How to Cite 3 Authors in Text
When writing academic papers or research articles, it is essential to provide proper citations to acknowledge the work of other authors. One common scenario is when you need to cite three authors in your text. This can be done in a few different ways, depending on the citation style you are using. In this article, we will discuss how to cite three authors in text using the most popular citation styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago.
APA Style
In APA style, when citing three authors in text, you include all three names the first time you mention the source. Subsequent citations use only the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”). Here’s an example:
> According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the impact of climate change on coastal communities is significant (p. 45).
If you need to mention the specific contribution of each author, you can do so by using “et al.” in parentheses:
> Smith and Johnson (2020) argue that… whereas Brown (2020) suggests that…
MLA Style
In MLA style, when citing three authors in text, you include all three names the first time you mention the source. Subsequent citations use only the first author followed by “et al.” Here’s an example:
> Smith, Johnson, and Brown argue that climate change is a significant threat to coastal communities (45).
If you need to mention the specific contribution of each author, you can do so by using “et al.” in parentheses:
> Smith and Johnson contend that… whereas Brown suggests that…
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, when citing three authors in text, you include all three names the first time you mention the source. Subsequent citations use only the first author followed by “et al.” Here’s an example:
> According to Smith, Johnson, and Brown (2020), the impact of climate change on coastal communities is significant (45).
If you need to mention the specific contribution of each author, you can do so by using “et al.” in parentheses:
> Smith and Johnson argue that… whereas Brown suggests that…
Remember to always check the specific guidelines of your institution or publication when citing multiple authors in text, as there may be slight variations in formatting or punctuation. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and professional.
