How to in-text cite with 3 authors APA
In academic writing, proper citation is crucial for giving credit to the original authors of the ideas and information used. When citing sources with three authors in APA format, it is important to follow the specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to in-text cite with three authors in APA format.
Step 1: Identify the authors
The first step in citing a source with three authors in APA format is to identify the authors. Make sure to include the last names and initials of all three authors in the order they appear on the source.
Step 2: Use the author-date method
In APA format, the author-date method is used for in-text citations. This method involves including the author’s last name, the publication year, and the page number (if applicable) in parentheses after the cited information. For sources with three authors, the format is as follows:
(Author1, Author2, & Author3, Year, p. Page number)
For example, if you are citing a source by Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020) on page 25, the in-text citation would be:
(Smith, Johnson, & Brown, 2020, p. 25)
Step 3: Omit the authors in subsequent citations
If you need to cite the same source multiple times within the same paragraph or section, you can omit the authors in subsequent citations. Instead, use the publication year and page number in parentheses:
(2020, p. 25)
This helps to avoid repetition and keeps the text more concise.
Step 4: Use the et al. abbreviation for more than three authors
If a source has more than three authors, you can use the abbreviation “et al.” (meaning “and others”) after the first author’s name. For example:
(Smith et al., 2020, p. 25)
This format is used for all subsequent citations of the same source with more than three authors.
Step 5: Follow the reference list format
In addition to in-text citations, it is important to provide a complete reference list at the end of your document. The reference list should include all the sources cited in your paper, formatted according to APA guidelines. For a source with three authors, the reference list entry would look like this:
Smith, A., Johnson, B., & Brown, C. (2020). Title of the source. Journal Name, 10(2), 25-30.
By following these steps, you can effectively in-text cite a source with three authors in APA format. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps to maintain the integrity of your research and academic work.
