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In MLA Style, you only include the full name of up to two authors. If you have three or more authors, include only the first author followed by the abbreviation et al. which stands for "and others." See the list below for the formatting of the author element in MLA style. (See MLA Handbook, 9th edition: Sections 5.5.2 - 5.5.22 for complete rules).

Formatting Authors in Works Cited Entries

• No Author – start with the title of the work
• 1 Author – Smith, Jane.
• 2 Authors – Smith, Jane and John Doe.
• 3 or more Authors – Smith, Jane, et al.

Other Types of Authors

In MLA Style, the author element can sometimes include editors, translators, and even corporations. When your source uses an editor as the author list the names as above and add "editor" or "editors" preceded by a comma.

• 1 editor - Smith, Jane, editor.
• 2 editors - Smith, Jane and John Doe, editors.
• 3 or more editors – Smith, Jane, et al., editors.

Translators can also be authors

• 1 translator - Smith, Jane, translator.
• 2 translator - Smith, Jane and John Doe, translators.
• 3 or more translator – Smith, Jane, et al., translators.

Organizations, groups, and government authors are cited as they appear on the source.

• American Heart Association
• United Nations
• U.S. Department of Labor

If you’re citing the contribution of a director, performer, screenwriter, creator of a work you can put these in the place of the author and use the appropriate label. If you’re citing a film or television series without focusing on an individual’s contribution start with the title. You can always list the names of directors, performers, etc. under “contributor.”

Examples:

Please contact one of our Librarians in person or through our Ask a Librarian if you have questions.