How to Cite Multiple Authors MLA in Text Citation
In academic writing, it is common to reference works by multiple authors. Properly citing these sources in MLA format is essential for avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the original authors. This article will guide you on how to cite multiple authors in MLA in-text citations.
Understanding MLA In-text Citations
MLA in-text citations are brief references to the source within the text of your paper. They typically include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. When citing multiple authors, the format may vary depending on the number of authors and the order in which they appear in the source.
Citing Two Authors
When citing two authors in MLA, simply list both authors’ last names in the parentheses, followed by the page number. For example:
> (Smith and Johnson 45)
If you mention the authors’ names in the text, you can omit the parentheses and page number:
> Smith and Johnson argue that…
Citing Three or More Authors
For three or more authors, you can include all the authors’ last names in the first citation, but subsequent citations should use only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). Here’s an example:
> In their study, Smith, Johnson, and Brown (45) found…
Subsequent citations would be:
> Smith et al. (50)
Citing Works with No Known Author
If a work has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author’s name. For example:
> (The Great Gatsby 45)
Formatting Multiple Works by the Same Author
When citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title to differentiate between the works. For example:
> In his novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald (45) explores…
Subsequent citations would use the shortened title:
> Fitzgerald (50)
Using Quotations with Multiple Authors
When quoting from a source with multiple authors, include the author’s last name and page number in the quotation. If the quote is part of a longer sentence, place the citation at the end of the sentence:
> According to Smith and Johnson, “The results of the study were significant” (45).
If the quote is a standalone sentence, place the citation after the quote:
> “The results of the study were significant” (Smith and Johnson 45).
Conclusion
Properly citing multiple authors in MLA in-text citations is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent with MLA format.
