How to handle multiple authors in citations?

Multiple author citations follow specific formatting conventions depending on the academic style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). The core principle involves clearly identifying all contributors while ensuring conciseness and readability, typically by listing all authors on the first citation and employing abbreviated forms like "et al." subsequently. Consistency within the document is paramount. Key rules vary: APA generally lists up to 20 authors before using "et al." after the first 19 names; MLA uses "et al." for four or more authors immediately; Chicago offers author-date and notes-bibliography systems with differing et al. thresholds. Always verify the requirements of the specific style guide and adhere strictly to its conventions for author order, punctuation, and abbreviation triggers. Check publisher or institutional guidelines for potential deviations. In practice, list all authors' surnames and initials on the first mention of a multi-author work. For subsequent mentions, apply the relevant style's abbreviated form, most commonly the first author's surname followed by "et al." Utilize reference management software (e.g., Zotero, EndNote) to automate this process accurately according to the selected style, significantly reducing errors and ensuring consistent formatting throughout the manuscript's references and in-text citations. This maintains clarity of attribution while enhancing manuscript professionalism and readability.