How to Cite Two Authors APA in Text Citation
Citing two authors in APA format can sometimes be a bit confusing, especially for those who are new to academic writing. However, with a clear understanding of the rules and guidelines, it becomes much easier to format your in-text citations correctly. In this article, we will discuss how to cite two authors in APA in-text citation format.
When citing two authors in APA format, you should list both authors’ last names followed by the publication date in parentheses. If the source has a page number, include it as well. Here’s an example:
Smith and Johnson (2020) conducted a study on the effects of social media on young adults, finding that it has both positive and negative impacts (p. 45).
In this example, Smith and Johnson are the two authors, and the publication date is 2020. The page number, 45, indicates the specific part of the source you are referencing.
There are a few things to keep in mind when citing two authors in APA format:
1. If the source has more than two authors, list the first author followed by “et al.” (meaning “and others”) and the publication date. For example: Smith, Johnson, & Smith et al. (2020).
2. If you are citing a source with two authors who have the same last name, include their first initials to differentiate between them. For example: A. Smith and B. Smith (2020).
3. If you are citing a source with two authors who have different last names but the same first name, include their middle initial to differentiate between them. For example: A. Smith and B. Smith (2020).
4. When citing two authors in a paraphrase, you can simply list their last names and the publication date in parentheses, without mentioning the page number. For example: According to Smith and Johnson (2020), social media has both positive and negative impacts on young adults.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your in-text citations for two authors in APA format are accurate and consistent. Remember that proper citation is essential for academic integrity and giving credit to the original authors of the work.
