Mastering APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Personal Communications
If you are a student or researcher who works with personal communications in your academic writing, it is important to understand the guidelines for citing them in your APA Style 7th Edition manuscript. Personal communications include conversations, emails, letters, text messages, and other non-retrievable sources. In this article, we will explore the rules for citing personal communications and provide examples to help you master the APA Style 7th Edition.
The Basics of APA Style 7th Edition
According to the APA Style 7th Edition, personal communications should be cited in-text only, and not included in the reference list. The citation should provide the name of the person communicating, the words “personal communication,” and the exact date the communication was made. The format for the citation should be: (A. B. Surname, personal communication, Month day, year).
Examples of Personal Communication Citations
To give you a better understanding of how to cite personal communications in APA Style 7th Edition, here are some examples:
- A conversation with a friend, Jane Doe, on January 25, 2022: (J. Doe, personal communication, January 25, 2022).
- An email from a colleague, John Smith, on December 15, 2021: (J. Smith, personal communication, December 15, 2021).
- A letter from a client, Mary Johnson, on August 1, 2021: (M. Johnson, personal communication, August 1, 2021).
- A text message from a family member, Tim Miller, on November 10, 2021: (T. Miller, personal communication, November 10, 2021).
Exceptions to Personal Communication Citations
It’s important to note that personal communications should only be cited in-text if they are not retrievable. If the communication can be referenced in a database or an archive, it should be cited accordingly. For example, if you received an email from a professor and you saved the email or it’s stored in your university’s email system, it should be cited as a personal communication. However, if the email was sent from the professor’s institutional email account and can be retrieved from the institution’s archives, it should be cited as an email.
Conclusion
In conclusion, citing personal communications in APA Style 7th Edition is straightforward. Remember to include the name of the person communicating and the exact date of the communication in your in-text citation. Personal communications should not be included in your reference list, but if the communication is retrievable, it should be cited accordingly. Following these guidelines will help you successfully cite personal communications in your academic writing.
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