Key Differences Between APA Vs. MLA Formatting and Citations

APA and MLA styles are two of the most commonly used citation styles in academic writing. 

While both styles include in-text citations and source lists, each has unique guidelines suited to specific academic disciplines. Understanding these differences allows students to adhere to the correct formatting based on their field and assignment requirements.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences between APA and MLA citation styles, helping you understand when and how to use each style effectively.

Here’s a quick look at the contrast between APA vs MLA formats:

In-text Citations In APA Vs MLA

One of the most notable differences between APA and MLA is how sources are cited within the text:

• APA uses an author-date citation format, where the author’s last name and the publication year are included in the in-text citation. This system is common in research-heavy disciplines as it emphasizes the recency of the information.
• MLA, on the other hand, uses an author-page format, where the author’s last name and the page number of the cited material are provided. This method is more suitable for fields like literature, where the focus is on specific passages in a text.

Here is an APA vs MLA citation example:

APA Reference List vs. MLA Works Cited

In both APA and MLA styles, the list of sources used in the paper appears at the end. However, they differ in structure, formatting, and even in the title of the page.

In APA, the page title is "References", centered at the top, and sources are organized alphabetically by the author’s last name. 

APA formatting prioritizes recent research, so the publication year is placed immediately after the author’s name. 

Each citation has a hanging indent and includes key details—author, date, title, and publication—highlighting the research's timeliness.

Example:

In MLA, the page is titled "Works Cited", also centered at the top, with sources listed alphabetically. 

Unlike APA, the publication date appears later in the entry, generally at the end, and the format stresses the author and location of the source within its publication rather than the year. 

MLA emphasizes the author’s work and its source placement, suited to humanities. It uses hanging indents, double-spacing, and no extra spacing between entries.

Example

 Source Entry Formatting in APA vs. MLA

The way sources are listed at the end of the paper also differs:

• In APA, the list of sources is titled "References", and it provides a detailed citation of every source mentioned in the paper. The format emphasizes the author and publication date to highlight the timeliness of the research.
  Example:
  Smith, J. (2023). Title of the Book. Publisher.
  
• In MLA, the bibliography is titled "Works Cited", and it includes only the sources that were directly cited in the paper. MLA citations focus more on the location of the material within the text.
  Example:
  Smith, John. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2023.

Here are the differences in how source entries are formatted in APA vs MLA reference page:

Title Page In APA vs. MLA

Another formatting difference is the treatment of the title page:

• APA requires a separate title page that includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, course number, instructor’s name, and date.
  APA Title Page Example:
  [infographic]
  
• MLA does not require a separate title page. Instead, the necessary information is included on the first page of the paper, above the title. The student’s name, instructor’s name, course, and date are listed in the top-left corner.

Headings and Subheadings Usage

The way headings are handled is another difference between the two styles:

• APA uses a more structured and detailed system of headings and subheadings to organize content. APA has up to five levels of headings, which helps structure complex research papers.
  

• MLA is more flexible with headings and typically doesn’t require a complex structure. Papers in MLA format often use simple, centered headings without additional levels unless the instructor specifies otherwise.

APA vs MLA Paper Formatting

The formatting of academic papers in APA and MLA styles differs in several important ways. Here’s a breakdown of key formatting elements:

Header:

• APA: Includes a running head (shortened title in all caps) aligned left, and the page number aligned right at the top of each page.
• MLA: The header includes the author's last name and the page number aligned right on every page.

Margins:

• Both APA and MLA require 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.

Indentation:

• Both styles use a ½-inch indentation (one tab) for the first line of each paragraph.

Block Quotes:

• APA: For quotations longer than 40 words, APA uses a block quote format, indented ½ inch from the left margin, without quotation marks, and double-spaced. The in-text citation follows after the punctuation.
• MLA: For quotations longer than four lines, MLA also uses a block quote, indented 1 inch from the left margin, double-spaced, without quotation marks. The in-text citation comes after the punctuation.

Spacing:

• Both APA and MLA require double-spacing throughout the entire paper, including in the reference list or works cited.

View these APA vs. MLA format examples for better understanding

Understanding these key differences through APA vs MLA examples can help you format your papers correctly and meet the citation requirements.

Now that you understand the basic differences between APA and MLA citation styles, you can confidently format your papers correctly. 

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