Let’s recap with a mini checklist. You’ll never forget this.
For in-text citations with three authors: Lastname, Lastname, and Lastname page.
For Works Cited with three authors: Lastname, Firstname, Firstname Lastname, and Firstname Lastname.
Yes, the second and third authors keep their first names first. Only the first author gets the reversal treatment.
Think of it like a game of musical chairs—only one chair gets turned around.
And always include a period at the end of the whole entry. It’s the period that tells MLA, “I’m done here.”
C. More than Three Authors - MLA Citation Style 7th Edition - LibGuides
What About Citing Two Sources by the Same Three Authors?
This happens more often than you’d think. If the same three people wrote two different books, don’t panic.
In the Works Cited, just add the title to differentiate them. The author list stays the same.
In the in-text citation, you can add a shortened title in parentheses. Example: (Brown, Green, and White, Cheese 42).
That tiny comma and title tell your reader exactly which book you mean. It’s like giving them GPS coordinates.
You can also mention the title in your sentence: “In Space Cheese, Brown, Green, and White argue that mold is underrated (12).”
See? You’re already a citation genius. The rules are just little guardrails.
