How do you cite something with multiple authors? Citing a source with multiple authors can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the rules of citation. However, with a clear understanding of the guidelines, you can effectively cite a source with multiple authors in any academic writing. In this article, we will discuss the different citation styles and provide examples to help you navigate through this process.
Citing a source with multiple authors requires you to follow specific rules, depending on the citation style you are using. The most common citation styles are APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Each style has its own set of rules for formatting the author names and the publication information. Let’s take a look at how to cite a source with multiple authors in each of these styles.
APA Style
In APA style, when citing a source with multiple authors, you list all the authors’ last names and initials in the order they appear in the source. If there are more than six authors, list the first six authors followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). Here’s an example:
> “In a study by Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2019), it was found that…” or “Smith, Johnson, Brown, et al. (2019) found that…”
MLA Style
In MLA style, you also list all the authors’ last names and first initials in the order they appear in the source. However, MLA style uses a slightly different format for in-text citations. Here’s an example:
> “Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2019) found that…”
For the Works Cited page, you would format the entry as follows:
> Smith, John, et al. “Title of the Article.” Journal Name, vol. 10, no. 2, 2019, pp. 123-145.
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, you have two options for citing a source with multiple authors: the author-date system and the notes-bibliography system. In the author-date system, you list all the authors’ last names and first initials, followed by the publication year. Here’s an example:
> Smith, John, et al. 2019. “Title of the Article.” Journal Name, 10(2): 123-145.
In the notes-bibliography system, you would use footnotes or endnotes to cite the source, and the entry in the bibliography would be formatted as follows:
> Smith, John, et al. “Title of the Article.” Journal Name 10, no. 2 (2019): 123-145.
Harvard Style
In Harvard style, you list all the authors’ last names and first initials, followed by the publication year. Here’s an example:
> Smith, J., Johnson, J., & Brown, B. (2019). “Title of the Article.” Journal Name, 10(2), 123-145.
Remember that these are just examples, and the actual formatting may vary depending on the specific requirements of your academic institution or publication.
In conclusion, citing a source with multiple authors is a crucial skill for any academic writer. By understanding the rules of different citation styles, you can effectively cite sources with multiple authors and maintain the integrity of your research. Always refer to the specific guidelines provided by your institution or publication to ensure accurate citation.
