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Published on: Nov 15, 2024
Last updated on: Nov 18, 2024
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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:
On This Page
One of the most notable differences between APA and MLA is how sources are cited within the text:
Here is an APA vs MLA citation example:
APA | MLA |
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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:
References Choi, T. Y., Narayanan, S., Novak, D., Olhager, J., Sheu, J. B., & Wiengarten, F. (2021). Managing extended supply chains. Journal of Business Logistics, 42(2), 200-206. Ishida, S. (2020). Perspectives on supply chain management in a pandemic and the post-COVID-19 era. IEEE Engineering Management Review, 48(3), 146-152. Green, S. (2015). Apple. Bellwether Media. Lockamy III, A. (2017, July). An examination of external risk factors in Apple Inc.’s supply chain. In Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal (Vol. 18, No. 3, pp. 177-188). Taylor & Francis. Leslie, M. (2021). Pandemic scrambles the semiconductor supply chain. Tian, X., Yang, L., Huang, Y., & Fang, Y. (2022, January). Research on Supply Chain Shortage of Electronic Technology Companies under the Pandemic Situation: A Case Study of Apple Inc. and Xiaomi Inc. In 2022 13th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management, and E-Learning (IC4E) (pp. 605-610). |
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
Works Cited Brown, Sarah. Modern Art and Culture. Penguin Books, 2021. Gonzalez, Maria, and Ellen Wu. “Immigrant Experiences in Modern America.” Journal of American History, vol. 35, no. 4, 2020, pp. 123-145. Jones, Mark. Introduction to Environmental Science. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2019. Khan, Amir. “The Rise of Renewable Energy in Developing Countries.” Sustainable Futures, vol. 12, no. 2, 2022, pp. 25-40. Liu, Mei, editor. Chinese Philosophy: A Comprehensive Reader. Routledge, 2020. Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by John Smith, Modern Classics Press, 2018, pp. 215-222. Thompson, John. The Psychology of Human Behavior. Routledge, 2020. Wright, Laura. “Climate Change and Coastal Cities.” Global Environmental Review, vol. 7, no. 3, 2019, pp. 88-102. |
The way sources are listed at the end of the paper also differs:
Here are the differences in how source entries are formatted in APA vs MLA reference page:
Feature | APA Style (References) | MLA Style (Works Cited) |
Order of Author's Name | Last name, first initial | Full name (First name last name) |
In-text Citation Format | (Author, Year) | (Author Page Number) |
Book Title Format | Italicized, only the first word capitalized: | Italicized, all major words capitalized: |
Publisher Information | Ends with the publisher name and a period. | Ends with the publisher and the publication year. |
Page Format | Hanging indent; double-spaced, alphabetized by author’s last name | Hanging indent; double-spaced, alphabetized by author’s last name |
Example | Smith, J. (2023). Title of the Book. Publisher. | Smith, John. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2023. |
Another formatting difference is the treatment of the title page:
The way headings are handled is another difference between the two styles:
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The formatting of academic papers in APA and MLA styles differs in several important ways. Here’s a breakdown of key formatting elements:
Header:
Margins:
Indentation:
Block Quotes:
Spacing:
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.
However, if you're still finding it challenging, our essay service is available 24/7 to assist you. Our expert writers are well-versed in all citation formats and academic research writing.
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Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.
Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.
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