How to reference personal communications in MLA format?

Personal communications like emails or interviews require in-text citations only in MLA style and are excluded from the Works Cited list. Cite them parenthetically within the text by specifying the communicator and the type of communication. Key elements include the communicator's name (if not named in text), a descriptor like "email" or "personal interview," and the exact date of communication. Always obtain explicit permission before citing private correspondence. This format applies solely to private, unpublished exchanges. Use the following structure: (Name, Descriptor, Date). For example: (Doe, Email, 5 May 2024) or a signal phrase: As Jane Smith clarified in a personal interview (25 Mar. 2024). This method accurately directs readers to the source while respecting privacy and acknowledging unpublished contributions within the narrative.