Interviews (Personal & Published) (Chicago Notes and Bibliography System)

Interviews are invaluable primary sources, offering direct perspectives, firsthand accounts, and expert opinions. The Chicago/Turabian Notes and Bibliography (NB) system has distinct approaches for citing personal (unpublished) interviews versus those that have been published. This guide outlines citation formats for both types, with examples for full notes, shortened notes, and bibliography entries.

1. Personal Interviews (Unpublished)

Personal interviews are those you (the author) or someone else has conducted but have not been formally published. In the Chicago Notes and Bibliography (NB) system, these are typically cited in notes only. If required by your instructor or publisher, they may appear in the bibliography.

Full Note (N):
Name of Interviewee, interview by Author's Name (or "the author"), Place of interview (optional), Date of interview, Type of communication (if not clear, e.g., "email message to author," "personal communication," "audio recording").
Examples:
Maria Suarez (fictional Chicago community organizer), interview by the author, Chicago, IL, May 15, 2025.
John Doe (pseudonym, by request), email message to author, April 5, 2025.
Kenji Tanaka (architect), interview by Sarah Chen, Zoom, March 20, 2025, notes held by Sarah Chen.
Shortened Note (SN):
2. Interviewee's Last Name, interview.
Example: 2. Suarez, interview. 2. Doe, email.
Bibliography Entry (B) (if required):
Interviewee's Last Name, First Name. Interview by Author's Name (or Interviewer's Name). Place of interview (optional), Date of interview. [Description of medium if helpful, e.g., "Author's personal files."].
Example:
Suarez, Maria. Interview by the author. Chicago, IL, May 15, 2025.
Doe, John. Email message to author. April 5, 2025.
Special Considerations:
  • Permission & Ethics: Always obtain informed consent from the interviewee to be cited. Discuss how they wish to be identified (real name, pseudonym).
  • Anonymity: If an interviewee requests anonymity, use a pseudonym or description and state this in your citation.
  • Transcripts vs. Recordings: If you are working from a transcript or notes, mention this if relevant.
  • Interviews Conducted by Author: Indicate this with "interview by the author" or similar phrasing.