How to Cite APA in Text with 3 Authors
Citing sources in APA format is an essential part of academic writing. One common scenario is when you need to cite a source that has three authors. This article will guide you through the process of how to cite APA in text with three authors, ensuring that your in-text citations are accurate and consistent.
When citing a source with three authors in APA format, you have two options: the author-date method and the author-year method.
1. Author-Date Method: This method involves placing the authors’ last names and the year of publication in parentheses, followed by the page number(s) where the information is found. For example:
(Smith, Johnson, & Brown, 2020, p. 15)
In this example, “Smith, Johnson, & Brown” are the authors, “2020” is the year of publication, and “p. 15” indicates the page number where the information is located.
2. Author-Year Method: This method is similar to the author-date method but omits the page number. It is used when you mention the author’s name in the sentence itself. For example:
Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020) conducted a study on the effects of climate change on coastal cities.
In this example, the authors’ names and the year of publication are included in the sentence, making the page number unnecessary.
It’s important to note that when citing a source with three authors, you should always include all three names in the in-text citation, even if you have cited the source earlier in your paper.
For instance, if you have already cited the source with three authors earlier in your paper, you can use the following format:
(Smith et al., 2020)
Here, “et al.” is an abbreviation for “et alii,” which means “and others.” It is used to indicate that there are more than two authors.
When citing a source with three authors in APA format, it’s crucial to follow the guidelines strictly to maintain consistency and accuracy in your academic writing.
By using the author-date or author-year method and including all three authors’ names in the in-text citation, you can ensure that your citations are both correct and professional. Remember to always check the latest APA guidelines for any updates or changes to the formatting rules.
