How do I cite an email in Bluebook?

To cite an email in Bluebook (21st edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the Bluebook format for an email citation?

The Bluebook format requires specific elements like author, title, date, and source location arranged in a particular order.

What does the in-text citation look like for an email in Bluebook?

In Bluebook, the in-text citation for the example above is Henri Delacroix, Re: Draft Chapter Feedback, (2024).

How to Cite an Email in Bluebook (21st edition)

Learn how to cite emails, letters, and personal communications in Bluebook format (21st edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

Bluebook Bibliography Format

Here is the standard Bluebook format for citing an email in your bibliography:

Bluebook Example for an Email

Bluebook does not give an email an entry in the bibliography — it is cited in a note only. Here is that note, formatted by the official Bluebook CSL style definition:

Henri Delacroix, Re: Draft Chapter Feedback, (2024).

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your email.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the Bluebook (21st edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Bluebook requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model.

CSL style record: bluebook.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an email in Bluebook?: To cite an email in Bluebook (21st edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the Bluebook format for an email citation?: The Bluebook format requires specific elements like author, title, date, and source location arranged in a particular order.
What does the in-text citation look like for an email in Bluebook?: In Bluebook, the in-text citation for the example above is Henri Delacroix, Re: Draft Chapter Feedback, (2024).