So, back to my 2 AM crisis. The secret is this: for two authors, use “and.” For three or more, use “et al.” That’s it. That’s the whole magic trick. You can close this article now, go back to your paper, and conquer that citation with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. I’m proud of you.
Remember, the MLA handbook isn’t your enemy. It’s just a very detailed, slightly pedantic friend who really cares about commas. And now, you have the key to the multiple-author kingdom. Go forth. Cite boldly. And maybe get some sleep when you’re done. You’ve earned it.
