When quoting two authors, it’s essential to provide a clear and concise citation that credits both sources. The method of quoting two authors can vary depending on the citation style being used, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago. Here, we’ll explore the general guidelines for quoting two authors in each of these styles, along with examples to illustrate the process.
MLA Style
In MLA style, when quoting two authors, you typically separate their names with “and” in the text, and use a comma to separate their names in the parenthetical citation. However, if you’re citing two separate works by different authors, you’d cite them separately.
- Text Citation: (Author1 and Author2 page number)
- Works Cited Page: List each work separately following the MLA format for each entry.
Example: If referencing a quote from a single work co-authored by Jane Smith and John Doe: “…as they have shown (Smith and Doe 24).”
For two separate works: “…as one study has found (Smith 12), and another has also noted (Doe 30).”
APA Style
In APA style, you would use an ampersand (&) when listing authors’ names in parentheses, but use “and” when the authors’ names appear in the text.
- Text Citation: (Author1 & Author2, year)
- Reference List: List the authors separated by commas, using “&” before the last author.
Example: If referencing a quote from a single work co-authored by Jane Smith and John Doe in the text: “…according to Smith and Doe (2022), the results…”
In the reference list: “Smith, J., & Doe, J. (2022). Title of work…”
For two separate works: “…as one study has found (Smith, 2020), and another has also noted (Doe, 2022).”
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, the footnote or endnote system is commonly used, but for in-text citations (author-date system), you separate authors’ names with commas and use “and” before the last author.
- Text Citation: (Author1, Author2, year)
- Footnotes/Endnotes: Superscript numbers in the text that correspond to citations at the bottom of the page or in a separate section at the end of the document.
Example: If referencing a quote from a single work co-authored by Jane Smith and John Doe: “…found in recent studies (Smith, Doe 2022).”
In the bibliography: “Smith, Jane, and John Doe. Title of Work. Publication details.”
For two separate works in footnotes: 1. Jane Smith, Title of Work (Publication details), page number. 2. John Doe, Another Title (Publication details), page number.
General Tips
- Direct Quotes: When quoting directly from an author, use quotation marks and provide the page number(s) in the citation.
- Paraphrasing: Even when paraphrasing, you must still cite the original author(s) to avoid plagiarism.
- Multiple Works by the Same Author: If citing multiple works by the same author published in the same year, use letters (a, b, c) to distinguish them in both the text and the reference list.
Citing multiple authors can be complex, especially when navigating different citation styles. Always consult the most current edition of the style guide you’re using (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.) for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance on citations and references.
