Author citation is a crucial element of any academic paper, especially in research-heavy fields. However, the rules for citing multiple authors can get quite confusing for beginners. So, what are the exact rules for citing multiple authors MLA? In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the MLA
cite multiple authors rules using simple examples and show you how to cite 2 authors MLA, along with WPS Office to simplify the formatting process easily.
What Are the MLA Citation Rules for Multiple Authors?
When I wrote my first academic papers, I often got lost trying to figure out how to cite multiple authors in MLA style. Even though MLA provides clear rules for citing multiple authors, they are incredibly easy to mix up, especially if you’re just starting out. In this section, I’ll break down everything you need to know about MLA citation rules for multiple authors, so you can learn how to cite multiple authors mla in a clean, structured, and properly formatted manner.
1 Author:
In-text (parenthetical): List the author’s last name in parentheses, followed by the page number without adding a comma.
Example: (Walker 45)
Narrative: Include the author’s last name in the sentence and place the page number in parentheses without a comma.
Example: According to Walker, the struggles of African American women are deeply personal and political (45).
Works Cited: List the author’s last name, followed by their first name. Then write the book title in italics, followed by the publisher and the year of publication.
Example: Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt, 1982.
2 Authors:
In-text (parenthetical): List both authors’ last names joined by “and” in parentheses, followed by the page number without a comma.
Example: (Smith and Johnson 67)
Narrative: Include both authors’ last names in the sentence and place the page number in parentheses without a comma.
Example: Smith and Johnson argue that collaboration enhances creativity (67).
Works Cited: List both authors’ last names followed by their first names, joined by “and.” Then write the book title in italics, followed by the publisher and the year of publication.
Example: Smith, John, and Lisa Johnson. Creative Collaboration. Random House, 2015.
3 or More Authors:
In-text (parenthetical): List only the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” in parentheses, then the page number without a comma.
Example: (Brown et al. 102)
Narrative: Include the first author’s last name followed by “et al.” in the sentence and place the page number in parentheses without a comma.
Example: Brown et al. found that team dynamics impact overall performance (102).
Works Cited: List the first author’s last name and first name, followed by “et al.” Then write the book title in italics, followed by the publisher and the year of publication.
Example: Brown, Sarah, et al. Team Dynamics in the Workplace. Oxford University Press, 2018.
How to Cite Multiple Authors in MLA Format (with Examples)
When I’m navigating MLA citations for multiple authors, it can get quite tricky without clear guidance. I’ve found that knowing exactly how to format my in-text citations and “Works Cited” entries is essential for maintaining credibility in my writing. In this section, I’ll be showing you some easy-to-follow examples so you can confidently cite multiple authors in your MLA paper every single time.
Situation |
Citation Format |
|---|---|
2 Authors (In-Text) |
(Stein and Blake 112) |
2 Authors (Narrative) |
Stein and Blake argue that cultural memory shapes collective identity (112). |
2 Authors (Works Cited) |
Stein, Rachel, and Mark Blake. Echoes of the Past: Memory and Identity in Modern Literature. Beacon Press, 2017. |
3+ Authors (In-Text) |
(Chen et al. 89) |
3+ Authors (Narrative) |
Chen et al. explore the psychological impact of urban isolation on young adults (89). |
3+ Authors (Works Cited) |
Chen, Livia, Marcus Lee, and Nina Alvarez. Urban Minds: A Psychological Inquiry. Grayleaf Books, 2020. |
Use WPS Office to Format MLA Citations Smoothly
When I’m busy writing my MLA papers, maintaining proper and consistent formatting across my entire paper is essential to me. I can’t afford to waste any time manually formatting small details or dealing with slow and clunky software, which is why I rely on efficient tools like WPS Office to streamline the entire formatting process and save valuable time that could be better spent on polishing my paper.
Highlights
WPS Office is completely free to use, making it an accessible choice for me and other students and researchers who are budget-conscious.
It includes an AI citation assistant called WPS AI, which helps me generate and format citations quickly and accurately.
WPS Office supports MLA citation styling directly within its word processor, allowing me to insert, edit, and manage references without the need of any other third-party tools.
Why WPS Office Is Great for MLA Formatting?
I found WPS Office to be an excellent choice for MLA formatting because it provides me with a comprehensive productivity suite, equipping me with all the essential tools I need for academic writing. Additionally, Its built-in smart features handle repetitive and tedious formatting tasks, like citations and indents, saving me a lot of time and effort. I’ll highlight some of the notable features of WPS Office that make it especially useful for MLA formatting.
Provides me with flexible citation templates that can be tailored to meet MLA requirements
Includes built-in tools for formatting elements like hanging indents, headers, and double spacing, which I found to be quite helpful
Allows smooth integration with citation databases or supports easy manual citation entry
Features an AI-powered citation assistant that simplifies and speeds up the referencing process for me
Enables real-time editing and collaboration, making academic writing more efficient and organized
Step-by-Step: Formatting MLA Multi-Author Citations in WPS Word
When I’m dealing with my academic papers styled in MLA format, dealing with minor details like multiple author citations can be difficult to keep track of. Using WPS Office, I can streamline the whole process for myself using the useful features and templates provided by their productivity suite. I’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to make sure you can format your citations correctly and keep your paper polished and well-structured.
Step 1: Introduce the Author in Your Sentence
Start your sentence by mentioning the author’s last name as part of your narrative. This means the author’s name is incorporated naturally into your writing, rather than placed in parentheses.
Example:
Levring reports that, …
Step 2: Include the Quoted or Paraphrased Information
After introducing the author, include the information you are citing. This can be a direct quote or a paraphrase of the source material.
Example:
“A membership referendum held today would be backed by 55 percent of Danish voters.”
Step 3: Add the Page Number in Parentheses at the End
Place the page number where the information was found in parentheses immediately after the quoted or paraphrased material. Do not include a comma between the author’s name and page number.
Example:
(8)
By following these simple steps, I incorporate narrative citations into my writing. It not only makes my work more polished but also ensures proper credit is given to original authors. Even though it took a bit of practice to master the format, using narrative citations has become a natural part of my process, helping me maintain clarity and credibility in every paper.
FAQs
Q1: Do I have to list all authors in the Works Cited for 3 or more authors in MLA?
No. MLA recommends listing only the first author’s name followed by “et al.” to simplify the citation.
Q2: Can I use “et al.” in the in-text citation for two authors?
No. The “et al.” abbreviation is reserved for works with three or more authors. For two authors, both names should always be listed.
Q3: How do I format multiple works by the same author in MLA?
List the author’s name once, then alphabetize the works by title in your Works Cited list. Use a long dash (—) to replace the author’s name in subsequent entries.
Q4: What if the source has no listed author?
In that case, use the title of the work (shortened if necessary) in place of the author’s name for both in-text citations and Works Cited entries.
