Citing Sources: Single vs. Multiple Authors

Citing One vs. Multiple Authors

• When citing multiple works by the same author in the same year, list them alphabetically by title and label them (YYYYa) and (YYYYb).
• When citing multiple sources within the same parentheses, order them as they appear in the reference list and separate them with a semicolon.

Citing Within a Paragraph

• If a paragraph is primarily from one source, cite the author and date at the beginning, and you can use transitional phrases without repeating the citation unless your teacher requires it.
• If you cite an author’s name within the sentence, you don’t need to include the date in other sentences within the same paragraph, but you still need it in parenthetical citations.
• When multiple sources or your own discussion are woven into a paragraph, cite each sentence to maintain clarity for the reader.

Citing Sources Without Page Numbers

• When citing sources without page numbers, use "para." and the paragraph number. You may also include the relevant section heading, enclosed in quotation marks and shortened if needed.
• For video and audio sources, cite the timestamp; for PowerPoint presentations, use the slide number.

Citing Classical Works

• For major classical works like the Qur’an, The Odyssey, and Macbeth, use their standard numbering systems instead of page numbers.

Citing Authors in the Text

• In the body of an APA paper, use last names only for authors, even on first reference.
• Don't include titles like "Jr." or academic degrees.
• Use first and last names only if necessary to distinguish between two sources.

Citing Works Without an Author

• Use the first words of the title for sources without a known author.
• Italicize titles of periodicals, books, and reports; use quotation marks for article titles.

Citing Works with Multiple Authors

• For sources with two authors, cite both every time.
• For sources with three or more authors, cite the first author's name with "et al."
• In narrative citations with two authors, write out "and"; in parenthetical citations, use "&".

Citing Group Authors

• When citing an organization as the author, spell out its full name on the first reference.
• If the organization is well-known or will be cited at least two more times, an abbreviation (in parentheses) follows the full name and replaces it in subsequent citations.

This quiz focuses on the principles of citing sources in academic writing, particularly when referencing one or multiple authors. It covers citation techniques within a paragraph and how to cite sources that lack page numbers. Test your understanding of proper citation practices!