How to Cite APA with Multiple Authors in Text
Citing sources in APA style is an essential part of academic writing, as it helps to give credit to the original authors and prevent plagiarism. When dealing with a reference that has multiple authors, it’s important to follow the correct format to ensure accuracy and consistency. In this article, we will discuss how to cite APA with multiple authors in text, including examples and guidelines to help you get it right every time.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a source with multiple authors in APA style, the in-text citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication. If the reference has two authors, simply list both names. For three to five authors, list all names in the first citation, then use “et al.” (meaning “and others”) for subsequent citations. For more than five authors, list only the first author followed by “et al.” Here are some examples:
– (Smith & Johnson, 2020)
– (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020)
– (Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, & Davis, 2020)
– (Smith et al., 2020)
Formatting the Reference List Entry
In the reference list, the format for multiple authors is similar to the in-text citation. The only difference is that you need to include the publication date, the title of the work, the source, and any other relevant information. Here’s an example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Williams, R., Brown, M., & Davis, S. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-58.
Additional Guidelines
– When using in-text citations, always ensure that the author’s last name is followed by a comma and the year of publication.
– If you need to include page numbers or other specific information in your in-text citation, use parentheses and include the necessary details.
– In the reference list, capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title, including any proper nouns.
– If the source has no known author, use a shortened version of the title as the author’s name in the in-text citation and reference list.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite APA with multiple authors in text and ensure that your academic writing is both accurate and professional.
