How Do You Do an in Text Citation If a Book Has Two Authors?

In-text citations within a paper serve to direct the reader to the original source where an idea or quote can be found. When using a source that has two authors, it is necessary to adjust the way you cite the source. The example below follows Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines, which is most commonly used throughout the liberal arts and humanities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Document both authors' names within the text of your paper in addition to placing a full reference in your works cited list. One way to do this is by naming the authors when referring to the source:

      Smith and Jones contend that television advertisements contribute to the public's acceptance of violence against women (273).

    • 2

      List the authors' names in the parenthetical citation directly following a quotation or a rephrasing of the authors' idea when the authors are not directly named:

      Many today argue that television advertisements contribute to the public's acceptance of violence against women (Smith and Jones 273).

    • 3

      List the specific page number where the quote or idea can be found. When including the authors' names in the sentence where the source is cited, place the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence:

      Smith and Jones state that "television advertisements continue to perpetuate society's tolerance of violent crimes committed against women" (273).

      When citing a source without directly naming the authors in the sentence where the quote or idea is introduced, combine the page number with the authors' names at the end of the sentence:

      Today, many feel that "television advertisements continue to perpetuate society's tolerance of violent crimes committed against women" (Smith and Jones 273).

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