Understanding APA Style 7th Edition for Personal Communication
If you are a student, academician or researcher, it is essential to follow the APA style rules for communication. The American Psychological Association (APA) has recently updated the 7th edition of its manual, which provides guidelines for consistent and concise communication.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the most recent APA updates as they relate to personal communication. We will discuss the general format, in-text citations, and reference list entries for personal communication. Let’s dive right in.
General Format
Personal communication includes communication that happens in real-time, such as face-to-face meetings, phone calls or text messages. Unlike published communication, personal communication is not recoverable, and therefore should not be included in the reference list.
In-text Citations
When citing personal communication in text, provide the initials and last name of the communicator, followed by the type of communication and the date. For example:
(J. Smith, personal communication, March 4, 2022)
If the communicator prefers anonymity, only use the communication type and the date. For example:
(personal communication, March 4, 2022)
Reference List Entries
As mentioned earlier, personal communications are not included in the reference list. However, if personal communication is included as supplemental material, such as an interview transcript, it should be cited accordingly.
If the supplemental material is not published or directly accessible, provide the following details in the citation:
Author’s Last name, First Initial(s). (Year, Month Day). Title of communication [Description of communication]. Accessed Day Month Year from URL
For example:
Smith, J. (2022, March 4). Interview with author [Unpublished personal interview]. Accessed April 1, 2022 from https://www.example.com
Conclusion
In summary, understanding the APA Style 7th Edition for personal communication is essential for scholars, academics and researchers. When citing personal communication in text, provide the communicator’s initials and last name, followed by the type of communication and the date. Personal communication should not be included in the reference list unless it is published or directly accessible.
With the above guidelines, you can maintain clarity and consistency in citing personal communication sources while adhering to the APA Style 7th Edition guidelines.
