How to Cite if There is Two Authors
In academic writing, proper citation is crucial for giving credit to the original authors of the work being referenced. When dealing with sources that have two authors, it is important to follow a specific format to ensure accuracy and consistency. This article will guide you through the process of citing a source with two authors, whether it is in APA, MLA, Chicago, or any other citation style.
APA Citation Style
According to the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style, when citing a source with two authors, you should list both authors’ last names followed by their first initials. For example:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (Year). Title of the source. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages. DOI or URL
If the source is a book, the format would be:
Smith, J. A., & Johnson, L. B. (Year). Title of the book. Publisher.
MLA Citation Style
In MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style, the format for citing a source with two authors is similar to APA. You should list both authors’ last names followed by their first initials:
Smith, John A., and Lisa B. Johnson. “Title of the Source.” Journal Name, volume(issue), year, pages. Print.
For a book, the format would be:
Smith, John A., and Lisa B. Johnson. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.
Chicago Citation Style
The Chicago citation style also requires listing both authors’ last names followed by their first initials. The format for a journal article is:
Smith, John A., and Lisa B. Johnson. “Title of the Source.” Journal Name, volume(issue), year, pages.
For a book, the format would be:
Smith, John A., and Lisa B. Johnson. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.
Additional Tips
1. Pay attention to punctuation: When listing authors, use commas to separate their names and periods to separate the elements of the citation.
2. Capitalize titles: Capitalize the first letter of each major word in the title of the source, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
3. Check for specific formatting guidelines: Each citation style may have additional rules or variations, so it’s essential to consult the official guidelines or a reliable source when in doubt.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you accurately and professionally cite sources with two authors in your academic writing. Remember, proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps maintain the integrity of your work.
