Knowing how to cite two authors APA style is crucial for academic writing. Proper citation avoids plagiarism and gives credit to the original authors. This guide outlines the techniques for in-text citations and the reference list entry, ensuring your work adheres to APA 7th edition guidelines.
In-Text Citations: Two Authors APA Style
When citing two authors in the text of your paper, always include both authors' last names in every citation. Here's how:
For every instance of a citation:
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Within the sentence: (Smith & Jones, 2023) Note the use of the ampersand (&) instead of "and".
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Parenthetical citation: A recent study found... (Smith & Jones, 2023).
Example Sentences:
- "Smith and Jones (2023) argue that..."
- "The findings of Smith & Jones (2023) support this hypothesis."
- "This phenomenon has been previously documented (Smith & Jones, 2023)."
Reference List Entry: Two Authors APA Style
The reference list entry for two authors follows a specific format. Accuracy in this section is vital for academic integrity.
Format:
Last Name, First Initial. & Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of work. Publisher.
Example:
Smith, J. & Jones, A. (2023). The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Oxford University Press.
Key Points to Remember:
- Ampersand: Use an ampersand (&) instead of "and" between the authors' names.
- Italicize: Italicize the title of the work.
- Capitalization: Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle (unless there's a proper noun).
- Publisher: Include the publisher's name.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency in formatting throughout your reference list.
Beyond the Basics: Handling Variations
While the above covers the standard scenario, let's address some common variations:
Three or More Authors:
For three or more authors, list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." in subsequent citations. The full author list appears only in the reference list entry.
In-text citation: (Smith et al., 2023)
Reference list entry: Smith, J., Jones, A., Brown, B., & Davis, C. (2023). Title of work. Publisher.
Multiple Works by the Same Authors in the Same Year:
If you cite multiple works by the same authors published in the same year, differentiate them using lowercase letters (a, b, c) after the year.
In-text citation: (Smith & Jones, 2023a) (Smith & Jones, 2023b)
Reference List Entry:
Smith, J. & Jones, A. (2023a). Title of work 1. Publisher. Smith, J. & Jones, A. (2023b). Title of work 2. Publisher.
Mastering APA Citation: A Path to Academic Success
Adhering to APA citation guidelines, especially for two authors, is fundamental to academic integrity and strengthens the credibility of your work. By diligently following these steps and paying attention to detail, you can confidently incorporate citations into your writing and produce scholarly work of high quality. Remember to always double-check your citations against the official APA style manual for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Consistent and correct citations significantly impact the overall impression of your academic writing.
