How to Cite Something with Many Authors
In academic writing, it is common to encounter sources with multiple authors. Properly citing such sources is crucial for giving credit to the original authors and avoiding plagiarism. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to cite something with many authors in different citation styles.
APA Citation Style
According to the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style, when citing a source with three or more authors, you should list only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). For example:
> (Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020)
If the source has more than one author, but only one is mentioned in the text, you can use the following format:
> According to Smith et al. (2020), …
When citing a source with many authors in a reference list, include all authors’ last names, initials, and the publication year:
> Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Williams, A. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal communities.
MLA Citation Style
In MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style, when citing a source with three or more authors, you should list only the first author followed by “et al.” However, you should include all authors’ names in the Works Cited list. For example:
> Smith, Jane, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-20.
When citing a source with many authors in the text, you can use the following format:
> According to Smith et al. (2020), …
In the Works Cited list, include all authors’ names, the title of the work, the title of the journal, volume, issue, publication year, and page numbers:
> Smith, Jane, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-20.
Chicago Citation Style
In Chicago citation style, when citing a source with three or more authors, you should list only the first author followed by “et al.” For example:
> Smith, Johnson, and Williams (2020)
When citing a source with many authors in the text, you can use the following format:
> According to Smith et al. (2020), …
In the bibliography, include all authors’ names, the title of the work, the title of the journal, volume, issue, publication year, and page numbers:
> Smith, Jane, et al. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Communities.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-20.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite sources with many authors in different citation styles, ensuring academic integrity and giving proper credit to the original authors.
