Differences Between APA and MLA Formatting

Published by EssayWriters on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

There are two main styles of formatting papers: MLA and APA. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two. In this article, we’ll take a look at the key differences between APA and MLA formatting.

Layout

One of the key differences between MLA and APA formatting is the layout of the paper. MLA formatting tends to be more informal, while APA formatting is more formal.

Fonts

Another difference is the fonts that are used in each style. MLA formatting typically uses Times New Roman or Garamond, while APA formatting uses Helvetica or Arial.

References

References are also formatted differently in MLA and APA style. In MLA style, references are listed at the end of the paper in a separate section.

Overview of MLA Formatting

MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting is a commonly used citation style in the humanities. It provides guidelines for writing academic papers, including formatting rules, in-text citations, and the works cited page. Here are some key aspects of MLA formatting:

1. General Formatting Rules:

– Use 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman.

– Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.

– Double-space the entire document.

– Include a header with your last name and page number in the top right corner.

2. In-Text Citations:

– MLA uses parenthetical citations within the text to acknowledge sources.

– Include the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the referenced material.

– For example: (Smith 25) or (Smith, Johnson 45-47).

3. Works Cited Page:

– MLA requires a list of works cited at the end of the paper.

– Entries should be alphabetically organized by the author’s last name.

– Include the author’s name, title of the source, publication information, and format.

The format for citing sources in MLA style is crucial for providing proper credit to authors and avoiding plagiarism. In-text citations and the works cited page give readers a clear understanding of the sources you have used in your paper.”

💡 key Takeaway: MLA formatting has specific rules for general formatting, in-text citations, and the works cited page, ensuring proper source attribution and credibility in academic writing.

General formatting rules

When it comes to general formatting rules, there are some key differences between MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) styles.

MLA Formatting:

– Use 12-point Times New Roman font.

– Double space the entire document.

– Set one-inch margins on all sides.

– Use a header with your last name and page number in the top right corner.

– Include a title centered in the middle of the page, without bold or underlining.

– Separate sections with section headings in bold.

– Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch.

APA Formatting:

– Use 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font.

– Double space the entire document.

– Set one-inch margins on all sides.

– Use a header with the title of the paper in all caps on the left, and the page number on the right.

– Insert a title page with a running head, title, author’s name, and institution.

– Use level headings to organize the content in a hierarchical structure.

– Align all text to the left, including titles and headings.

In both MLA and APA formats, it is important to include an appropriate header and page numbers. However, the specifics of formatting vary slightly between the two styles.

💡 key Takeaway: MLA and APA formatting styles have different guidelines for general formatting, including font, spacing, margins, and heading styles.

In-text citations

In-text citations are an important aspect of both APA and MLA formatting styles, but there are some key differences between the two. In MLA, in-text citations are typically placed within parentheses and include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information was taken. For example, (Smith 25). On the other hand, APA uses a different format for in-text citations. The author’s last name and the year of publication are included in parentheses, with a comma between them. For instance, (Smith, 2019).

It’s important to note that while MLA primarily uses the author-page format, APA sometimes includes the author’s name as part of the sentence itself, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. For example, According to Smith (2019),…

When it comes to in-text citations, the major distinction between MLA and APA lies in how the information is presented and formatted within the parentheses. It’s crucial to understand and follow the specific guidelines of each style to ensure proper citation of sources.

💡 key Takeaway: In-text citations in MLA and APA differ in terms of the format and placement of the author’s name, page numbers, and publication date. Understanding the specific guidelines of each style is essential for accurately citing sources in academic writing.

APA and MLA Formatting

Works cited page

The Works Cited page is a crucial component of both APA and MLA formatting styles. In MLA, the Works Cited page is placed at the end of the paper, and it includes a detailed list of all the sources cited in the text. The sources are listed in alphabetical order based on the last name of the author. Each citation includes the author’s name, title of the source, publication information, and medium of publication. MLA requires a hanging indent for the second and subsequent lines of each citation.

On the other hand, in APA formatting, the Works Cited page is called the Reference page. It is also located at the end of the document, and it provides a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in the paper. However, the Reference page in APA is organized differently than in MLA. The sources are listed in alphabetical order based on the author’s last name, just like in MLA. However, the first line of each citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented. In addition to the author’s name, publication information, and title, APA citations also include a digital object identifier (DOI) or a URL if the source is retrieved online.

💡 key Takeaway: The Works Cited page in MLA and the Reference page in APA both serve as a list of sources cited in a paper. While they share similarities in terms of alphabetizing citations and including publication information, they differ in terms of formatting, such as indentation and the use of a DOI or URL in APA formatting.

Overview of APA Formatting

APA (American Psychological Association) formatting is commonly used in social sciences, education, and psychology disciplines. It has its unique set of rules and guidelines for formatting academic papers.

General Formatting Rules:

1. Page Layout: APA papers should be typed on standard-sized paper (8.5″ x 11″) with 1-inch margins on all sides. The font should be Times New Roman, size 12, and the entire document should be double-spaced.

2. Title Page: APA papers require a title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the institutional affiliation. The title should be centered and written in title case.

3. Headings: APA uses a hierarchical system of headings to organize content. There are five levels of headings, each with specific formatting guidelines.

In-text Citations:

1. Author-Date System: APA uses an author-date citation system, where the author’s last name and the publication year are included in the in-text citation. For example, (Smith, 2019).

2. Direct Quotations: When directly quoting a source, APA requires the inclusion of page numbers. For example, (Smith, 2019, p. 45).

Reference Page:

1. Format: The reference page should be titled “References” and be centered at the top of the page. All references should be listed alphabetically by the author’s last name.

2. Hanging Indent: Each reference entry should have a hanging indent, where the first line is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented.

3. DOI or URL: If available, the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL of the source should be included in the reference entry.

💡 key Takeaway: APA formatting has specific guidelines for page layout, headings, in-text citations, and the reference page. It follows the author-date citation system and requires a hanging indent for the reference entries.

General formatting rules

When it comes to general formatting rules, MLA and APA have some key differences. In MLA formatting, the text is double-spaced, and a legible font such as Times New Roman is used. The font size is typically 12-point. On the other hand, APA formatting requires the use of a specific font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point font size. The text is also double-spaced in APA, and additional spacing is used before and after headings.

MLA example:

“The text is double-spaced, and a legible font such as Times New Roman is used. The font size is typically 12-point.”

APA example:

“The text is also double-spaced in APA, and additional spacing is used before and after headings.”

💡 key Takeaway: MLA and APA have differences in their general formatting rules, including font requirements and spacing.

In-text citations

In-text citations are an essential aspect of both MLA and APA formatting styles. However, there are some key differences in how these citations are formatted and used. In MLA, the author’s last name and the page number are typically included within parentheses directly after the information being cited. For example: (Smith 45). On the other hand, APA style requires the author’s last name and the year of publication, also within parentheses, but separated by a comma. For instance: (Smith, 2019). Additionally, MLA citations are typically placed at the end of a sentence, while APA citations are placed immediately after the referenced information. It’s important to note these distinctions to ensure accurate and consistent citation practices.

💡 key Takeaway: MLA and APA differ in the format and placement of in-text citations, with MLA using the author’s last name and page number, and APA using the author’s last name and year of publication.

Reference page

The reference page is an essential component of both MLA and APA formatting styles. It serves as a comprehensive list of all the sources cited within the text of a document. While the purpose of the reference page is the same in both MLA and APA, there are some key differences in terms of formatting and citation style.

1. MLA Reference Page:

– In MLA formatting, the reference page is called “Works Cited.”

– The Works Cited page is a separate page at the end of the document.

– Each entry on the Works Cited page starts with the author’s last name followed by their first name.

– Entries are listed alphabetically based on the author’s last name.

– The title of the source is italicized or put in quotation marks, depending on the type of source.

– The format for each entry includes the author, title, publication information, and medium of the source.

– The hanging indent is used for subsequent lines of each entry.

2. APA Reference Page:

– In APA formatting, the reference page is called “References.”

– The References page is also a separate page at the end of the document.

– Entries on the References page are arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

– The author’s last name is followed by their initials.

– The title of the source is formatted in sentence case and not italicized.

– The format for each entry includes the author, publication year, title, publication information, and DOI or URL if applicable.

– Each entry follows a hanging indent format.

💡 key Takeaway: The reference page is an important part of both MLA and APA formatting styles. In MLA, it is called “Works Cited” and includes the author’s last name followed by their first name, while in APA, it is called “References” and includes the author’s last name followed by their initials. The formatting and citation style for each entry also differ between the two styles.

Difference Between APA and MLA Formatting

When it comes to academic writing, two of the most commonly used formatting styles are MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association). While both styles have their own specific guidelines, there are some key differences between MLA and APA that writers should be aware of.

Format for Citing Sources:

– MLA: In MLA format, the author’s surname and the page number are included in the in-text citation. For example: (Smith 23). The works cited page sources alphabetically by the author’s last name.

– APA: In APA format, the author’s surname, the year of publication, and the page number (optional) are included in the in-text citation. For example: (Smith, 2019, p. 23). The reference page sources in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.

Placement of In-text Citations:

– MLA: In MLA format, in-text citations are placed within parentheses at the end of a sentence or quotation. The author’s name or the title of the work can also be mentioned within the sentence itself.

– APA: In APA format, in-text citations are placed within parentheses after the author’s name or at the end of a sentence. The year of publication is always included.

Format of the Works Cited/Reference Page:

– MLA: In MLA format, the works cited page is a separate page at the end of the paper. It includes a list of all the sources cited in the paper, arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each entry is formatted with hanging indents.

– APA: In APA format, the reference page is also a separate page at the end of the paper. It includes a list of all the sources cited in the paper, arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. Each entry is formatted with hanging indents as well.

💡 key Takeaway: MLA and APA formatting styles differ in terms of citing sources, placement of in-text citations, and the format of the works cited/reference page.

Format for citing sources

When it comes to citing sources, both MLA and APA formatting styles have their own distinct rules. In MLA format, the author’s last name and the page number are included in parentheses after the quotation or paraphrased information. For example: (Smith 25). On the other hand, APA format uses the author’s last name and the year of publication, separated by a comma, within parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2020).

Additionally, in MLA format, you only need to include the author’s last name and page number if available, whereas in APA format, you must include the author’s last name and year for every in-text citation. This means that in APA, even if you are paraphrasing or summarizing information, you still need to include the author and publication year in your citation.

💡 key Takeaway: The format for citing sources varies between MLA and APA, with MLA using the author’s last name and page number, and APA using the author’s last name and publication year.

Variations Between APA and MLA Formatting

Placement of in-text citations

In MLA formatting, in-text citations are typically placed within parentheses and include the author’s last name and the page number of the source. For example: (Smith 32). However, if the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number needs to be included in parentheses. For example: According to Smith (32). In contrast, APA formatting uses the author’s last name and the publication year of the source, also within parentheses. For example: (Smith, 2019). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, the publication year is placed in parentheses immediately after the author’s name. For example: Smith (2019) argued that…

In both MLA and APA formatting, the in-text citations are placed directly after the information being cited, whether it is a direct quote or paraphrased information. This allows readers to easily locate and verify the source of information. It is essential to accurately place the in-text citations in the appropriate location within the text to avoid plagiarism and provide proper credit to the original author.

💡 key Takeaway: In MLA formatting, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number, while in APA formatting, they include the author’s last name and the publication year. Placement of the in-text citations is crucial to properly credit the original author and avoid plagiarism.

Format of the works cited/reference page

The works cited page showcases the sources referenced in a research paper or academic work. In MLA formatting, the works cited page is titled “Works Cited” and is placed at the end of the document. The sources are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name or the title of the source if there is no author. Each entry begins with the author’s name, followed by the title of the work, the publication information, and the medium of publication. The second and subsequent lines of each entry are indented.

In APA formatting, the reference page is titled “References” and is also placed at the end of the document. The sources are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. Each entry is formatted with the author’s last name followed by initials, the publication year in parentheses, the title of the work in sentence case, the source’s publication information, and the DOI or URL if applicable. The first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.

💡 key Takeaway: The format of the works cited/reference page differs in MLA and APA formatting. In MLA, it is called “Works Cited,” while in APA, it is called “References.” The entries are listed alphabetically by author’s last name in both formats, but the specific formatting and indentation rules are slightly different between the two styles.

Conclusion

Many students are not familiar with the two most common formatting styles: MLA and APA. This article will provide a brief introduction to each format and outline the key differences.MLA (Modern Language Association) is a style of writing that is most commonly used in the humanities and social sciences. It is a formal and academic style that is typically used in scholarly publications.APA ( American Psychological Association) is the most widely accepted style of formatting for scientific papers. It is more formal than MLA and is typically used for journal publications.The key differences between the two formats are as follows:MLA: Uses a blockquotation style for quotationsAPA: Uses quotation marks for all quotationsMLA: Uses a title pageAPA: Uses a header on every pageMLA: Uses a separate title page for each sectionAPA: Uses one main title pageMLA: Uses a separate table of contents for each section.