Guidelines for Citing Articles with Multiple Authors in Academic Writing

by liuqiyue

How do you cite an article with multiple authors? Citing a source with multiple authors can sometimes be confusing, especially when it comes to formatting and structure. However, with the right guidelines, you can ensure that your citation is accurate and follows the appropriate style. In this article, we will explore the different citation styles and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to cite an article with multiple authors.

When citing an article with multiple authors, it is important to first identify the number of authors. If there are three or fewer authors, you should list all of their names in the citation. For example, in APA style, you would write: “Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020) conducted a study on the effects of climate change.” In MLA style, you would write: “Smith, Johnson, and Brown. “Climate Change.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 45-58.”

However, if there are more than three authors, you should list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) in the citation. For example, in APA style, you would write: “Smith, Johnson, Brown, et al. (2020) examined the impact of social media on mental health.” In MLA style, you would write: “Smith, Johnson, Brown, et al. “Social Media and Mental Health.” Journal of Psychology, vol. 5, no. 3, 2020, pp. 78-92.”

Next, you will need to include the title of the article, the title of the journal, the volume and issue number (if applicable), the year of publication, and the page numbers. For example, in APA style, you would write: “Smith, J., Johnson, B., & Brown, R. (2020). Climate change. Journal of Environmental Studies, 5(2), 45-58.” In MLA style, you would write: “Smith, John, et al. “Climate Change.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 45-58.”

It is also important to note that the formatting may vary depending on the citation style you are using. For example, APA style requires the author names to be inverted (last name, first initial), while MLA style does not. Additionally, APA style uses parentheses for the publication date and page numbers, while MLA style uses a period after each element in the citation.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you correctly cite an article with multiple authors in the appropriate citation style. Remember to always double-check your work and consult the specific guidelines for your academic institution or publication to ensure accuracy.

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