How to Cite a Journal Article MLA with Multiple Authors
Citing a journal article with multiple authors in MLA format can sometimes be a bit confusing, especially for those who are new to academic writing. The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities, and it provides specific guidelines for formatting in-text citations and the Works Cited list. In this article, we will walk you through the process of citing a journal article with multiple authors in MLA format.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a journal article with multiple authors in MLA format, the in-text citation should include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found. If there are three or more authors, you can list only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). Here’s an example:
– (Smith et al. 23)
In this example, “Smith” is the last name of the first author, and “et al.” indicates that there are additional authors. The number “23” represents the page number where the cited information is located.
Formatting the Works Cited Entry
The Works Cited entry for a journal article with multiple authors should include the following information:
1. Author(s) – List the authors in the order they appear on the article. Separate the names with commas, and use an ampersand (&) before the last name.
2. Article Title – Place the article title in quotation marks.
3. Journal Title – Italicize the title of the journal.
4. Volume and Issue Number – Include the volume and issue number of the journal, separated by a comma.
5. Year of Publication – List the year the article was published.
6. Page Numbers – Include the page numbers of the article.
7. Database or Website Name (if applicable) – If the article is accessed online, include the name of the database or website.
Here’s an example of a Works Cited entry for a journal article with multiple authors:
– Smith, John, et al. “The Impact of Technology on Literature.” _Journal of Humanities_, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 23-35.
In this example, “Smith, John, et al.” is the author list, “The Impact of Technology on Literature” is the article title, “_Journal of Humanities_” is the journal title, “vol. 12, no. 3” represents the volume and issue number, “2020” is the year of publication, and “pp. 23-35” indicates the page numbers.
Remembering the Guidelines
To ensure accuracy when citing a journal article with multiple authors in MLA format, keep the following guidelines in mind:
1. Use commas to separate authors’ names.
2. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
3. Use “et al.” to indicate that there are additional authors.
4. Follow the MLA guidelines for formatting the Works Cited entry.
5. Pay attention to the page numbers and year of publication.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to properly cite a journal article with multiple authors in MLA format, ensuring that your academic work is both credible and well-researched.
