How to In-Text Cite Multiple Authors APA
In academic writing, citing sources is an essential aspect of maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors. When it comes to citing multiple authors in APA format, there are specific guidelines to follow. This article will provide a detailed explanation on how to in-text cite multiple authors in APA format.
Formatting Multiple Authors in APA
According to the APA Publication Manual, when citing multiple authors in the text, you should include all authors’ last names, separated by commas, followed by the date of publication. Here’s an example:
– (Smith, Johnson, & Doe, 2020)
If the source has more than three authors, you can include the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the date of publication. For instance:
– (Smith et al., 2020)
Citing Two Authors
When citing two authors, simply list both authors’ last names followed by the publication date. For example:
– (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
If you are referring to a source in the text and need to mention both authors, you can do so by using “and” between their names. For example:
– Smith and Johnson (2020) conducted a study…
Citing Three to Five Authors
When citing three to five authors, list all authors’ last names in the order they appear in the source, separated by commas, and end with the publication date. For example:
– (Smith, Johnson, Doe, Smith, & Brown, 2020)
In the text, you can mention all authors by name or use the phrase “et al.” to indicate that there are more than three authors. For example:
– According to Smith et al. (2020),…
Citing More Than Five Authors
When citing more than five authors, follow the same format as for three to five authors but include the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” and the publication date. For example:
– (Smith et al., 2020)
In the text, you can use “et al.” to indicate that there are more than five authors. For example:
– Smith et al. (2020) found that…
Conclusion
In-text citing multiple authors in APA format involves following specific guidelines for formatting the author list and the publication date. By adhering to these rules, you can ensure that your academic writing is accurate, credible, and respectful of the original authors’ work. Remember to always double-check the APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.
