Harvard Style vs. MLA Style

Attribute	Harvard Style	MLA Style
Citation in text	Author's last name and year of publication	Author's last name and page number
Reference list	Alphabetical list of sources at the end of the paper	Works Cited page at the end of the paper
Format for books	Author's last name, first initial. (Year). Title. Publisher.	Author's last name, first name. Title. Publisher, Year.
Format for websites	Author's last name, first initial. (Year). Title of webpage. Website name. URL	Author's last name, first name. "Title of Webpage." Website name, Publisher, Date published. URL

Introduction

When it comes to academic writing, citing sources is a crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked. Two popular citation styles used in academia are Harvard Style and MLA Style. While both styles serve the same purpose of giving credit to the original sources of information, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the key features of Harvard Style and MLA Style to help you understand the differences between the two.

Citation Format

One of the main differences between Harvard Style and MLA Style is the way citations are formatted. In Harvard Style, citations are included in the text with the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses. For example, (Smith, 2019). In contrast, MLA Style uses the author's last name and the page number in parentheses. For example, (Smith 25). This difference in citation format is important to note when using either style in your writing.

Reference List

Another key distinction between Harvard Style and MLA Style is the format of the reference list. In Harvard Style, the reference list is arranged alphabetically by the author's last name. Each entry includes the author's name, publication year, title of the work, and other publication details. On the other hand, MLA Style organizes the reference list alphabetically by the author's last name as well, but the entries include the author's name, title of the work, publication information, and page numbers. This difference in the reference list format is essential to follow when using either style.

In-text Citations

Harvard Style and MLA Style also differ in how in-text citations are presented within the text. In Harvard Style, the author's last name and the year of publication are included in parentheses at the end of the sentence where the information is cited. For example, "According to Smith (2019),..." In MLA Style, the author's last name and the page number are included in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, "According to Smith (25),..." This distinction in in-text citations is important to maintain consistency in your writing.

Quotations

When it comes to incorporating quotations from sources, Harvard Style and MLA Style have specific guidelines to follow. In Harvard Style, short quotations are enclosed in double quotation marks within the text. For example, "This is a short quotation" (Smith, 2019, p. 25). In MLA Style, short quotations are also enclosed in double quotation marks within the text. For example, "This is a short quotation" (Smith 25). However, for long quotations, Harvard Style requires the text to be indented without quotation marks, while MLA Style requires the text to be double-spaced without quotation marks. Understanding these guidelines is crucial when including quotations in your writing.

Works Cited vs. References

One of the notable differences between Harvard Style and MLA Style is the terminology used for the list of sources at the end of the document. In Harvard Style, this list is referred to as the "References" section, while in MLA Style, it is called the "Works Cited" section. Despite the difference in terminology, both sections serve the same purpose of providing a comprehensive list of sources cited in the document. It is essential to use the correct terminology based on the citation style you are following.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Harvard Style and MLA Style are two widely used citation styles in academic writing. While both styles have the same goal of acknowledging the sources of information used in a document, they have distinct attributes that differentiate them. Understanding the differences in citation format, reference list organization, in-text citations, quotations, and terminology is crucial for effectively using either Harvard Style or MLA Style in your writing. By following the guidelines of the respective style, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent throughout your document.