Citing Multiple Authors: A Chicago Style Saga
So, you've finally finished your masterpiece of academic brilliance. You're ready to conquer the world of academia with your groundbreaking research. But wait, there's one tiny, insignificant detail left: citations. Specifically, citing sources with multiple authors in the dreaded Chicago style. Let’s dive into this labyrinth together.
The Perils of Multiple Authors
Citing multiple authors in Chicago style is like herding cats: chaotic, unpredictable, and often ends in tears. But fear not, gentle reader, for I shall guide you through this perilous journey.
Rule Number One: Three or Fewer Authors? Name Drop 'Em All If you're blessed with a source that has three or fewer authors, consider yourself lucky. Chicago style demands that you list all their names in your citation, like a proud parent introducing their children. For example:
Smith, John, Jane Doe, and Richard Roe, The Art of Citation, (New York: Random House, 2023), 42.
Four or More Authors? It's an "Et Al." Situation
Once you hit four authors, Chicago style throws you a bone and allows you to use the magical phrase "et al." which basically means "and a bunch of other people." So, instead of writing out every single author's name, you can simply say:
Smith, John, et al., The Endless List of Authors, (New York: Random House, 2023), 42.
In-Text Citations: Keep It Concise
In-text citations are where things get a little tricky. For two or three authors, list all their last names. For four or more, just use the first author's last name followed by "et al."
Example: As Smith, Doe, and Roe argue (42),...Example: Smith et al. contend that... (42)
Bibliography: A Place for Everyone
In your bibliography, you generally list all authors up to ten. After that, it's back to "et al." magic.
FAQs: How to Conquer Chicago Citations
How to cite a source with multiple authors in-text?
- For 2-3 authors, list all last names. For 4+, use first author's last name and "et al."
How to cite a source with multiple authors in the bibliography?
- List all authors up to 10. After that, use "et al."
How to differentiate between author-date and notes-bibliography styles?
- Author-date uses parentheses for citations. Notes-bibliography uses footnotes.
How to format the names of multiple authors in a citation?
- Last name, First name for the first author, then comma and following authors' names.
How to handle sources with no page numbers?
- Use section headings or other identifying information instead.
There you have it! You're now armed with the knowledge to conquer multiple author citations in Chicago style. May the formatting gods be ever in your favor.
