How to Cite a Book APA with Two Authors
Citing a book with two authors in APA format can sometimes be confusing, especially for those who are new to academic writing. However, with a few simple steps, you can ensure that your citation is accurate and follows the APA guidelines. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to cite a book with two authors in APA format.
General Format
When citing a book with two authors in APA format, you should follow the general format, which includes the author’s last name, followed by a comma and the first name, the publication date, the title of the book (italicized), the publisher, and the location of publication. Here is an example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Formatting the Author’s Names
In APA format, the author’s names should be written with the last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. If the authors have different last names, you should include both in the citation. If one of the authors is a known collaborator of the other, you can use a shortened version of their name to avoid repetition.
For example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Smith, J., & Smith, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Including Edition Information
If the book has an edition, you should include it in the citation. The edition should be written as a superscript after the title of the book. Here is an example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Including Publisher and Location of Publication
The publisher and location of publication should be included at the end of the citation. If the book has multiple publishers, you should list them in the order of their contribution to the book. Here is an example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson.
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The History of Science (4th ed.). New York: Pearson; London: Cambridge University Press.
Formatting the In-text Citation
When citing a book with two authors in your text, you should use the authors’ last names and the year of publication. Here is an example:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the history of science has evolved significantly over the past few centuries.
Conclusion
Citing a book with two authors in APA format may seem daunting at first, but by following these simple steps, you can ensure that your citation is accurate and meets the APA guidelines. Always double-check your citation for accuracy and consistency, and remember to use the appropriate formatting for your specific source.
