How do I cite an email in CSE?

To cite an email in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

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

In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Delacroix 2024)

How to Cite an Email in CSE (8th edition)

Learn how to cite emails, letters, and personal communications in CSE format (8th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

CSE Reference List Format

Here is the standard CSE format for citing an email in your reference list:

Not included in the reference list — CSE cites emails as personal communications in the text only (e.g. “2024 email from A. B. Sender to author; unreferenced”).

CSE Example for an Email

A complete CSE reference for an email, formatted by the official CSE CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Delacroix H. 2024. Re: Draft chapter feedback.

Matching in-text citation: (Delacroix 2024)

Key CSE Formatting Rules

CSE treats emails as personal communications, cited in the text only.
Do not list the email in the end references; an optional “Notes” section may record it.
Give the year, “email,” the sender, and the recipient in the in-text mention.
Use the name-year or citation-sequence system consistently with the rest of your paper.

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 CSE (8th 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 reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match CSE 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: cse.csl

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an email in CSE?: To cite an email in CSE (8th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the CSE format for an email citation?: The CSE format for an email is: Not included in the reference list — CSE cites emails as personal communications in the text only (e.g. “2024 email from A. B. Sender to author; unreferenced”).
What does the in-text citation look like for an email in CSE?: In CSE, the in-text citation for the example above is (Delacroix 2024)