Writing in MLA vs APA citation style is a herculean task, and if you are writing an academic paper, you will need to cite your sources using a specific citation style. But how do you know which style to use? There are many citation styles, but two of the most common ones are MLA and APA. Choose the best examples, perfect practicing tips, and exceptional formatting styles to write your essay like a pro. All you have needed is to choose our free essay writers who not only demonstrate you the best techniques but guide you through the whole process.
MLA vs APA are two citation styles that provide rules and guidelines for formatting your paper and citing your sources. MLA stands for Modern Language Association, and APA stands for American Psychological Association. Both styles have their own official manuals that explain how to apply them correctly.
MLA is mainly used in the humanities, such as languages, literature, philosophy, religion, and art. APA is mainly used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, education, and business.
MLA and APA have some similarities, such as using parenthetical citations in the text and a list of references at the end of the paper. However, they also have some differences in terms of layout, formatting, and citation details. Here are some of the key differences between MLA and APA:
MLA does not require a separate title page; instead, it includes the author’s name, instructor’s name, course name, and date on the first page of the paper. APA requires a separate title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation.
MLA uses a header on the upper right corner of each page that includes the author’s last name and the page number. APA uses a header on the upper left corner of each page that includes a shortened version of the title (called a running head) and the page number.
MLA uses the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase. For example: (Smith 12). APA uses the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses after the quote or paraphrase. For example: (Smith, 2019). If there is a direct quote, APA also includes the page number or paragraph number. For example: (Smith, 2019, p. 12) or (Smith, 2019, para. 3).
MLA calls it a Works Cited list; APA calls it a References list. Both lists are arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. However, they have different rules for formatting each entry. For example
MLA: |
APA: |
|
Smith, John. How to Write a Good Paper. Oxford University Press, 2019. |
Smith, J. (2019). How to write a good paper. Oxford University Press. |
Notice these primary differences:
| – MLA uses the full first name; APA uses only the first initial.
– MLA capitalizes all major words (excluding articles (a/an/the) and prepositions (of, out, in)); |
-APA only capitalizes first words in the titles and proper nouns (names).
– MLA states the medium of publication (print, web); APA does not. – MLA uses periods between each element; APA uses commas. |
The best way to choose the right citation style for your paper is to follow your instructor’s guidelines or your department’s requirements. If you are not sure which style to use, ask your instructor or supervisor for clarification.
If you have some flexibility in choosing your citation style, you can base your decision on your area of study or your topic. Generally speaking:
– Use MLA if you are writing about humanities subjects such as languages, literature, philosophy, religion, or art.
– Use APA if you are writing about social sciences subjects such as psychology, sociology, education, or business.
You can also consider other factors such as your audience’s preferences or expectations, your personal preference or comfort level with each style, or your access to APA Vs MLA resources that can help you apply each style correctly.
MLA and APA are two common citation styles that have different rules and guidelines for formatting your paper and citing your sources. The main differences between them are in terms of layout, formatting, and citation details. To choose the right citation style for your paper, you should follow your instructor’s guidelines or your department’s requirements. If you have some flexibility in choosing your citation style, you can base your decision on your area of study or your topic.
We hope this article has helped you understand what MLA and APA are and how to choose between them for your paper. If you need more help with applying either style correctly, you can check out our online resources or contact us for professional assistance.