How to Quote 2 Authors APA: A Comprehensive Guide
In academic writing, citing sources is crucial to maintain academic integrity and provide readers with the necessary information to locate the original material. The APA (American Psychological Association) citation style is widely used in the social sciences, education, and business fields. One common scenario in APA citation is when you need to quote two authors within the same source. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to quote 2 authors APA correctly.
Understanding the Basics of APA Citation
Before diving into how to quote 2 authors APA, it’s essential to understand the basic structure of APA citations. An APA citation typically includes the author’s last name, the publication year, the title of the source, and the source’s location (e.g., page number or URL). The format may vary depending on the type of source, such as a book, journal article, or website.
Quoting Two Authors Within the Same Sentence
When quoting two authors within the same sentence, you should list both authors’ last names in parentheses, separated by an ampersand (&). Here’s an example:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the study found that “participants who received the new intervention showed significant improvements in their cognitive abilities” (p. 45).
Quoting Two Authors in Different Sentences
If you quote two authors in different sentences, you can mention the first author in the first sentence and the second author in the second sentence. Here’s an example:
Smith (2020) argues that “the new policy has been beneficial for the community” (p. 23). Additionally, Johnson (2020) suggests that “further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of the policy” (p. 37).
Using a Signal Phrase to Introduce the Quote
To provide context and avoid plagiarism, it’s often a good practice to use a signal phrase when quoting two authors. A signal phrase is a brief statement that introduces the quote and provides the author’s name and publication year. Here’s an example:
According to Smith and Johnson (2020), the study found that “participants who received the new intervention showed significant improvements in their cognitive abilities” (p. 45).
Formatting the In-text Citation
When formatting the in-text citation, you should use parentheses and include the authors’ last names, publication year, and the page number (if applicable). If there are three or more authors, you can use “et al.” to represent the additional authors. Here’s an example:
Smith, Johnson, & Brown (2020) found that “the new policy has been beneficial for the community” (p. 23).
Conclusion
Quoting two authors APA is an essential skill for academic writers. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your quotes are correctly formatted and provide your readers with the necessary information to locate the original source. Remember to always cite your sources appropriately to maintain academic integrity and give credit where it is due.
