Harvard vs. MLA

Attribute	Harvard	MLA
Citation Style	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	Reference list	Works Cited
Publication Date Format	Year	Year

Introduction

When it comes to academic writing, proper citation is essential to give credit to the original sources of information and to avoid plagiarism. Two of the most commonly used citation styles are Harvard and MLA. While both styles serve the same purpose, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the key features of Harvard and MLA citation styles to help writers choose the most suitable one for their work.

Citation Format

The Harvard citation style is known for its author-date system, where the author's last name and the publication year are included in the in-text citation. For example, (Smith, 2019). In contrast, MLA uses the author-page number format, where the author's last name and the page number are included in the in-text citation. For example, (Smith 25). This difference in format can impact the readability and flow of the text, as some writers may find one style more intuitive than the other.

Reference List

Another key difference between Harvard and MLA citation styles is how the reference list is formatted. 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 details, and the page numbers of the cited material. This difference in detail can affect the completeness and accuracy of the reference list.

In-text Citations

Harvard and MLA citation styles also differ in how in-text citations are presented within the text. In Harvard style, the author's last name and publication year are enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence or within the sentence itself. For example, "According to Smith (2019), the study found that..." In MLA style, the author's last name and page number are included in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, "The study found that..." (Smith 25). This difference in placement and format can impact the clarity and coherence of the text.

Quotations and Paraphrasing

When it comes to quoting and paraphrasing sources, Harvard and MLA citation styles have specific guidelines that writers must follow. In Harvard style, quotations are enclosed in double quotation marks with the author's last name, publication year, and page number included in the citation. For example, "Quote here" (Smith, 2019, p. 25). In MLA style, quotations are also enclosed in double quotation marks with the author's last name and page number included in the citation. For example, "Quote here" (Smith 25). This difference in citation format can impact the accuracy and credibility of the writer's work.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Harvard and MLA citation styles have distinct attributes that writers should consider when choosing the most suitable style for their work. While Harvard uses an author-date system and organizes the reference list alphabetically by the author's last name, MLA uses an author-page number format and includes more detailed publication information in the reference list. The differences in in-text citations, quotations, and paraphrasing guidelines also set these two styles apart. Ultimately, writers should familiarize themselves with the specific requirements of each style and choose the one that best fits their writing needs.