APA Style vs. MLA Style

Attribute	APA Style	MLA Style
Citation Format	Author-date	Author-page number
In-text Citations	(Author, Year)	(Author Page)
Reference List	Alphabetical by author's last name	Alphabetical by author's last name
Works Cited	References	Works Cited
Publication Manual	Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association	MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers

Introduction

When it comes to academic writing, two of the most commonly used citation styles are APA (American Psychological Association) Style and MLA (Modern Language Association) Style. Both styles have their own set of rules and guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and creating bibliographies. Understanding the differences between APA and MLA styles can help writers choose the appropriate style for their assignments.

Formatting

One of the key differences between APA and MLA styles is the formatting of the paper. In APA Style, papers are typically formatted with a title page, abstract, main body, and references page. The title page includes the title of the paper, the author's name, and the institutional affiliation. In contrast, MLA Style does not require a title page. Instead, the author's name, instructor's name, course title, and date are typically included in the upper left-hand corner of the first page.

In-text Citations

Another important difference between APA and MLA styles is how in-text citations are formatted. In APA Style, in-text citations typically include the author's last name and the year of publication, such as (Smith, 2019). In MLA Style, in-text citations include the author's last name and the page number, such as (Smith 25). Additionally, APA Style uses the author-date format for in-text citations, while MLA Style uses the author-page format.

References/Bibliography

Both APA and MLA styles require writers to include a list of references or a bibliography at the end of their papers. In APA Style, the references page lists all sources cited in the paper and is formatted alphabetically by the author's last name. Each entry includes the author's name, publication year, title of the work, and publication information. In MLA Style, the bibliography is called the Works Cited page and is also formatted alphabetically by the author's last name. Each entry includes the author's name, title of the work, publication information, and medium of publication.

Quotations

When it comes to incorporating quotations into a paper, APA and MLA styles have different guidelines. In APA Style, short quotations (less than 40 words) are included within the text in double quotation marks, while longer quotations are indented and formatted as a block quote. In MLA Style, short quotations are also included within the text in double quotation marks, but longer quotations are indented and do not require quotation marks.

Writing Style

APA and MLA styles also have different preferences when it comes to writing style. APA Style is commonly used in the social sciences and focuses on clarity and conciseness. It uses a formal tone and avoids the use of first-person pronouns. In contrast, MLA Style is often used in the humanities and emphasizes the author's voice and interpretation. It allows for a more personal writing style and the use of first-person pronouns.

Conclusion

While both APA and MLA styles have their own unique attributes, understanding the differences between the two can help writers choose the appropriate style for their assignments. Whether you are writing a research paper in the social sciences or a literary analysis in the humanities, knowing the rules and guidelines of APA and MLA styles can help you create a well-formatted and properly cited paper.