When it comes to citing sources with multiple authors in Chicago style, the rules can be a bit complex. However, understanding these guidelines is essential for maintaining academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors of an idea, piece of research, or intellectual work.
Basic Citation Rules for Multiple Authors
In Chicago style, citations can be presented in two main forms: author-date and notes-bibliography. The way you cite multiple authors differs slightly between these two systems.
Author-Date System
For sources with two authors, cite both authors’ names every time the source is mentioned in the text. For sources with three or more authors, list all authors the first time the source is cited, and then use the first author’s name followed by “et al.” in subsequent citations.
- Two Authors: (First Author’s Last Name and Second Author’s Last Name Year) Example: (Smith and Johnson 2020)
- Three or More Authors (First Citation): (First Author’s Last Name, Second Author’s Last Name, and Third Author’s Last Name Year) Example: (Smith, Johnson, and Williams 2020)
- Three or More Authors (Subsequent Citations): (First Author’s Last Name et al. Year) Example: (Smith et al. 2020)
Notes-Bibliography System
In the notes-bibliography system, footnotes or endnotes are used for citations, and a bibliography is included at the end of the paper.
- Footnote or Endnote (Two Authors): 1. First Author’s First Name Last Name and Second Author’s First Name Last Name, Title of Book, (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), page numbers. Example: 1. John Smith and Emily Johnson, The Impact of Climate Change, (New York: Penguin Books, 2020), 23-25.
- Footnote or Endnote (Three or More Authors): For the first citation, list all authors. For subsequent citations, use the first author’s name followed by “et al.” First Citation: 1. John Smith, Emily Johnson, and Michael Williams, Economic Trends, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2020), 12-15. Subsequent Citation: 2. Smith et al., Economic Trends, 20-22.
- Bibliography Entry (Two Authors): Last Name, First Name, and First Name Last Name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Example: Smith, John, and Emily Johnson. The Impact of Climate Change. New York: Penguin Books, 2020.
- Bibliography Entry (Three or More Authors): List all authors for sources with up to ten authors. For sources with more than ten authors, list the first seven authors followed by “et al.” Example for up to ten authors: Smith, John, Emily Johnson, Michael Williams, Sarah Lee, David Kim, and Kevin Brown. Economic Trends. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2020. Example for more than ten authors: Smith, John, Emily Johnson, Michael Williams, Sarah Lee, David Kim, Kevin Brown, Olivia Davis, Benjamin White, Alexander Hall, and et al. Global Economic Strategies. London: Oxford University Press, 2020.
Additional Considerations
- Authors with the Same Last Name: If citing two or more different authors with the same last name, include their first initial in the citation to differentiate them.
- Corporate or Institutional Authors: If the author is a corporation or institution, use its name in the citation. If the author is unknown, the title can be used in the citation.
- Sources without Dates: Use “n.d.” to indicate no publication date is available.
Conclusion
Citing sources with multiple authors in Chicago style requires attention to detail and adherence to the specific guidelines for the chosen citation system. By following these rules, researchers and writers can ensure their work is properly cited, giving due credit to the original authors and maintaining the integrity of academic and professional discourse. For each new citation task, it’s essential to consult the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style for the most current guidelines and examples, as citation styles evolve over time to accommodate new sources and technologies.
