To cite personal communication, you should parenthetically include the communicator's name, the phrase "personal communication," and the date of the communication directly within your main text, rather than in your formal reference list.
Citing Personal Communication in Your Text
Personal communications include details from sources that your reader cannot retrieve, such as emails, telephone conversations, personal interviews, or informal discussions. Because these sources are not accessible to the broader audience, they are not typically included in the official reference list at the end of your document.
As per the guidelines provided (dated 28-Oct-2021), the correct method for citing personal communication is as follows: "No personal communication is included in your reference list; instead, parenthetically cite the communicator's name, the phrase "personal communication," and the date of the communication in your main text only."
Essential Elements for In-Text Citation
When citing personal communication, you must include specific pieces of information within your text. These elements ensure clarity and provide necessary context for your readers.
| Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Communicator's Name | The full name of the individual who provided the communication. | J. Doe |
| Type of Communication | The specific phrase "personal communication" to indicate the source's nature. | personal communication |
| Date | The exact date the communication occurred, providing a specific timestamp. | October 26, 2023 |
Examples of In-Text Personal Communication Citations
Here are common ways to integrate personal communication citations into your writing:
- Within a sentence: "The new policy changes were well-received by the department (J. Doe, personal communication, October 26, 2023)."
- Introducing a quote or paraphrase: According to J. Doe (personal communication, October 26, 2023), the initial project timeline was overly ambitious.
- At the end of a sentence: Significant progress has been made on the research initiative (J. Doe, personal communication, October 26, 2023).
Why Personal Communications Aren't in Your Reference List
The primary reason personal communications are excluded from your reference list is their non-recoverable nature. Unlike published books, journal articles, or publicly accessible websites, a reader cannot independently access or verify the content of a private email, phone call, or informal conversation. The in-text citation serves to acknowledge the source of the information without requiring the reader to locate an unlocatable source.
When to Cite Personal Communication
You should cite personal communication whenever you incorporate information obtained directly from an individual through private, non-archived channels. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Email messages
- Text messages
- Online chats or direct messages (e.g., via social media platforms)
- Informal interviews (not formally published or publicly accessible)
- Telephone conversations
- Unpublished letters or memos
- Casual discussions or private conversations
