How to in-text cite an article with multiple authors is an essential skill for academic writing. Proper citation not only gives credit to the original authors but also helps readers locate the source material. In this article, we will discuss the guidelines for in-text citation when referencing an article with multiple authors.
When citing an article with multiple authors in the text, it is important to follow the specific citation style recommended by your institution or publisher. The most common styles include APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard. Each style has its own rules for formatting the in-text citation. Below, we will provide examples for each style.
APA Style:
In APA style, when citing an article with two authors, include both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. For example: “According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the results of the study were significant”.
When citing an article with three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the first citation, followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) in subsequent citations. For example: “The research findings suggest that the new medication is effective (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & Evans, 2020). Furthermore, Smith et al. (2020) also found similar results”.
For articles with more than five authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” in all citations. For example: “The study indicates that the treatment is beneficial (Smith et al., 2020)”.
MLA Style:
In MLA style, when citing an article with two authors, include both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the page number in parentheses. For example: “Smith and Johnson (15) argue that the new policy will have a positive impact”.
For articles with three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the first citation, followed by “et al.” in subsequent citations. For example: “The research findings support the hypothesis (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & Evans, 15). Additionally, Smith et al. (15) also provide evidence for the same conclusion”.
For articles with more than five authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” in all citations. For example: “The study indicates that the treatment is beneficial (Smith et al., 15)”.
Chicago Style:
In Chicago style, when citing an article with two authors, include both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. For example: “Smith and Johnson (2020) argue that the new policy will have a positive impact”.
For articles with three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the first citation, followed by “et al.” in subsequent citations. For example: “The research findings support the hypothesis (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & Evans, 2020). Furthermore, Smith et al. (2020) also provide evidence for the same conclusion”.
For articles with more than five authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” in all citations. For example: “The study indicates that the treatment is beneficial (Smith et al., 2020)”.
Harvard Style:
In Harvard style, when citing an article with two authors, include both authors’ last names in the text, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. For example: “According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the results of the study were significant”.
For articles with three to five authors, include all authors’ last names in the first citation, followed by “et al.” in subsequent citations. For example: “The research findings suggest that the new medication is effective (Smith, Johnson, Brown, Davis, & Evans, 2020). Furthermore, Smith et al. (2020) also found similar results”.
For articles with more than five authors, include only the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.” in all citations. For example: “The study indicates that the treatment is beneficial (Smith et al., 2020)”.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your in-text citations for articles with multiple authors are accurate and consistent with the recommended citation style.
