How to Cite 3 Authors in APA 7
In the realm of academic writing, proper citation is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors of the work. When citing three authors in APA 7th edition, it is important to follow the specific formatting guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite three authors in APA 7.
1. Basic Format
When citing three authors in APA 7, the basic format involves listing all three authors’ last names followed by the publication date in parentheses. If the source has a title, include it in quotation marks. Here’s an example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M. (2020). “Title of the article.” Journal of Psychology, 15(3), 45-60.
2. In-text Citation
In-text citations for three authors are straightforward. Simply list the last names of the authors followed by the publication year. For example:
(Smith, Johnson, & Brown, 2020)
If you mention the authors’ names in your text, you can omit the publication year:
Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020) conducted a study…
3. Reference List Entry
In the reference list, you will need to provide the full details of the source. Here’s an example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M. (2020). “Title of the article.” Journal of Psychology, 15(3), 45-60.
In this example, the authors’ names are listed in alphabetical order, followed by the publication date, the title of the article, the name of the journal, the volume number, the issue number, and the page range.
4. Exceptions
There are a few exceptions to consider when citing three authors in APA 7:
– If the source has more than three authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the publication year. For example: Smith, J., et al. (2020).
– If the source is a book, include the editor’s name after the authors’ names. For example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M. (Eds.). (2020).
– If the source is a web page or an online article, include the URL in the reference list entry.
5. Conclusion
Citing three authors in APA 7 is a straightforward process, as long as you follow the basic format and pay attention to any exceptions. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your academic writing is accurate, consistent, and maintains the integrity of the original authors’ work.
