Citing multiple authors in your research paper or academic work is a common practice, especially in the field of humanities. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is one of the most widely used citation styles, and it provides specific guidelines on how to cite multiple authors.
Why is it important to cite multiple authors?
Citing the work of multiple authors in your paper is important for several reasons:
- It gives credit to the original authors for their ideas and research.
- It enhances the credibility and authority of your work by showing that you have consulted a variety of sources.
- It allows readers to locate and verify the sources you used in your research.
Basic MLA citation format for multiple authors
The general format for citing multiple authors in MLA style is as follows:
Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. Title of Source. Publisher, Publication Date.
For example:
Smith, John, and Jane Doe. The Art of Writing. Scholar Press, 2018.
Citing two authors
When citing a source with two authors in MLA style, the names of both authors should be included in the citation. The names should be separated by and, and the names should be listed in the order they appear on the source.
For example:
Smith, John, and Jane Doe. The Art of Writing. Scholar Press, 2018.
Citing three or more authors
When citing a source with three or more authors in MLA style, the first author’s name should be listed followed by et al., which is short for et alii, meaning “and others” in Latin. It is important to note that the term et al. should be followed by a period.
For example:
Johnson, Mark, et al. The Science of Research. Academic Publishing, 2017.
How to cite multiple works by the same author
When citing multiple works by the same author in MLA style, include the author’s name followed by a comma and a shortened version of the title of the work. If the titles are similar, include a short version of the title to differentiate between the works.
For example:
Smith, John. “Writing Tips.” Scholar Press, 2015.
Smith, John. “Research Strategies.” Scholar Press, 2017.
In-text citations for multiple authors
When citing multiple authors within the text of your paper, the names of the authors should be listed in the order they appear on the source, separated by commas and the word “and.” If there are more than three authors, use the first author’s name followed by et al.
For example:
(Smith and Doe 45)
(Johnson et al. 72)
Works cited page for multiple authors
In the works cited page of your paper, list all the authors’ names in the order they appear on the source. The first author’s name should be listed last name first, followed by a comma and the first name. Each additional author’s name should be listed in first name-last name order.
For example:
Smith, John, and Jane Doe. The Art of Writing. Scholar Press, 2018.
Johnson, Mark, et al. The Science of Research. Academic Publishing, 2017.
Conclusion
Citing multiple authors in your research paper using MLA style is essential for acknowledging the original sources, providing credibility to your work, and allowing readers to verify your research. By following the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can effectively cite multiple authors in your paper and adhere to the MLA citation style.
Remember to always consult the official MLA handbook or website for the most up-to-date guidelines on citation formatting and to ensure the accuracy of your citations.
