Difference Between APA and MLA

APA vs MLA
 

Difference between APA and MLA is a must-know fact when it comes to writing a research paper. This is because APA and MLA are two major styles of writing research papers. They are not one and the same. There are some differences between the two styles. So, if you do not know the difference between the two, and what each style has as its characteristics, then you may end up producing a research paper that will end up losing marks for you. MLA style is applicable in writing research papers connected with humanities and arts. On the other hand, APA style is employed while writing research papers related to social sciences.

What is APA?

APA stands for American Psychological Association. The general format of the APA style of research paper writing consists of,

• a title page

• page numbers

• abstract

• headings

• visual proofs, if any and, of course,

• select bibliography or references

The last item called as select bibliography is very important in the format in the sense that the author will provide a list of books or journals he referred while writing the research paper. In fact, in many cases the value of a research paper is estimated on the basis of the select bibliography provided by the writer.

What is MLA?

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. The general formal of a MLA paper consists of,

• thesis statement

• page numbers

• evidence

• bibliography.

There is some important information regarding these components. The general format of MLA style of research paper writing does not include a title page. On the other hand, it includes select bibliography in the form of what is called ‘a works cited page’. Your name as the writer of the research paper should be included in the top left-hand corner of the first page. It is interesting to note that the top-left hand corner of the first page of the research paper written in the MLA style should also contain the instructor’s name, the date and also the course title. It is important to number all the pages and care has to be taken to see to it that the title of the paper is centered. It is equally important to use a separate page for ‘works cited page’. You have to mention the journals and the books in the alphabetical order as according to the names of the various authors.

What is the difference between APA and MLA?

• Both APA and MLA are style of writing research papers. They are both double spaced. MLA style is applicable in writing research papers connected with humanities and arts. On the other hand, APA style is employed while writing research papers related to social sciences.

• APA stands for American Psychological Association. MLA stands for Modern Language Association.

• When it comes to what is expected in the APA format, these are the things you should include. A title page, page numbers, abstract, headings, thesis statement, evidence for your research and bibliography. For a MLA research paper, no title page is required. However, you have to put your name, your instructor’s name, date and the course title on the top left-hand corner of the first page. Apart from this, thesis statement, page numbers, evidence and bibliography.

• In APA, bibliography is known as the ‘references.’ In MLA, bibliography is known as ‘works cited.’ This page comes at the end of the research for both styles.

• Work citing in the APA is in the following manner: last name, first initial (Beth, A.)

• Work citing in MLA is in the following manner: last name, first name, (Beth, Annie).

• When you are citing in text in APA, if the author’s name is in the sentence you have to include the year of publication after the name. For example, ‘Beth (2011) said that …’

• When you are citing in text in MLA, if the author’s name is in the sentence you have to include the page number where the information is found at the end of the sentence. For example, ‘Beth said that it was crucial for the two genders to identify their strengths and weaknesses (23).’

• When the author’s name is not included in the sentence, in APA, put the author’s last name and year of publication at the end of the sentence. For example, ‘It was crucial for the two genders to identify their strengths and weaknesses (Beth, 2011).’ In MLA, put the author’s last name and the page number at the end of the sentence. For example, ‘It was crucial for the two genders to identify their strengths and weaknesses (Beth 23).’