APA Citation with Two Authors: An Example and Guide

What do you mean by APA citation?

APA citation refers to the method of acknowledging and documenting sources used in academic writing, as per the guidelines set by the American Psychological Association (APA). It ensures that readers can easily locate the sources referenced in a particular work and enables researchers to give credit to the original authors.

How to cite a source with two authors in APA?

When citing a source with two authors in APA format, you should include both authors’ last names and the publication year within parentheses, separated by an ampersand (&). For instance, (Smith & Johnson, 2022). In the reference list, the names of both authors should be listed in the same order as they appear in the source.

What is known about APA citation with two authors?

APA citation with two authors is a commonly used format in academic writing. It helps in giving proper credit to the original authors and allows readers to retrieve the sources mentioned in a particular work. By citing sources accurately, scholars contribute to the integrity of academic research and avoid plagiarism concerns.

Solution for citing a source with two authors in APA

To cite a source with two authors in APA format, you need to follow a specific pattern. Start with both authors’ last names, separated by an ampersand (&), within parentheses. Include the publication year after the authors’ names. Remember to use an ampersand instead of and when listing the authors. This applies both in-text and in the reference list.

For example, if you are citing a book written by John Smith and Emma Johnson, published in 2022, your in-text citation would look like this: (Smith & Johnson, 2022). In the reference list, you would list both authors’ names in the same order as they appear on the source.

Additional information on APA citation with two authors

When citing a source with two authors, it is essential to use the & symbol instead of the word and between the authors’ names in both in-text citations and the reference list. This ensures clarity and consistency for readers. If there are multiple citations within parentheses, arrange them in alphabetical order based on the first author’s last name.

It is also crucial to pay attention to the punctuation and formatting guidelines provided by APA. Use proper punctuation marks, italics for book titles, and quotation marks for article titles. Ensure that the citation is accurate and complete, including all necessary information such as the title, publication year, and page numbers when applicable.

Conclusion

APA citation with two authors follows a specific format to ensure proper documentation of sources in academic writing. By using this format, researchers and writers can uphold the integrity of their work and provide readers with the necessary information to locate and verify the original sources. Remember to follow the guidelines provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) and pay attention to the details to create accurate and reliable citations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use and instead of & when citing a source with two authors in APA?

No, in APA citation, it is recommended to use an ampersand (&) between the authors’ names, both in-text citations and the reference list.

2. What if the source has more than two authors?

For sources with three or more authors, use the first author’s name followed by et al. in both in-text citations and the reference list.

3. How should I list the authors in the reference list?

In the reference list, list the authors’ names in the same order as they appear in the source, separated by commas. The last name should be followed by the author’s initials.

4. Do I need to include page numbers when citing a book with two authors in APA?

Page numbers are not required in in-text citations for paraphrased information. However, when directly quoting from a source, include the page numbers after the publication year.

5. Can I cite a source with two authors using only one author’s last name?

No, it is important to include both authors’ last names in APA citations to give proper credit to both authors and avoid any misrepresentation of the original work.