How to Do Narrative Citation with Multiple Authors
Narrative citation is a crucial aspect of academic writing, especially when dealing with sources that have multiple authors. Properly citing multiple authors in a narrative style can be challenging, but it is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit where it is due. In this article, we will discuss the steps and guidelines for how to do narrative citation with multiple authors.
Understanding the Basics of Narrative Citation
Before diving into the specifics of citing multiple authors, it is important to understand the basics of narrative citation. Narrative citation is a style of citation that incorporates the author’s name into the text, followed by the publication date in parentheses. This style is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, and it allows readers to easily identify the source within the text.
Formatting Multiple Authors in Narrative Citation
When citing a source with multiple authors in narrative style, there are a few key rules to follow:
1. List all authors’ names in the order they appear in the source.
2. Separate the authors’ names with commas, except for the last author’s name, which should be preceded by “and.”
3. Include the publication date in parentheses after the authors’ names.
For example, if you are citing a source with three authors, the narrative citation would look like this: “Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020) argue that…”
Citing Sources with More Than Three Authors
When a source has more than three authors, you have a couple of options for how to format the narrative citation:
1. List the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the publication date in parentheses. For example: “Smith et al. (2020) found that…”
2. Alternatively, you can list the first author followed by the last name of the second author, then “et al.” and the publication date in parentheses. For example: “Smith and Brown et al. (2020) suggest that…”
Formatting In-text Citations with Multiple Authors
When citing a source with multiple authors in the text, it is important to maintain consistency in your in-text citations. Here are some guidelines to follow:
1. If you mention the author’s name in the sentence, include the publication date in parentheses after the name.
2. If you do not mention the author’s name in the sentence, include the publication date in parentheses after the relevant information from the source.
3. Ensure that the in-text citation corresponds to the correct entry in your reference list.
Conclusion
Narrative citation with multiple authors can be a bit tricky, but by following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent. Remember to always check the specific citation style guidelines provided by your institution or publisher to ensure compliance with their requirements. By properly citing multiple authors, you not only maintain academic integrity but also provide your readers with the necessary information to locate the source material.
