How to Cite an Article with Multiple Authors in MLA Format

Introduction

One of the common challenges in academic writing is how to correctly cite an article with multiple authors using the MLA format. This guide will walk you through the steps to format in-text citations and Works Cited entries when citing articles with one to three authors, and more than three authors. Ensuring proper citation helps maintain academic integrity and provides credibility to your work.

In-Text Citation Guidelines

When you quote, paraphrase, or summarize information from an article with multiple authors in your text, MLA format provides specific rules for in-text citations.

Two Authors

If the article has two authors, include both their last names followed by the page numbers where the information is found. For instance:

According to Smith and Johnson (45), the ... criteria are fundamental for understanding the ...

Three or More Authors

If the article has three or more authors, list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." and the page numbers. For example:

According to Smith et al. (45), it is crucial to consider...

Works Cited Entry Guidelines

In the Works Cited page, you should list the authors in the same order as they appear in the source. Use the format specified for each number of authors.

Two Authors

List the two authors' last names, followed by a comma, and their given names. The article title should be in quotation marks, followed by the journal name in italics, the volume and issue numbers, the year of publication, and the page range. Example:

Smith, John W., and Jane E. Johnson. "Title of the Article." *Journal Name*, vol. 23, no. 2, 2022, pp. 14-29,

Three or More Authors

List the first author's last name, followed by "et al." For the article title, journal name, and other details, follow the same format as above. Example:

Smith, John W. et al. "Title of the Article." *Journal Name*, vol. 23, no. 2, 2022, pp. 14-29,

Example of a Works Cited Entry

This example will illustrate how to format the citation for an article with three authors:

Doe, John Jane, Emily Johnson, and Michael Smith. "A Comprehensive Analysis of Sexual Behavior in Homosexual and Heterosexual Population." *Journal of Human Sexuality*, vol. 45, no. 3, 2022, pp. 111-122,

Key Points to Remember

1. Always adjust the details such as names, titles, volume, issue, pages, and DOI/URL according to the specific source.2. When listing authors in the Works Cited entry, reverse the order of the first name and last name for the first author.3. Use "et al." for articles with more than three authors.4. Include the article title in quotation marks and the journal name in adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and adhere to the MLA format, thereby supporting the academic rigor and credibility of your work.