How to Write Multiple Authors in APA Citation
Writing a paper with multiple authors can be an exciting and collaborative process. However, it is crucial to properly credit each contributor in the APA citation format. APA (American Psychological Association) style provides specific guidelines for citing works with multiple authors. In this article, we will discuss the steps to follow when writing multiple authors in APA citation.
1. Begin with the Author’s Last Name, Followed by the First Name
When listing multiple authors in APA citation, start with the last name of the first author, followed by their first name. Separate the author names with commas. For example: “Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Brown, M.”
2. Include All Authors
In APA citation, it is essential to include all authors in the list, even if there are many. However, if the list becomes excessively long, you can use the ampersand (&) to indicate the last author. For example: “Smith, J., Johnson, L., Brown, M., & Thompson, N.”
3. Use a Hyphen to Separate the Author’s Last Name and First Name
In APA citation, use a hyphen to separate the author’s last name and first name. For example: “Smith-Jones, J.”
4. Include the Date of Publication
After listing the authors, include the publication date of the work. Use parentheses to enclose the year of publication. For example: “Smith, J., Johnson, L., Brown, M., & Thompson, N. (2020).”
5. Follow with the Title of the Work
Next, provide the title of the work. In APA citation, the title should be written in sentence case, with only the first word, any proper nouns, and any words that follow hyphens capitalized. For example: “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities.”
6. Include the Source Information
After the title, provide the source information, such as the journal name, volume, issue number, and page numbers. For example: “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-60.”
7. Format the Reference List Entry
When compiling the reference list, follow the general APA format for the reference list entry. For example:
Smith, J., Johnson, L., Brown, M., & Thompson, N. (2020). The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(3), 45-60.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your APA citation for works with multiple authors is accurate and adheres to the APA style guidelines. Proper citation not only gives credit to the authors but also helps readers locate the original source of the information.
