If you are not a mature writer, the MLA and APA differences and meanings are just abbreviations that mean nothing. However, formatting styles matter if you are dealing with academic papers. Behind every abbreviation is a particular set of rules you need to follow. Down the line, you will meet a detailed explanation of crucial moments and peculiarities of every style crucial for citing and bibliography.
What Is MLA vs APA In Text Citation?
APA and MLA are two widely spread citation styles in academic writing. They both provide guidelines for citing resources used in the text of a research paper or essay. While they share certain similarities, there are also notable differences between them.
Both APA and MLA styles require a corresponding entry in the reference list or works cited page, which provides more detailed information about each source. These pages are typically found at the end of an academic paper and provide readers with the necessary information to find the sources.
It is important to note that while APA and MLA are widely used, specific guidelines may vary, especially regarding more niche fields of study or specific academic journals. It is always a good idea to consult the official style guides or check with your teacher or professor to ensure accurate citation formatting.
What Is the Difference Between MLA and APA Format?
MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formats are popular for citing and formatting academic papers. While both are widely used, there are notable differences between them.
Before we start investigating the difference between MLA and APA styles, it must be mentioned that the requirements of every style are periodically updated and published in special manuals. Today, APA’s latest version was published in October 2019 and is the 7th manual edition. As for MLA, the actual is the 9th edition, released in April 2021.
APA format is mostly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It has a more structured approach to documenting sources and includes guidelines for organizing content, formatting headings, and presenting data. In APA, in-text citations typically comprise the author’s last name and the publication year in parentheses. A “References” page is included at the end of the paper, listing full bibliographic details for each source cited.
MLA format primarily focuses on humanities and liberal arts subjects, such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. It provides guidelines for citing resources within the text and creating a bibliography page at the end of the paper. In MLA, the author’s last name and page number are usually included in parentheses for in-text citations. This format also emphasizes using a works cited list to provide detailed bibliographic information for each source used.
Another difference between MLA and APA is the formatting of the title page and running headers.
- In MLA, the paper’s title is centered, and a header with the student’s last name and page number is placed in the top right corner.
- APA format, on the other hand, requires a running head with a shortened title and page number aligned to the top right and a title page with the full title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation.
Additionally, while both styles encourage in-text citations and references, their format differs. MLA utilizes a more straightforward parenthetical citation style, whereas APA incorporates a more complex system that includes the author’s name, date, and page number.
In summary, MLA and APA differences regarding their intended use, citation styles, and formatting guidelines are traced. Researchers and students should refer to the specific style guide relevant to their field to ensure their academic papers meet the required standards.
MLA and APA for Reference List
Creating accurate and well-formatted reference lists is essential to academic writing. Whether you are working on a research paper, essay, or any scholarly document, adhering to proper citation styles is crucial. This guide will explore the MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) formats and provide step-by-step instructions to help you construct impeccable reference lists, considering the similarities and differences between APA and MLA.
MLA Style
Understand the basics:
- MLA style uses an in-text parenthetical citation format and a corresponding Works Cited page.
- Arrange entries alphabetically by the author’s last name or title if no author exists.
- Use a hanging indent for each entry’s second and subsequent lines.
Book Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.
Journal Article Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, vol. Number, issue number, Year, page range.
Website Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of a Web page.” Title of Website, Publisher/Sponsor, Publication/Update Date, URL (exclude http:// or https://).
APA Style
Familiarize yourself with the basics:
- APA style employs an in-text parenthetical citation format and a corresponding References page.
- Sort entries alphabetically by the author’s last name and use a hanging indent format.
- Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) for online articles if provided.
Book Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Book. Publisher.
Journal Article Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of Article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), Page Range. DOI/URL (if applicable).
Website Reference Format:
- Author’s Last Name, First Initial. (Publication Date). Title of web page. Site Name. URL.
When writing reference lists, you must clarify, ‘What is the difference between MLA and APA format?’ It is of utmost importance to maintain academic integrity and acknowledge the work of others. Following the prescribed formats and guidelines ensures that your reference lists are accurate, properly formatted, and compliant with respective citation styles. Consult the official MLA and APA guides for specific examples and additional details.
More Facts on MLA vs. APA In Text Citation
If you want to produce a more convincing and upgraded text, citations MLA APA, etc. are obligatory. Using someone’s words in the text to provide evidence or cite to make your writing more significant is known as in-text citation. In-text citations play an integral role in scholarly writing, providing proper credit to the original authors and enabling readers to locate the cited sources.
MLA Style
MLA style is primarily applied in the humanities, including literature, arts, and other disciplines.
- In MLA, in-text citations typically consist of the author’s last name and the page number of the source.
It has been argued that “citation text” (Smith 47).
- Only the page number is needed if the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence.
According to Smith, “citation text” (35).
- When a work has two authors, include both names:
Some scholars have stated the opposite view (Johnson and Davis 25).
- If the source contains three or more authors, you need to use the last name of the first author followed by “et al.”:
Recent studies indicate this trend is changing (Brown et al. 82).
APA Style
APA style is mainly utilized in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education.
- In APA, in-text citations comprise the author’s last name and the publication year.
Citation text (Smith, 2019).
- Page numbers are included for direct quotations.
It has been argued that “citation text” (Smith, 2019, p. 47).
- When a work has two authors, include both names connected by an ampersand (&):
Some scholars have stated the opposite view (Johnson & Davis, 2020).
- If the source has three or more authors, you need to use the last name of the initial author, “et al.”, and the publication year.
Recent studies indicate this trend is changing (Brown et al., 2021).
Remember, both MLA vs APA in-text citations should correspond to the complete reference list at the end of your paper or document. Please note that the above examples serve as a general guide. It is essential to consult the official MLA and APA style guides or the specific requirements provided by your educational establishment or instructor to ensure citation accuracy.
Formatting Paper in MLA and APA
The general look, spacing, font, and other details that seem not decisive for context are essential when you must comply with the required formatting style. Let’s find out, ‘What is the difference between APA and MLA paper formatting?’
MLA Style Formatting
Page Setup:
- Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman with a 12-point size.
- Double-space the entire document.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the tab key.
- Place your last name and page number in the header, aligned right.
Title:
- Center-align the title in the middle of the first page.
- Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title, except for articles and conjunctions.
- Do not italicize, underline, or use bold for the title.
APA Style Formatting
Page Setup:
- Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use Times New Roman font with a 12-point size.
- Double-space the entire document.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch using the tab key.
- Place the page number in the header, aligned right.
Title:
- Center-align the title on the first page.
- Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title.
- Do not italicize, underline, or use bold for the title.
- Use a running header on the top-left corner of each page (except for the title page) with a title (up to 50 characters) in all capital letters.
Understanding how to format your papers correctly according to the APA and MLA citation styles is essential in academic writing. Whether you choose MLA or APA, adherence to the prescribed guidelines ensures consistency and professionalism and enhances the credibility of your research.
MLA and APA Differences in Application
In addition to peculiar requirements, the difference between MLA and APA may be observed in applying both. When deciding which style to use, paying attention to the requirements of the specific academic discipline or the instructor’s preferences is crucial. For example, MLA would be appropriate for writing a literature analysis or an English essay. Conversely, if you are conducting research in psychology or writing a scientific paper, APA would be more fitting.
Moreover, elementary and high school teachers prefer assigning MLA-style papers since they are not intended for scholarly research or investigations. At the same time, APA is more popular among college and university students since it often deals with advanced scientific papers.
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines provided by each style to ensure accurate citations and proper formatting. Many universities and academic institutions have writing centers or online resources that offer detailed guidance on using and defining the difference between MLA and APA styles.
Comparison of APA and MLA Features
Both APA and MLA citation styles have unique features designed to suit specific disciplines and provide clarity in academic papers. Understanding these formatting guidelines and citation systems is crucial for researchers and students to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their work.
You may consult the table to understand the pivotal difference between APA and MLA styles and know the similarities.
| APA Style | MLA Style | |
| Subjects common for citation | Social science (Psychology, Sociology, Nursing, Media Science, Social Work) | Humanities (Literature, Languages, Cultural studies) |
| Spacing
Font
Margins |
Double-spacing
Hanging indent for citation Time New Roman 12
1’’ margins |
Double-spacing
Hanging indent for citation Time New Roman 12
1’’ margins |
| Title page
First Page Header (Sometimes universities may require a specialized title page) |
Title page is necessary:
Theory of Psychoanalysis Jason N. Davis
The University of Washington |
Header is on the first page, then title in the center at the essay beginning:
Jason N. Davis Professor Diana Smith Psychology 112 12 December 2023
|
| Bibliography | Guy, J. (2001) The view across the river: Harriette Colenso and the Zulu struggle against imperialism. Charlottesville, Virginia: University Press of Virginia. | Allen, Thomas B. Vanishing Wildlife of North America. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1974. |
| Citation order | Alphabetical for authors
Chronological for works |
Alphabetical for both authors and works |
| Headings | Headings and subheadings are used for paper organization | No headings or subheadings |
| Direct in-text citation | (James, 2021, p.20) | (James 20) |
| Indirect in-text citation | (James, 2021) | According to Jammes, this theory is controversial (20). |
|
Running Header |
On every page (the paper title is on the left, and the page number is on the right)
Title page running header: THEORY OF PSYCHOANALYSIS
Other pages running header: THEORY OF PSYCHOANALYSIS 6
|
On every page, there is the author name and page on the right
Jason 6 |
| URLs & DOIs | No period after the URL or DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7560/IC47402 |
Period after the URL or DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7560/IC47402.
|
Now, you are familiar with all the peculiarities and requirements of the two formatting styles you will definitely face in educational establishments, so you will feel confident using our guidelines and copying any paper.
FAQ
Which style is more widely used, APA or MLA?
Both APA citation vs MLA citation styles are widely used, but their prevalence can vary depending on the field of study or discipline. The APA style is mainly used in social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. On the other hand, the MLA style is frequently used in humanities disciplines, including literature, languages, and cultural studies.
Which style is more acceptable for colleges, APA or MLA?
According to data from various academic institutions, it is generally seen that the APA style is more commonly used than the MLA style in college settings. However, it’s important to note that the preferred citation style may vary among different colleges and individual professors. Hence, it is always recommended to consult your professor or refer to the specific guidelines provided by your educational institution for accurate information on citation styles.
What are the similarities between APA and MLA?
Both APA and MLA require in-text citations to give credit to the source of information. These citations are included within the body of the text and provide the reader with a brief reference to the full citation in the reference list or works cited page. Moreover, APA and MLA formats utilize a hanging indent for the reference list or works cited page. A hanging indent is when the first line of each citation is flush left, while subsequent lines are indented.
Can we use interchangeably APA and MLA styles?
Since there are numerous differences between MLA and APA, changing the requirements while writing is not recommended. MLA is often used in humanities, literature, and liberal arts, while APA is commonly used in social sciences, psychology, and education. Moreover, you risk receiving lower grades if you do not comply with the teacher’s requirements.
