Author Names in MLA | Citing One or Multiple Authors

Introduction

As we know, what’s weird? Something as simple as writing an author’s name in your assignment can actually trip you up. Like, you’re all set — your notes are ready, you’ve found the perfect quote, and then boom, we stop. Wait, how am I supposed to cite this?

Been there, trust me. If you’ve ever used MLA format, especially for subjects like English or the arts, or anything that sounds fancy, you already know how picky it can be. You’re not just supposed to slap on a name — there’s a proper way. And guess what? That “proper way” changes depending on how many authors there are.

One author? That’s easy. Two? Okay, doable. Three or more? Things get dicey. No author? Now you’re sweating. But here’s the thing — it’s not actually that hard. You just need someone to explain it like a normal person, not like a grammar robot. So that’s what we’re doing here. This guide will help you figure out exactly MLA citation multiple authors, how to cite authors in MLA, and mla citation multiple authorswhether there’s one name on the cover, a team of five people, or nobody at all. Let’s make it simple. No stress, no academic mumbo jumbo. Just real stuff that works.

Read More- How do I cite a source with multiple authors in MLA?

What is MLA Citation Style?

Alright. So MLA style..hm. It’s that thing where you show, like where you got a line or info from. It’s used mostly in school papers. I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like how to cite authors in MLA, MLA citation no author, MLA citation. This guide will help you figure out exactly how to write author names in MLA style

Example:

→ (Tyson 19)

That’s it. Don’t need “pg” or their full name. It just helps the teacher see you didn’t make it up. I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like how to cite authors in MLA, MLA citation no author, MLA citation.

Why Proper Author Citation Matters

If you take something from a book or site or even a movie… and don’t say where it’s from, then it kinda looks like you’re stealing. MLA is just a way to say — “yo, I got this from this person.” This guide will help you figure out exactly MLA citation multiple authors, how to cite authors in MLA, and mla citation multiple authorswhether there’s one name on the cover, a team of five people, or nobody at all.

It makes your work cleaner and also honest, you know?

And also, the name in brackets has to match what’s written in your Works Cited list. Otherwise, it gets confusing. So yeah. Don’t skip the author’s name. It matters. I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like how to cite authors in MLA, MLA citation no author, MLA citation and MLA citation no author.

General Rules for Author Names in MLA

So MLA rules. Yeah, they exist. And if you’re using someone’s words or even just their idea, you have to say, “Hey, I got this from here.”

The way MLA likes it? Just toss in the author’s last name and the page number. That’s it. You don’t need to say “page” or put a comma or anything. Just two things: the name and number.

Like… let’s say the author’s last name is Sharma and the info is from page 44 — then it’s:

(Sharma 44)

If you already said Sharma’s name in the sentence — like, “Sharma says people don’t read enough,” then at the end, you just drop in the number: I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like MLA format, MLA style, and author names. (44)

And, uh, don’t mix it up. The name you use in the paragraph should be the same as what’s on your Works Cited page. Sounds obvious, but yeah — people mess that up.

Also, MLA hates clutter. No “pg.” No first names. No symbols. Keep it clean. Like laundry-fresh clean. I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like MLA format, MLA style, and author names. (44)

Citing One Author in MLA

If there’s just one person who wrote the thing you’re using, you’re lucky. It’s the simplest kind. If you didn’t already say their name in the line, just put their last name and the page number. Like: (Khan 93)

Now, if you did say Khan’s name in the sentence. “Khan believes cities affect human mood” — just stick the page number at the end.

Like: (93)

For the full info? That goes in the Works Cited list at the back. Should look something like:

Khan, Rhea. Urban Spaces and the Mind. Maple House, 2021.

So yeah, nothing too crazy here. One author = one name. MLA doesn’t want drama.

Read More- How do I cite a source with multiple authors in Chicago style?

Citing Two Authors in MLA

So yeah, sometimes a book or article isn’t by just one person — two people worked on it. Happens a lot, right? MLA has a pretty chill rule for that.

If you didn’t already mention them in your line, then you just drop both last names with and in between. Like:

(Roy and Mehta 88)

That’s it. No comma, no fancy stuff. Definitely don’t use the "&" symbol. MLA’s not a fan of shortcuts like that.

Now, if you actually write their names out in your sentence — something like “Roy and Mehta explore how food reflects identity” — then yeah, just the page number goes in brackets after: (88)

Simple, right?

Then, in your Works Cited list, you gotta give both names in full — in the order they appear on the book or article, or whatever.

Roy, Ananya, and Kunal Mehta. The Taste Within. Culture & Cook, 2019.

It’s kind of just being fair, you know? Give both folks their credit.

Citing Three or More Authors in MLA

Now this one’s a little more... well, annoying at first. Let’s say a source has three or even five authors. Do you write all their names every time? Nope.

MLA lets you chill out and just go with the first person’s last name, followed by this little phrase: et al. That just means “and others,” but fancy. I this blog, we learn about the topics like MLA citation, multiple authors, MLA format one author, and citing two authors in MLA. Some other topics, like MLA format, MLA style, and author names. (44)

So if your authors are like Sharma, Lee, Gonzales, and Brooks, instead of writing all that, just say:

(Sharma et al. 102)

Cool, right?

And if you're dropping them into your sentence, it works the same way:

Sharma et al. argue that schools need a reset button (102).

One thing — don’t forget the punctuation part. “Et” doesn’t get a period. “Al.” does. So it’s: et al. ← like that.

People miss that all the time. I did once. Got points docked. Painful lesson.

Now in the Works Cited list, don’t get lazy — write everyone’s name. Even if it takes up half the page.

Sharma, Isha, Daniel Lee, Carla Gonzales, and Marcus Brooks. Rebuilding Classrooms. LearnEdge, 2021.

In-text = short. Works Cited = long and proper. That’s the MLA vibe.

Citing No Author in MLA

Ever found a page online that has all the right points, but no author? It happens. A lot, actually. Blogs, news pieces, or info posts — sometimes no one claims them.

So, what now?

MLA's rule here is simple: when there’s no listed author, just cite the title of the work. For bigger works, like books or documentaries, go for italics.

→ Example: (Digital Detox Now 58)

And yeah, some titles are crazy long. Don’t worry — just trim ‘em down.

→ ("Impact of Digital Media on Youth Sleep and School Results" 11) can become: ("Digital Media Impact" 11). So — even with no author, MLA helps you keep your references clean.

Citing Corporate or Group Authors

Alright, so sometimes the writer isn’t a person — it’s a group, right? Like the WHO or the UN, or maybe a research council.

MLA lets you treat organizations as the author. Here’s what to do:

1. Didn’t mention the group name in your sentence? Then put it in parentheses.

→ (World Health Organization 76)

1. Mentioned it already? Just add the page number after.

→ The World Health Organization notes rising anxiety in teens (76).

In your Works Cited, begin with the full name of the group — no shortcuts.

→ World Health Organization. Youth Anxiety Report. WHO Publishing, 2023.

Now, if that same group is also the publisher, MLA says don’t repeat it.

→ World Health Organization. Vaccination Report 2023, 2023.

Also, avoid using abbreviations like “WHO” unless you’re 100% sure readers recognize it.

Examples Summary Table

When stuck, just refer to this. It’s a lifesaver while writing under pressure.

Tips: Avoiding Common MLA Mistakes While Citing Authors

Okay, so if you’ve ever fumbled around with MLA citations at 2 AM while rushing to finish your essay — yeah, you’re not alone.

Here are a few super basic, real-life tips I swear by:

1. Only add the last name of the author — never the full name in your in-text citation.
2. No commas before the page number. MLA doesn’t like that.
3. Three or more authors? Don’t try to remember all their names — just write the first one and then “et al.”
4. Don’t overthink the page number. Just write it straight — no “p.” or anything weird.
5. Book titles? Use italics.

Article titles? “Put them in quotation marks.”

1. Match what you write in-text with what’s first in your Works Cited. That’s how the reader connects the dots.
2. Whatever style you pick, keep it that way throughout your paper. MLA hates inconsistency.
3. When in doubt — check the original source again. MLA rules are chill once you get used to them.

Read More- APA In-Text Citations (7th Ed.) | Multiple Authors & Missing ...

Conclusion – Final Thoughts Before You Submit

So here’s the deal — MLA citations might look boring, but once you get them, they actually make your writing feel more legit.

They tell your reader, “Hey, I didn’t make this stuff up — it’s backed by real sources.”

Whether it’s a known author, a team of researchers, or a random blog with no name, MLA has rules for all of them. You just follow the style, and you’re good.

Best part? After doing it a couple of times, you’ll start doing MLA in-text citations without even realizing it.

So yeah — next time you’re writing and wondering how to credit someone’s idea... this guide’s got your back. Now go crush that paper.