How to Cite Multiple Authors MLA

How to Cite Multiple Authors MLA Format with Examples

In academic writing, citing sources is essential for writers, but what if the sources have multiple authors? That’s why you must know how to cite multiple authors in MLA. So, set yourself free and easy because this guide explores citing multiple authors MLA, both in-text and on the works cited page, with examples.

Remember Tips for MLA Multiple Authors Citation

To cite Accurately MLA multiple authors, remember to follow the below listed hints.

  • Use And for 2 authors and et al. for three or more authors.
  • Do not italicize et al.; no comma would be included in an in-text citation.
  • Do not use an ampersand (&) instead of “And” as both have the same meaning, but the MLA doesn’t allow it.
  • Place a period after the citation at the end of the sentence.
  • If the author’s name is already mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

Citing Multiple Authors

In-text citation

Work Cited Page

Citing 1 author

(Mark 112)

Bill, George. AI innovation. Techrelease, 2023

Citing 2 authors

(Mark and Emily 112)

Bill, George, and Will Smith. AI innovation. Techrelease, 2023

Citing 3 or more authors

(Mark et al. 112)

Bill, George, et al. AI innovation. Techrelease, 2023

In-text MLA Citation Multiple Authors

According to the latest MLA 9th edition, the intext citation includes the author’s last name and page number in parentheses. However, when you deal with MLA in-text citation multiple authors, the format changes slightly depending on how many authors the source has.

MLA citation with two authors

When a source has two authors, include both authors’ last names separated by the word “And,” then add the page number. Everything comes inside the parentheses.

  • Here’s an example of MLA in text citation with two authors: (Johnson and Smith 32)

But if you need to mention the two authors in a sentence, here’s an example to do it correctly.

  • Johnson and Smith proved that the old theory is wrong (32).

MLA citation three authors or more

When knowing how to cite multiple authors mla with three or more authors in the text, use the first author’s last name followed by et al., where et al. means “and others.”

  • MLA in text citation multiple authors example: (Johnson et al. 112)

If you wish to include multiple authors in the sentence, here’s an example of how to do it.

  • Johnson et al. discuss how climate change impacts the health of human beings (112).
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Works Cited With Multiple Authors in MLA

MLA 9th edition has simplified the rules for citing multiple authors in work cited pages. Only a few modifications in the authors’ names and leaving the rest the same will help you cite sources correctly for two or more authors. Don’t fret; below, we explain how to cite multiple authors MLA works cited with examples.

Two authors

To cite an MLA format two authors work, list the first author’s name inverted (last name, then first) and write the second author’s name the way we do in daily life (First name last). You’ll use commas to differentiate two entries in the work cited section.

Format:

  • Last name, first name, and first name last name. Title of source, publisher, year.

Example

  • Mark, Andrew, and Will Smith. Understanding climate change. Tech Press, 2022.

Three or more authors

To cite three or more authors in the work cited page, include the first author followed by et al., a format known as et al. citation MLA style.

Format

  • Last name, First name et al. source title. Publisher, year.

Example

  • Mark, Andrew et al. Global financial Crisis. World crisis publisher, 2021.

Citing Multiple Authors MLA Examples

Here are easy-to-follow MLA multiple authors citation examples for in-text and work-cited pages.

Examples of In-text citation

Below is an MLA format example elaborating on how to cite multiple authors mla in-text citations (author-page number method).

For 1 Author(Smith 232)
For 2 Authors(Smith and David 232)
For 3 or more Authors(Smith et al. 232)

Examples of a work cited page

These MLA works cited page examples are taken from different sources. Website for 1 author, a book source for 2 authors, and an article written by 3 authors.

For 1 AuthorClay, Emma. “AI Modern Policies.” Techvision, 2023.
For 2 AuthorsKing, Mathew, and Peter Sudherland. The power ring. Austin Press, 2015.
For 3 or more AuthorsMartin, Rose et al. “depression in college students.” Journal of health research, vol.4, no. 2, 2023, pp. 130-145.
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Key TakeAways

Knowing how to cite multiple authors mla is vital for an error and plagiarism-free paper while maintaining its academic integrity. Whether you are working with websites, articles, books, or journal resources, follow these key takeaways:

  • Use And as a separator for citing two authors.
  • Use et al. with a period for three or more authors.
  • Follow punctuation rules carefully (As followed in this guide).
  • Alphabetize all works cited entries by the first author’s last name.

When in doubt, refer to expert research paper writers for professional guidance.

FAQs

Et al. is a Latin abbreviation that means “and other.” It is used in MLA citation when one single source has three or more authors.

If you are available with only the author’s first name, use it in the in-text and the work cited, the same as you would do with the full name. Here’s how to do it.

In-text citation: (First name page number)→(Mark 23)

Works Cited: First name, course title. Publisher, year→Mark, AI innovation. Harmony books, 2013.

No, MLA style citation doesn’t support a comma before et al. or when citing single or two authors.

Here’s an example:

Wrong: (Johnson, et al. 15)

Correct: (Johnson et al. 15)

When citing the same author multiple times in-text MLA, use a shortened title to distinguish it from other works by the same author. (Johnson, AI ethics 24)

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