Barbara P
Barbara P

Key Differences Between APA Vs. MLA Formatting and Citations

8 min read

Published on: Nov 15, 2024

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2024

apa vs mla

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

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

MLA

  • Example: (Smith, 2023)
  • Example: (Smith 45)

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:

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.

 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:

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.

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.
  • Example of APA Heading:
    Level 1: Centered, Bold
    Level 2: Left-aligned, Bold
  • 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. 

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. 

So, if you need help, feel free to order now and get your paper perfectly formatted and polished.

Barbara P

WRITTEN BY

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing, Management)

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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