How to in-text cite multiple authors in MLA
In MLA citation style, when you need to cite a source that has more than one author, it’s important to follow the proper format to ensure accuracy and consistency. In-text citations are brief references to the source within your text, and they help readers locate the full citation in the Works Cited list. This article will guide you through the process of how to in-text cite multiple authors in MLA.
When citing a source with two authors, simply list both names in the text, separated by an ampersand (&). For example:
“The study found that both physical activity and mental health are crucial for overall well-being (Smith & Johnson, 2020).”
When citing a source with three or more authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) to indicate that there are additional authors. For example:
“Research indicates that social media usage has a significant impact on self-esteem, with findings showing a correlation between high social media use and lower self-esteem (Miller et al., 2019).”
It’s important to note that when using “et al.,” you should still include the year of publication in the in-text citation. This helps readers quickly identify the source without having to refer to the Works Cited list. For example:
“According to recent studies, climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action (Smith et al., 2021).”
When citing a source with multiple authors and a subtitle, include the subtitle in parentheses after the author names. For example:
“The book explores the impact of technology on society (Smith et al., 2020).”
Lastly, if you need to cite a source with multiple authors and the source has been reprinted or translated, include the relevant information in the in-text citation. For example:
“The original work was translated into English by Johnson (Smith et al., 2020).”
By following these guidelines, you can effectively in-text cite multiple authors in MLA. Remember to always double-check the formatting and ensure that your in-text citations match the full citations in your Works Cited list. This will help maintain consistency and accuracy in your academic writing.
