MLA vs. APA: Key Formatting Differences

APA and MLA are two commonly used citation styles in academic writing. APA Style is defined by the rules in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (currently in its 7th edition), and MLA Style follows the guidelines in the MLA Handbook (currently in its 9th edition, published by the Modern Language Association).

Here's a breakdown from our essay writer service of how citations work in both styles:

In-text citations:

• APA: A brief parenthetical citation in the text.
• MLA: A brief parenthetical citation in the text.

End-of-paper references:

• Both styles require a full reference at the end of the paper.

Differences in citations:

• APA and MLA have slight variations in citing elements such as title capitalization, writer names, and date placement.

Layout and format:

• Both styles differ in layout and format.

Choosing the Appropriate Style

Deciding whether to use APA or MLA styles hinges on several key considerations. Sometimes, you might have to use Chicago style. If that's the case, we've got a whole other article just for that. Meanwhile, here's a detailed breakdown to help you make an informed choice between MLA and APA formats:

Academic discipline:

• APA: Primarily used in the social sciences (psychology, sociology, etc.) and sciences.
• MLA: Commonly employed in the humanities (literature, philosophy, arts).

Type of source material:

• APA: Well-suited for research papers, emphasizing the writer's name and publication date. Ideal for scientific studies and empirical research.
• MLA: Often preferred for works in literature and the arts, focusing on the contributor's name and page number. Suitable for analyzing and citing literary sources.

Your instructor's preference:

• Some instructors may specify a preferred citation style for assignments. Check your assignment guidelines or consult your instructor for clarity.

Consistency:

• Crucial tip: Stick to one style consistently throughout your paper. Mixing citation styles can create confusion and detract from the overall quality of your work.

Available resources:

• Explore the resources provided by your academic institution. Some institutions offer specific guidelines or templates for an APA or MLA format, making it easier for you to adhere to the chosen style.

What is the Difference Between APA and MLA?

While MLA and APA styles differ in various aspects of grammar and format, the major contrast lies in how they handle references. Each style has its own way of dealing with citations, covering both the broader aspects, like creating a bibliography page, and finer details, such as whether to include the publication year in parenthetical citations. For a better understanding of how to format an essay, let's continue exploring the article.

APA and MLA: In-Text Citations

In APA style, in-text citations include the author's last name and the publication year, enclosed in parentheses and placed at the end of a sentence before the punctuation.

Example:

(Anderson, 2019) - for a direct quote or paraphrased information.

For sources with multiple authors, list up to 20 authors, separated by commas. If there are more than 20 authors, use an ellipsis (...) after the 19th author's name and then provide the final author's name and the publication year.

Example with multiple authors:

(Miller, Brown, & Patel, 2021)

In MLA format, in-text citations include the author's last name and the page number without any commas between them. This information is typically placed at the end of a sentence before the punctuation.

Example:

(Johnson 72) - for a direct quote or paraphrased information.

For sources with no named writer, use a shortened version of the title.

Example with no named contributor:

("Impact of Technology" 45)

These distinct examples illustrate how to implement in-text citations in both APA and MLA styles, ensuring accurate and proper crediting of sources in your academic writing.

APA and MLA: Bibliography

In APA style, the bibliography is referred to as the "References" page. The entries are organized alphabetically by the last name of the writer. The basic format for a book citation includes the author's last name, a comma, the contributor's initials, a period, the publication year in parentheses, a period, the book title in italics, the publisher, and a period.

Example:

Anderson, J. (2019). The Art of Writing. Publisher Name.

For a journal article, the format includes the author's last name, a comma, the creator's initials, a period, the publication year in parentheses, a period, the article name in sentence case, the journal name in italics, the volume number in italics (issue number in parentheses, only if applicable), the page range, and a period.

Example:

Miller, A. R., Brown, S. M., & Patel, R. (2021). Title of the Article. Journal Name, 15(3), 45-60.

In MLA style, the bibliography is known as the "Works Cited" page. Entries are organized alphabetically by the author's last name or, if no creator is listed, by the title of the work. The basic format for a book citation includes the contributor's last name, a comma, the author's first name, a period, the book title in italics, the publisher, the publication year, and a period.

Example:

Johnson, T. Modern Perspectives. Publisher Name, 2018.

For a journal article, the format includes the creator's last name, a comma, the author's first name, a period, the article name in quotation marks, the journal name in italics, the volume number in italics (issue number in parentheses, only if applicable), the publication year, the page range, and a period.

Example:

Brown, K. "New Horizons." Journal of Research, 25(2), 112-130.

By adhering to the distinct formatting guidelines of APA and MLA styles for bibliography entries, you can effectively compile and present your sources in a way that aligns with the expectations of your chosen citation style.

MLA vs. APA: Paper Formatting

Beyond just citations, both MLA and APA come with their own set of rules for grammar and paper formatting. These differences might seem subtle, but they can be a bit tricky to navigate, especially if you're accustomed to one style and find yourself switching to the other. So, let's break down the major distinctions between MLA and APA all in one place for a quick and easy citation. Need help with formatting appendices? Check out guidelines for appendix Chicago style for comprehensive assistance.

MLA vs. APA: Style

Knowing the differences between MLA and APA styles is super important to keep your writing consistent and accurate. Pay attention to these little details, especially when your assignments ask for a specific citation style.

MLA format:

1. Italics for titles:

• MLA style italicizes titles of larger works (books, movies, etc.) and places titles of shorter works (articles, poems) in quotation marks.

Examples:

The Great Gatsby (book)

"The Road Not Taken" (poem)

2. Author's name:

• MLA format lists the writer's full name in the bibliography, starting with the last name, followed by the first name.

Example:

Johnson, Terry

3. Page Numbers:

• MLA format uses page numbers for in-text citations, indicating the specific location of the cited information.

Example:

(Johnson 45)

APA format:

1. Italics for emphasis:

• APA format uses italics for emphasis rather than underlining. Titles of books and journals are italicized.

Example:

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

2. Author's name:

• APA uses the writer's last name followed by their initials in the bibliography.

Example:

Johnson, T.

3. Publication date:

• APA format emphasizes the publication date in in-text citations to highlight the currency of the source.

Example:

(Johnson, 2019)

APA vs. MLA: Title Page and Paper Format

Understanding the title page and paper format distinctions between MLA and APA styles is crucial for presenting your work according to the conventions of each. Ensure you adhere to the specific requirements outlined by your instructor or academic institution for a polished and well-formatted document.

APA Style:

1. Title page:

• APA typically requires a title page with the paper title, creator's name, institutional affiliation, and an author note (if applicable).

2. Headings:

• APA uses a heading system with levels (e.g., Level 1, Level 2) to organize and structure the content.

3. Font and spacing:

• APA recommends using a serif font (e.g., Times New Roman) and requires double-spacing throughout the paper.

4. Margins:

• APA specifies 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.

MLA Style:

1. Title page:

• MLA format generally does not require a title page. The writer's name, instructor's name, course title, and date are usually placed on the top-left corner of the first page.

2. Headings:

• MLA uses a simpler heading structure without numbered levels, typically featuring the creator's name and page number in the top-right corner of each page.

3. Font and spacing:

• MLA format recommends using a sans-serif font (e.g., Arial) and requires double-spacing throughout the paper.

4. Margins:

• MLA specifies 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.