Set up your essay's thesis statement and develop the ideas you intend to explore.
When compelled to make personal reference, use the first-person singular pronoun, "I." For example, "While personally corresponding with a number of experts, I noticed an alarming trend." Avoid using "this writer."
Consult citation and style guidelines specified by your professor in her syllabus or in his assignment rubric. If no citation style is specified, defer to the field standard. Psychologists, nurses, and education professionals, for instance, follow the American Psychological Association style manual, while literature professors use the Modern Language Association style book.
Follow citation guidelines to construct an entry for your works-cited page. Enter your full name with any professional accreditation, followed by information relevant to your source material. Whether you are using APA or MLA style, follow the formatting order for "personal communication," which covers everything from emails to informal interviews.