How to Cite a Tour Guide: A Comprehensive Guide

Citing sources properly is crucial in academic writing. While many resources are readily understood, some, like citing a tour guide, may seem unclear. This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to cite various non-print sources, including guidance applicable to citing information obtained from a tour guide, adapting established citation styles to fit this unique scenario. While the official style manuals might not explicitly address “tour guides,” the principles of citing personal communication and adapting existing source types can be applied.

Interviews

Interviews are categorized into published, personal, and research participant interviews. Formal citations are only needed for published interviews in your reference list.

• Published Interviews: These appear in radio shows, newspapers, or magazines. Cite them according to the specific reference type (e.g., cite the podcast if the interview is on a podcast). Refer to resources on citing Articles in Periodicals or Electronic Sources for detailed instructions.

• Personal Interviews: Considered personal communication and are not formally cited in the reference list. See the Personal Communication section below.

• Research Participant Interviews: Conducted as part of your research. Mention them in the paper’s body (e.g., “I interviewed fifty participants…”), but do not include them in the reference list.

Presentation at Conference or Symposium

Follow these guidelines whether you’re citing a keynote address, a paper presentation, or a poster presentation. If the presentation is published, follow the guidelines for citation as described in the Other Print Sources. Include a URL if the publication is available online.

Presentation Without an Online Source

Contributor, A. A., Contributor, B. B., Contributor, C. C., & Contributor, D. D. (Year, Month Day). *Title of contribution* [Description of contribution]. Title of Symposium/Conference, Location.

Example:

Matson, E. (2018, Nov. 5). *Drones and autonomous vehicles: The latest new technology to come with potential threat* [Conference session]. Dawn or Doom 2018 Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.

Presentation With Online Source

Contributor, A. A., Contributor, B. B., Contributor, C. C., & Contributor, D. D. (Year, Month Day). *Title of contribution* [Description of contribution]. Title of Symposium/Conference, Location. URL

Example:

Bailey, C. (2019, April 5). *How to get your brain to focus* [Address]. TEDxManchester, Manchester, U.K. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y

Individual Presentation in a Larger Symposium/Panel

Contributor, A. A., Contributor, B. B., Contributor, C. C., & Contributor, D. D. (Year, Month Day). Title of contribution. In E. E. Chairperson & F. F. Chairperson (Chairs), *Title of larger symposium/panel* [Description of symposium/panel] Title of symposium/conference, Location. URL if available

Example:

Fabian, J. J. (2020, May 14). UX in free educational content. In J. S. Doe (Chair), *The case of the Purdue OWL: Accessibility and online content development* [Panel presentation] Computers and Writing 2020, Greenville, NC, United States.

Unpublished Works

When citing a dissertation or manuscript that hasn’t been formally published, describe the work in square brackets. Use the year the work was completed.

Unpublished Manuscript

Barkley, S., Chen, M., & McDonald, P. (2018). *The effects of sodium on children’s health* [Unpublished manuscript]. Department of Biology, University of Cincinnati.

Manuscript in Preparation

Glass, A. (2019). *How avocados changed America* [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Sociology, Michigan State University.

Manuscript Submitted for Publication

Jones, R. (2019). *Walt Whitman and the American Dream* [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of English, University of Mississippi.

Personal Communication

Any communication not directly retrievable by a reader is considered “personal communication.” Examples include emails, phone conversations, text messages, and social media messages. Do not include these in your reference list. Instead, cite the communicator’s name, the phrase “personal communication,” and the date of the communication parenthetically in your text.

Example:

(E. Robbins, personal communication, January 4, 2019).

You can also reference personal communication in a footnote:

1. P. Smith (personal communication, November 3, 2019) also claimed that many of her students had difficulties with APA style.

Whenever possible, try to find an original source. For instance, if a friend mentions a research study heard on a podcast, cite the podcast instead of the communication with your friend.

Adapting Personal Communication Citation for a Tour Guide

Since a tour guide’s information is often delivered verbally and not documented, treat it as personal communication. Include the tour guide’s name (if known), the phrase “personal communication,” the date of the tour, and the location or context of the tour. If the tour guide provided a handout or brochure, consider citing that as a “gray literature” source, if appropriate, and include it in your references.

For instance, if John Doe, a guide at the Colosseum, provided you with information on January 15, 2024, you would cite it as follows in your text:

(J. Doe, personal communication, January 15, 2024, Colosseum, Rome).

If you have a brochure:

Doe, J. (2024). The Colosseum: A brief guide. [Brochure]. Colosseum, Rome.

Best Practices for Citing a Tour Guide

• Record Details: Note the tour guide’s full name, the date and location of the tour, and any relevant affiliations (e.g., the name of the tour company).
• Take Notes: Carefully document the information provided during the tour.
• Verify Information: Whenever possible, cross-reference the tour guide’s information with reliable, published sources. This enhances the credibility of your work.
• Be Specific: When citing, provide as much detail as possible to contextualize the source.

Conclusion

While standard citation styles may not have explicit rules for every type of source, understanding the underlying principles allows for appropriate adaptation. By treating information from a tour guide as personal communication and supplementing it with verifiable sources, you can accurately and ethically incorporate this unique knowledge into your academic work. Accurately citing a tour guide not only gives credit where it is due but also contributes to the overall integrity and trustworthiness of your research.