In your sentence, you’ll write both last names connected by the word “and.” No ampersand (&) allowed—that’s for APA, and we’re not that formal here. Example: (Miller and Williams 45).
If you name the authors in your sentence, you only need the page number at the end. Like this: Miller and Williams argue that “coffee is the true fuel of academic breakthroughs” (45).
Notice how “and” replaces the comma between the names? That’s the secret handshake of MLA two-author citations. It keeps things flowing.
Why This Matters (Even in Real Life)
Imagine texting a friend: “Sara and Jake said the party is at 8.” You wouldn’t write “Sara & Jake” unless you were naming a law firm. Same logic applies here.
Using the full word “and” makes your writing sound conversational and natural, not like a robot. It’s the difference between a stiff lecture and a chatty podcast.
