APA vs MLA
Understanding the difference between APA and MLA is crucial when it comes to writing research papers, as they are two distinct styles. APA and MLA styles are used in different academic fields; while MLA is applicable to humanities and arts, APA is employed for research papers related to social sciences.
What is APA?
APA, or American Psychological Association, is a research paper format that includes a title page, page numbers, abstract, headings, visual proofs (if any), and a select bibliography or references. The select bibliography is a list of books or journals the author referred to while writing the research paper and is essential for determining the value of the paper.
What is MLA?
MLA, or Modern Language Association, is a research paper format comprised of a thesis statement, page numbers, evidence, and bibliography. Unlike APA, MLA does not include a title page but instead features a “works cited page.” The writer’s name, instructor’s name, date, and course title should be included in the top left-hand corner of the first page. The paper title should be centered, and a separate page should be used for the works cited page. Journals and books should be listed alphabetically according to the names of the various authors.
Key Takeaways
- APA and MLA are both research paper writing styles, but they are used for different academic fields: APA for social sciences and MLA for humanities and arts.
- In APA, the bibliography is called “references,” while in MLA, it is called “works cited.” Both appear at the end of the research paper.
- When citing in text, APA includes the author’s last name and year of publication, while MLA includes the author’s last name and page number.
