Now, this is where it gets fun—and by "fun" I mean "slightly ironic." If your source has four or more authors, MLA has a mercy rule. You only use the first author’s last name, followed by the Latin abbreviation "et al." This translates to "and others."
So instead of writing (Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Davis 101), you just write (Johnson et al. 101). Feels like cheating, doesn’t it? It’s like ordering a pizza for a party and only paying for the first slice. I love it.
But heads up: in your Works Cited, you must list the first author, then "et al." No periods after "al"? Actually, yes—there’s a period: et al.. It’s a Latin abbreviation, so pretend you’re a little more cultured than you let on. (I always imagine it as a secret handshake.)
75 Mla Citation Example Multiple Authors
The "Wait, What If It’s a Group?" Trap
Sometimes, your "author" is actually a corporation or a committee—like the American Medical Association. Treat it like a single author. Use the full name in the first citation, then an abbreviation if needed.
For example: (American Medical Association 22). Next time: (AMA 22). Don’t overthink it. If it’s a group of people who all decided to write together, just type their name in the parentheses. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
