Citing multiple authors in MLA (Modern Language Association) style can be a bit tricky, but it's essential to give credit to all the authors who have contributed to a particular work. When citing a source with multiple authors, the general rule is to list all the authors' last names, separated by commas, in the order they appear on the source. However, there are some exceptions and special cases to consider.
Citing Two Authors
When citing a source with two authors, list both authors’ last names, separated by “and,” in the in-text citation and the Works Cited page. For example:
Authors’ last names (e.g., Smith and Johnson) or (Smith and Johnson 24)
In the Works Cited page:
Smith, John, and Jane Johnson. The Book Title. Publisher, 2020.
Citing Three or More Authors
For sources with three or more authors, list all the authors’ last names in the first in-text citation, separated by commas, and use “et al.” in subsequent citations. In the Works Cited page, list all the authors’ names, separated by commas.
First in-text citation: (Smith, Johnson, Williams, and Davis 12)
Subsequent in-text citations: (Smith et al. 12)
In the Works Cited page:
Smith, John, Jane Johnson, Michael Williams, and Emily Davis. The Book Title. Publisher, 2020.
| Number of Authors | In-Text Citation | Works Cited Page |
|---|---|---|
| Two authors | (Smith and Johnson 24) | Smith, John, and Jane Johnson. |
| Three or more authors | (Smith et al. 12) | Smith, John, Jane Johnson, Michael Williams, and Emily Davis. |
Citing Authors with the Same Last Name
When citing multiple authors with the same last name, include their first initials or names to distinguish between them. For example:
(J. Smith 12) and (M. Smith 23)
In the Works Cited page:
Smith, John. The Book Title. Publisher, 2020.
Smith, Michael. The Other Book Title. Publisher, 2019.
Citing Corporate or Group Authors
When citing a source with a corporate or group author, list the author’s name as it appears on the source. If the author is a government agency or organization, use the full name in the first in-text citation and the abbreviation in subsequent citations. For example:
(National Institute of Health 12)
Subsequent in-text citations: (NIH 12)
In the Works Cited page:
National Institute of Health. The Report Title. Publisher, 2020.
How do I cite multiple authors in MLA style?
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To cite multiple authors in MLA style, list all the authors’ last names, separated by commas, in the order they appear on the source. For sources with three or more authors, list all the authors’ last names in the first in-text citation and use “et al.” in subsequent citations.
What if the authors have the same last name?
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If the authors have the same last name, include their first initials or names to distinguish between them. For example, (J. Smith 12) and (M. Smith 23).
How do I cite a corporate or group author?
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To cite a corporate or group author, list the author’s name as it appears on the source. If the author is a government agency or organization, use the full name in the first in-text citation and the abbreviation in subsequent citations.
