In the rapidly evolving landscape of academic research, the need to cite online sources, including books, has become increasingly important. Citing online books requires adherence to specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and credibility in scholarly writing. Additionally, the use of “et al.” in text citations serves as a concise way to how to cite online book reference multiple authors. In this guide, we will explore the nuances of citing online books and incorporating “et al.” in text citations.
 Citing Online Books:           Â
Citing an online book entails several key components, including the author(s), title, publication information, and the URL. The Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago Manual of Style are among the widely used citation styles, each with its own set of rules. Here’s a general overview:
MLA Style:
In MLA style, the basic format for citing an online book is as follows:
Author Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Publisher, Publication Year, URL.
For example:
Smith, John. *The Art of Writing*. Random House, 2020, www.example.com/theartofwriting.
 APA Style:
In APA style, the citation format for an online book is slightly different:
Author Last Name, First Initial(s). (Year). *Title of Book*. Publisher. URL
For example:
Smith, J. (2020). *The Art of Writing*. Random House. www.example.com/theartofwriting
Chicago Style:
Chicago style offers two main citation formats: notes and bibliography, and author-date. For online books, the notes and bibliography style is commonly used:
Author Last Name, First Name. *Title of Book*. Place of publication: Publisher, Year of publication. URL
For example:
Smith, John. *The Art of Writing*. Chicago: Random House, 2020. www.example.com/theartofwriting.
 “Et al.” in Text Citations:
“Et al.” is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “et alia,” meaning “and others.” It is used in in-text citations to indicate that a source has how to cite multiple authors without listing them all. The application of “et al.” depends on the number of authors and the citation style.
 MLA Style:
In MLA style, use “et al.” after the first author’s name in the first citation. For subsequent citations, use only the first author’s name followed by “et al.”
Example:
First citation: (Smith et al. 45)
Subsequent citations: (Smith et al. 57)
 APA Style:
In APA style, use “et al.” after the first author’s name in all citations, including the first one.
Example:
(Smith et al., 2020)
 Chicago Style:
In Chicago style, the use of “et al.” is similar to APA style. Place it after the first author’s name in all citations.
Example:
(Smith et al. 2020, 34)
In conclusion, proper citation of online books is essential for maintaining the integrity of academic writing. Whether using MLA, APA, or Chicago style, adherence to et al in text citation specific guidelines ensures consistency and accuracy. Similarly, the judicious use of “et al.” in text citations helps streamline references to multiple authors, contributing to a more concise and readable scholarly work. Researchers and students alike should familiarize themselves with these guidelines to uphold the standards of academic integrity and contribute to the robust exchange of knowledge.
