12 min read
Published on: Mar 29, 2024
Last updated on: Jun 24, 2024
Writing papers for school can get tricky, especially when it comes to citing sources.
Many students find it confusing to pick the right way to give credit to the sources they use in their work.
Imagine you're working hard on your research, putting together a great argument, and then suddenly you hit a roadblock - figuring out whether to use APA or MLA citation styles. Getting it wrong might jeopardize the credibility of your work.
Don't worry! This guide is here to help.
We'll explain the ins and outs of APA and MLA, making the rules easy to understand. We will also explain the key differences and how you cite your sources in each format.
Let's dive in!
The American Psychological Association's APA format is a widely accepted style guide. It is commonly applied in the social sciences, psychology, and business and provides a structured framework for organizing papers.
Notable features include a title page, specific guidelines for headings, and a citation system, enhancing clarity and precision in academic writing.
The Modern Language Association MLA format is widely used in the humanities, including literature, language, and the arts. Its emphasis on simplicity and flexibility makes it a preferred choice for many writers.
Whether you're working on an essay, research paper, or other academic projects, a solid grasp of MLA guidelines is important.
When it comes to academic writing, proper citation is essential for acknowledging the sources of information and maintaining scholarly integrity.
Two widely used citation styles, APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association), have their own distinct formats.
Understanding the key differences between APA and MLA citation styles is crucial for researchers, students, and writers.
Here are some notable distinctions:
Understanding the distinctions in page formatting is essential for adhering to the guidelines of academic writing styles.
Each style has specific requirements for how a document should be structured and presented.
APA requires:
MLA requires:
Let’s find out the differences between APA vs MLA for in-text citations:
In APA style, in-text citations follow the author-date format.
This means that the author's last name and the publication year are included in parenthetical citations. It means to add parentheses at the end of the cited information.
For direct quotations, the page number is also included.
(Author's Last Name, Year, p. Page Number) |
Here's an example:
|
In MLA style, in-text citations follow the author-page number format.
The author's last name and the page number are placed within parentheses at the end of the cited information.
If the author's name is mentioned in the text, only the page number is enclosed in parentheses.
(Author's Last Name Page Number) |
Here's an example:
|
In-Text Citation for a Direct Quote:
In-Text Citation for a Paraphrase:
While both APA and MLA styles serve similar purposes, they exhibit distinct understanding in formatting reference lists.
Format: Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Source Information. DOI or URL
Example of Journal Article Reference:
Johnson, M. L. (2018). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Science and Technology, 42(3), 345-358. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2018.1234567 |
Format: Author's Last Name, First Name. Title of the Work. Container Title, Publication Date, Page Range. URL (if applicable).
Example of Journal Article Reference:
Johnson, Mary L. "The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity." Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 42, no. 3, 2018, pp. 345-358. https://www.example.com/johnson_climate_change |
While both APA and MLA styles provide information about sources, they differ in their formatting and citation styles for annotated bibliographies.
APA annotations tend to be longer and provide more comprehensive evaluations, including details about the research methods and key findings.
In contrast, MLA annotations are generally shorter and focus on summarizing the source's contribution and assessing its relevance to the research topic.
Here is a table for APA vs MLA Annotated Bibliography:
Component | APA Annotated Bibliography | MLA Annotated Bibliography |
Citation Style |
|
|
Annotation Length | Longer annotations (150-200 words). | Shorter annotations (100-150 words). |
Content | Include author credentials, research methods, and key findings | Comments on the author's authority or perspective |
Function | Assesses reliability, relevance, and quality. | Evaluates relevance |
Writing Style | Typically presented in paragraph format. | Presented in a concise paragraph format. |
Here are examples of reference entries for various sources in both MLA and APA formats:
Book:
Journal Article:
Website:
While APA and MLA styles have distinct guidelines, they share some commonalities in their approach to academic writing.
Here are some similarities between APA and MLA:
Choosing between APA and MLA citation formats depends on various factors, including the academic discipline, the type of document, and instructor preferences.
Both styles have distinct guidelines, and understanding their differences can help you make an informed decision.
Understand when to use APA vs MLA according to your academic discipline. Sciences often prefer APA, while humanities tend to favor MLA.
Always follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor. Some educators may have a preference for one style over the other.
If you are submitting your work to a specific publication or journal, choose according to their preferred citation style.
Enhance your academic writing experience by trying PerfectEssayWriter.ai's APA Citation Generator and MLA Citation Generator.
Our user-friendly tools simplify the citation process, ensuring accuracy and adherence to formatting guidelines.
PerfectEssayWriter.ai also offers a complete citation generator online that will assist you in citing your sources in multiple formats, including APA and MLA!
So, do not waste your time! Try it today!
APA is common in social sciences, MLA in humanities, and Chicago is versatile, often used in history, fine arts, and even business and management. Always check the guidelines provided by your instructor or publication.
The key distinctions in these research papers lie in citation formats, preferred disciplines, and specific formatting rules. APA is often used in social sciences, while MLA is common in humanities.
WRITTEN BY
Cathy Aranda (Marketing)
Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.
Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.
On This Page On This Page
APA Format (7th Edition) - Updated Guidelines
Chicago Style Citation - Guidelines with Examples and Templates
Turabian Style - Learn How to Use With Examples
IEEE Citation - All That You Need to Know
ACS Citation and Referencing - Quick and Simple Guidelines
Vancouver Style Citation & Referencing - An Easy Manual
ASA Format Made Simple: A Quick Manual for Beginners
APSA Citation - Learn How to Cite With Examples
Harvard Style Citation & Referencing - What it is and How to Use it?
AMA Citation Format – An Easy Manual to AMA 11th Edition
NLM Citation Style: Easy-to-Follow Guidelines
AAA Citation Style - Formatting and Referencing Guidelines
MLA Formatting Style | All You Need to Know
First Order Free