How to Cite Two Authors in an Essay
Citing two authors in an essay can be a bit tricky, but with the right guidelines, you can ensure that your references are accurate and consistent. Whether you are using APA, MLA, Chicago, or another citation style, it is important to follow the specific rules for citing two authors. In this article, we will discuss the general principles and provide examples for each citation style.
APA Style
When citing two authors in APA style, you simply list both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the publication date in parentheses. If you are paraphrasing, use a signal phrase to introduce the authors’ names. Here’s an example:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the impact of climate change on coastal cities is significant.
If you are directly quoting, include the page number after the date:
Smith and Johnson (2020, p. 15) argue that rising sea levels pose a severe threat to coastal communities.
In the reference list, list both authors’ last names and the publication date:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal cities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 5(2), 78-95.
MLA Style
In MLA style, you also list both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the publication date in parentheses. If you are paraphrasing, use a signal phrase to introduce the authors’ names. Here’s an example:
Smith and Johnson (2020) suggest that climate change is a significant threat to coastal cities.
When directly quoting, include the page number after the date:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020, p. 15), “Rising sea levels pose a severe threat to coastal communities.”
In the Works Cited list, list both authors’ last names and the publication date:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 78-95.
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, you have two options for citing two authors: the author-date system or footnotes/endnotes. For the author-date system, list both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the publication date in parentheses. Here’s an example:
Smith and Johnson (2020) emphasize the importance of addressing climate change.
When directly quoting, include the page number after the date:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020, p. 15), “Rising sea levels pose a severe threat to coastal communities.”
In the Works Cited list, list both authors’ last names and the publication date:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 78-95.
For footnotes/endnotes, the format is similar, but you will include the footnotes/endnotes number after the date:
1. Smith and Johnson (2020) argue that climate change is a significant threat to coastal cities.
In the footnotes/endnotes, provide the full citation:
1. John Smith and Lisa Johnson, “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities,” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 5, no. 2 (2020), pp. 78-95.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite two authors in your essay, ensuring that your references are accurate and consistent with the chosen citation style.
