How to Cite Source with Two Authors
In academic writing and research, accurately citing sources is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and giving proper credit to the original authors. One common scenario that arises is when you need to cite a source that has two authors. This article will guide you through the process of citing a source with two authors in different citation styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago.
APA Style
In APA style, when citing a source with two authors, you should list both authors’ last names followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Then, include the title of the source in quotation marks, the name of the journal or book, and the volume and issue numbers (if applicable). Here’s an example:
Smith, J., & Johnson, L. (2020). The impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Journal of Environmental Studies, 42(2), 123-145.
If you are citing a source with two authors that you have already mentioned in your text, you can use the authors’ last names and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
As Smith and Johnson (2020) have pointed out, the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems is significant (p. 123).
MLA Style
In MLA style, the process is similar to APA. You should list both authors’ last names, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Then, include the title of the source in quotation marks, the name of the journal or book, and the volume and issue numbers (if applicable). Here’s an example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 42, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-145.
If you have already mentioned the authors in your text, you can use their last names and the year of publication in parentheses:
As Smith and Johnson (2020) have argued, the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems is a pressing issue (p. 123).
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, the process of citing a source with two authors is also similar to APA and MLA. You should list both authors’ last names, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Then, include the title of the source in quotation marks, the name of the journal or book, and the volume and issue numbers (if applicable). Here’s an example:
Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. “The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems.” Journal of Environmental Studies, vol. 42, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123-145.
When citing a source with two authors that you have already mentioned in your text, you can use their last names and the year of publication in parentheses:
As Smith and Johnson (2020) have observed, the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems is a significant concern (p. 123).
In conclusion, citing a source with two authors is a straightforward process when you follow the appropriate citation style guidelines. By accurately citing your sources, you maintain academic integrity and give proper credit to the original authors of the work.
