Free · ACS Style Guide 2026
Cite a Personal Communication in ACS Style
Enter the name of the person and the type of communication.
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ACS Personal Communication Format
Johnson, R. Personal Communication. 2024.
About This Source Type
Personal communications — including emails, letters, telephone calls, and text messages — can be cited in ACS style when the information is not available in a published source. The citation is brief: the person's name, the type of communication, and the year.
Key Formatting Tips
- 1Keep the citation brief — just name, type, and year
- 2Get permission from the person before citing them
- 3Consider whether a published source would be more appropriate
- 4Personal communications cannot be verified by readers — use sparingly