How to in-text cite with multiple authors in MLA format is an essential skill for students and researchers who adhere to the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style. Properly citing multiple authors in your text not only gives credit to the original sources but also helps readers locate the original material. In this article, we will discuss the guidelines and examples for in-text citation with multiple authors in MLA format.
The MLA style guide recommends using the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses when citing a source with multiple authors. The format varies depending on the number of authors involved. Let’s explore the different scenarios and their corresponding citation formats.
When citing a source with two authors, simply list both authors’ last names in the parentheses, followed by the page number. For example:
– (Smith and Johnson 123)
In this case, “Smith” and “Johnson” are the last names of the two authors, and “123” represents the page number where the cited information is found.
For sources with three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the parentheses, separated by commas. For instance:
– (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, and Wilson 456)
Here, “Smith,” “Johnson,” “Brown,” “Davis,” and “Wilson” are the last names of the authors, and “456” is the page number.
When a source has more than five authors, list the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the page number. For example:
– (Smith et al. 789)
In this instance, “Smith” is the last name of the first author, “et al.” indicates that there are additional authors, and “789” is the page number.
It’s important to note that when using in-text citations with multiple authors, you should ensure that the author names are spelled correctly and that the page number is accurate. Additionally, if you are citing a source that has been previously cited by another author, you should use the original author’s name in the parentheses, even if the source you are using has a different author. For example:
– (Smith 123)
In this case, “Smith” is the last name of the original author, and “123” is the page number where the cited information is found.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively in-text cite sources with multiple authors in MLA format. Proper citation not only demonstrates academic integrity but also allows readers to trace the source material and gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand.
