith, Paula. Letter to Thomas Smithton. 12 Jan. 2024. Typescript.
Structure	Surname, First Name. Letter to Recipient Name. Date of communication. Document style.

Be aware of ethical considerations when accessing personal communication. If you were the direct recipient of a piece of communication, it is appropriate to use the content as a part of your research. When you are given access to unpublished personal documents or messages, be sure to consider the source of the content. If you are not certain, contact the research center at your institution.  Personal communication cited in MLA style will not include italicization.  Citations for personal communication are often shorter in length. If the citation extends to a second line, there should be a half inch indentation.