MLA vs. APA: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on February 5, 2024
MLA (Modern Language Association) and APA (American Psychological Association) are citation styles, differing in format, citation rules, and title page requirements.
Key Differences
MLA is commonly used in humanities and liberal arts, emphasizing authorship in citations. APA is preferred in social sciences, focusing on the date of publication in citations.
In MLA, in-text citations include the author's last name and page number. APA citations, however, require the author's last name and the year of publication.
MLA format does not typically require a title page, often using a header on the first page. APA format usually includes a separate title page with the title, author’s name, and institution.
The Works Cited page in MLA lists references alphabetically by the author's last name. APA's Reference page also lists sources alphabetically but includes the author's initials and the publication year.
MLA uses the term “Works Cited” for the bibliography section, while APA uses “References” for its list of cited sources.
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Comparison Chart
Used in
Humanities, liberal arts
Social sciences
In-text Citations
Author's last name and page number
Author's last name and year of publication
Title Page
Not typically required
Includes title, author's name, institution
Bibliography Title
Works Cited
References
Format of Citations
Author's last name, first name
Author's last name, initials; publication year
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MLA and APA Definitions
MLA
Uses a simple approach for first-page header information.
The MLA header includes the student's name, instructor's name, course, and date.
APA
Features in-text citations with author and year of publication.
APA citations help identify the currency of research.
MLA
Features parenthetical in-text citations with author and page number.
MLA citations make it easy to locate the source page.
APA
APA format includes a separate title page and a References section.
The APA title page contained detailed information about the author.
MLA
MLA format includes a Works Cited page at the end.
All references were listed on the Works Cited page as per MLA guidelines.
APA
APA emphasizes date of publication in citations.
In APA, the year of publication is crucial for in-text citations.
MLA
MLA emphasizes authorship in its citation format.
In MLA, the focus is on the author's last name for citations.
APA
A citation style commonly used in social sciences.
The psychology paper was formatted according to APA guidelines.
MLA
A citation style used primarily in humanities.
The essay on Shakespeare was formatted in MLA style.
APA
References are listed with the author's last name and initials.
The APA References page included the author's initials and the publication year.
APA
A title used for male clergy or saints in the Coptic Church.
FAQs
What does MLA stand for?
Modern Language Association.
Is MLA used for science papers?
Typically, no. It's more common in humanities.
Does MLA require a title page?
No, it typically uses a header on the first page.
What information is on an APA title page?
The title, author's name, and institution.
Can APA be used in literature reviews?
Yes, especially in social science literature reviews.
How are MLA in-text citations formatted?
Author's last name and page number.
How are APA in-text citations formatted?
Author's last name and year of publication.
How is a book cited in APA?
Author's last name, initials. (Year). Book title. Publisher.
What does APA stand for?
American Psychological Association.
Are URLs included in MLA citations?
Yes, for online sources.
How is a book cited in MLA?
Author's last name, first name. Book Title. Publisher, Year.
Is the abstract required in MLA?
No, MLA papers typically don't require an abstract.
Is the abstract required in APA?
Yes, for longer research papers.
Does MLA use the Oxford comma?
No, it's typically not used in MLA.
What is the bibliography called in MLA?
Works Cited.
What is the bibliography called in APA?
References.
Are URLs included in APA citations?
Yes, especially for online journal articles.
How are journal articles cited in MLA?
Author's last name, first name. "Article Title." Journal Name, volume, issue, year, pages.
How are journal articles cited in APA?
Author's last name, initials. (Year). Article title. Journal Name, volume(issue), pages.
Does APA use the Oxford comma?
Yes, especially in lists in the References section.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
