do you use mla or apa for research papers

Mla Vs. Apa Format: Which Citation Style Should You Use For Science Writing?

When writing a science paper or lab report, using the correct formatting style is critical for properly citing sources and presenting your scientific ideas. The two most common formatting styles are MLA and APA, but which one should you use for science writing?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: APA format is generally preferred over MLA for science writing . APA provides guidelines optimized for scholarly scientific communications and publications.

In this comprehensive guide, we compare MLA versus APA format for science writing. You’ll learn when to use each style, key formatting differences, and tips for consistently applying the right citations in your science papers.

When to Use MLA vs. APA for Science Writing

Types of science writing.

Science writing encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. It can take various forms, such as research papers, lab reports, literature reviews, and scientific articles.

Each type of science writing has its own requirements when it comes to formatting and citation styles.

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, art, and language studies. While it is not the most common citation style for science writing, there are situations where MLA may be appropriate.

For example, if you are writing a science paper that focuses on the historical or cultural aspects of a scientific topic, MLA style may be more suitable.

MLA format typically uses in-text citations with the author’s last name and page number, and a Works Cited page at the end of the document. It is important to provide accurate and complete citations to give credit to the original authors and allow readers to locate the sources you used for your research.

APA (American Psychological Association) style is widely used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. It is also commonly used in scientific research papers and articles.

APA style provides a clear and concise way to present scientific information and ensure consistency in citations.

In APA format, in-text citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication. A reference list is also included at the end of the document, providing detailed information about each source cited. This allows readers to easily find and verify the sources you used in your research.

When writing scientific papers, it is crucial to follow APA guidelines for citing sources, as it helps maintain the integrity of the research and allows other researchers to build upon your work.

Key Differences Between MLA and APA Format

In-text citations.

One of the key differences between MLA and APA format lies in how in-text citations are handled. In MLA format, the author’s last name and the page number are typically used to cite sources within the text. For example, (Smith 42).

On the other hand, APA format uses the author’s last name and the publication year. For instance, (Smith, 2019). This difference in formatting is important to keep in mind when writing scientific papers, as it ensures proper attribution of sources and allows readers to easily locate the full reference in the bibliography.

Reference Lists

Another significant difference between MLA and APA format is how the reference lists are structured. In MLA format, the reference list is called the Works Cited page, and it is placed at the end of the document.

Each entry is listed alphabetically by the author’s last name and includes the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication information, and the medium of publication. In contrast, APA format uses a reference list, which is also placed at the end of the document.

Each entry is organized alphabetically by the author’s last name and includes the author’s name, the publication year, the title of the work, and other publication information.

The use of headings in MLA and APA format also differs. In MLA format, headings are not typically used, as the focus is more on the content and structure of the paper. However, APA format requires the use of headings to organize the content and provide clarity to the reader.

APA format has specific guidelines for the formatting of headings, including the use of different levels (e.g., Heading 1, Heading 2) to indicate the hierarchy of information.

Figures and Tables

MLA and APA format also have different guidelines for the inclusion of figures and tables in scientific writing. In MLA format, figures and tables are often placed within the text, close to where they are mentioned. They are typically labeled as “Fig.” and “Table” followed by a number.

APA format, on the other hand, requires figures and tables to be placed in separate sections at the end of the document. Each figure and table should have a caption that describes the content and a number that corresponds to its order of appearance in the text.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific formatting requirements of MLA and APA format when writing scientific papers. Adhering to the correct citation style ensures that your work is professional, consistent, and easily understandable to your readers.

APA Guidelines for Science Writing

Formatting research papers.

When it comes to formatting research papers in APA style for science writing, there are a few key guidelines to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is important to use 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper. Additionally, the font should be Times New Roman and set to a 12-point size.

The paper should be double-spaced throughout, including the title page, abstract, main body, and references. It is also crucial to include a running head and page numbers on each page.

Writing With Precision

APA style emphasizes clear and concise writing in science papers. When writing in APA style, it is important to be precise and avoid using vague or ambiguous language. This means using specific terminology, providing detailed explanations, and avoiding unnecessary jargon.

Additionally, APA style encourages writers to use active voice, which helps to make the writing more direct and engaging. By using active voice, the writer clearly identifies the subject of the sentence and makes the writing more engaging for the reader.

Using Active Voice

One of the key aspects of APA style for science writing is the use of active voice. Active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action, rather than having the action done to it. For example, instead of saying “The experiment was conducted,” APA style encourages writers to say “We conducted the experiment.”

Using active voice not only makes the writing more engaging, but it also helps to clearly identify the responsible party for the action.

Reporting Statistics

When reporting statistics in APA style for science writing, it is important to provide clear and accurate information. This can be done by using appropriate statistical symbols and formatting, such as italicizing variables and using subscripts.

Additionally, APA style requires writers to include relevant information such as means, standard deviations, and sample sizes. It is also important to clearly label figures and tables and provide a thorough explanation of the statistical analysis performed.

This helps to ensure that the reader can easily understand and interpret the data being presented.

Tips for Applying APA Style in Science Writing

Use citation generators.

When it comes to applying APA style in scientific writing, using citation generators can be a great help. These online tools automatically generate citations in APA format for various sources such as books, journals, websites, and more.

They save you time and ensure that your citations are formatted correctly, following the guidelines set by the American Psychological Association. Some popular citation generators include Citation Machine , EasyBib , and BibMe .

By using these tools, you can focus more on your research and writing, knowing that your citations are accurate and properly formatted.

Adhere to APA Paper Structure

When writing scientific papers in APA style, it’s important to follow the prescribed paper structure. The APA format typically includes a title page, an abstract, an introduction, a methods section, a results section, a discussion section, and a references page.

Each section has specific formatting requirements, such as the use of headings, subheadings, and proper citation formats. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these requirements and apply them consistently throughout your paper.

This ensures that your work is organized and easy to navigate for readers.

Be Consistent Throughout

Consistency is key when it comes to applying APA style in science writing. This means using the same format and style for all citations and references throughout your paper. Make sure to use the correct punctuation, capitalization, and italics when citing different sources, such as books, articles, or websites.

Additionally, pay attention to the order and formatting of the elements within each citation, including authors’ names, publication dates, titles, and page numbers. Being consistent in your formatting not only enhances the readability of your paper but also shows your attention to detail and adherence to professional standards.

Proofread and Revise

Before submitting your scientific paper, it’s crucial to proofread and revise it for any errors or inconsistencies, including those related to APA style. Carefully review your citations and references to ensure they are complete, accurate, and formatted correctly.

Check for any inconsistencies in capitalization, italics, or punctuation. Additionally, make sure your paper adheres to the overall guidelines of APA style, such as the use of proper headings and subheadings.

Taking the time to proofread and revise your work will help you present a polished and professional scientific paper.

For most science writing, APA format is the preferred citation style over MLA. APA provides specific guidelines that optimize scientific communication and publications.

By understanding when to use APA, adhering to key formatting differences from MLA, following APA science writing tips, and proofreading your citations, you can expertly apply APA style for your research papers, lab reports, and other scientific documents.

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What is the difference between APA and MLA format?

APA and MLA are two of the most common citation styles. But, what’s the difference between APA and MLA format? In this post, we discuss the differences between APA and MLA. We cover when to use these styles and provide examples of correct APA and MLA citations.

What is APA?

APA style is a citation style that is most commonly used in the social sciences, but also in education, business, and some science fields. APA stands for  American Psychological Association .

Essentially, APA style is a set of rules for formatting citations, title pages , headers, and other aspects of research papers.

What is MLA?

MLA style is the primary citation style for humanities fields like literature. It was developed by the  Modern Language Association of America, an association of scholars and teachers of language and literature.

Like APA, MLA style includes rules for how to format citations and how to structure research papers.

What are the differences between APA and MLA?

Both APA and MLA style require two distinct types of citations:

• in-text citations
• full bibliographic references in a section at the end of the paper

APA and MLA citations also have similar components:

• Book citations contain the author’s name, the title of the book, the publisher, and the publication date.
• Journal article citations contain the author’s name, the title of the work, and the date, but also include the title of the journal, the volume and issue number of the journal, and the page range. Citations for online journal articles also include a DOI.
• Website citations feature the author’s name (if one is available), the title of the website, the date that is was published or accessed, and the URL.

The main differences between APA and MLA are in how they format and structure these elements.

In-text citations

APA and MLA style both utilize parenthetical citations for in-text citations. However, there are key differences between the two:

• ALA parenthetical citations include the author’s last name and the year of publication (Smith, 2020). When a specific page number is cited, the citation also includes p. and the number (Smith, 2020, p. 4).
• MLA parenthetical citations mainly include the author’s last name and a page number, without a comma between the elements (Smith 25).

Papers in APA style may also utilize narrative citations. Here are a few examples of APA narrative citations:

Rode (2012) claims that productive activities have been part of human civilization since ancient times.

In some cases, author and date might both appear in the narrative. In this case, no parentheses are needed:

In 2012, Rode wrote about the productive activities...

If you cite multiple works parenthetically, place the citations in alphabetical order, separating them with semicolons:

(Adams et al., 2019; Shumway & Shulman, 2015; Westinghouse, 2017)

If multiple sources are cited within a sentence, they can appear in any order:

Suliman (2018), Gutiérrez (2012, 2017), and Medina and Reyes (2019) examined...

Bibliographic references

MLA prefers the label “Works Cited” for the bibliography at the end of the paper. This list includes full bibliographic references for all of the cited texts. APA calls this list “References,” and includes both works that were cited and those that were consulted. Both styles alphabetize entries by the first author’s last name.

Additionally, APA and MLA bibliographies differ in how they structure individual entries. The primary differences occur in:

• Author name : While both styles invert the regular order of names (i.e. put the last name first), APA abbreviates the author’s first name and only uses the first letter, followed by a period (Smith, J.). MLA uses both the last name and first name of an author (Smith, Jane).
• Date placement : APA requires the publication date to be in parentheses, following the author’s name: Smith, J. (2020). In MLA, the publication date goes at the very end for books, or after the volume and issue numbers for journals.
• Capitalization : In APA style, you only need to capitalize the first word of a title, the first word following a colon, and any proper nouns. MLA requires you to capitalize all of the words in a title, except for articles.
• Volume and issue numbers for journal articles : Both APA and MLA place the volume and issue numbers of journals after the journal title; however, they format this information differently. APA italicizes the volume number and places it directly against the issue number, which is put in parentheses: 6 (3). MLA style uses the abbreviations, vol. (volume) and no. (number), and places a comma between them: Journal of Pedagogy , vol. 6, no. 3.

APA examples and resources

Here are some examples of full bibliographic citations in APA style:

Atske, S. (2021, April 7).  Social media use in 2021 . Pewresearch.Org. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/

Eskritt, M., Fraser, B., & Bosacki, S. (2021). Did you just lie to me? Deception detection in face to face versus computer mediated communication.  The Journal of Social Psychology , 1–14.

Fuchs, C. (2021).  Social Media: A Critical Introduction  (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Visit these resources to learn more about APA citations and formatting:

APA citation guide (7th edition)

The ultimate guide to citing in APA

Citation styles by discipline

Comprehensive APA guides

APA title page: format and templates

MLA examples and resources

Here are some examples of full bibliographic citations in MLA style:

Works Cited

Edwards, Michael. “The Lost Library of Anne Conway.”  The Seventeenth Century , vol. 36, no. 1, 2021, pp. 119–147.

Farr, Jason S.  Novel Bodies: Disability and Sexuality in Eighteenth-Century British Literature . Rutgers University Press, 2019.

Wall, Wendy. “The Pulter Project.”  Northwestern.Edu , https://pulterproject.northwestern.edu/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2021.

Visit these resources to learn more about MLA citations and formatting:

MLA citation guide (9th edition)

The ultimate guide to citing in MLA

Comprehensive MLA guides

MLA title page: format and templates

Frequently Asked Questions about what is the difference between APA and MLA format

The main differences between APA and MLA format are found in the bibliography. APA style uses a reference list that includes any works cited or consulted; MLA uses a works cited list that only contains texts that were cited in the paper. Also, there are differences in how each style handles key pieces of bibliographic information like titles and names.

If you need to create citations for an assignment, you can ask your instructor which style to use. APA is most commonly used in the social sciences, while MLA is preferred in humanities disciplines.

APA style is used to create in-text citations and bibliographic references for the social sciences and other disciplines.

MLA style is used to create in-text citations and works cited entries for some humanities fields.

Both APA and MLA aim to provide guidance on how to create accurate citations and bibliographies. Using these styles correctly lends credibility to your research and helps you to avoid plagiarism .

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When To Use MLA Vs APA

Two predominant citation styles in academic writing, like thesis or dissertation stand out: the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Each style is a set of guidelines designed to standardize the citation and formatting of sources, ensuring consistency and clarity in scholarly communication.

Table of Contents

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is widely used in the humanities and liberal arts, providing a structured approach to citing sources in research papers, essays, and other scholarly works. Initially developed by the Modern Language Association, this style emphasizes the author’s name and page number in in-text citations, with a detailed Works Cited page listing all sources.

The American Psychological Association (APA) style, on the other hand, is a prominent citation guide used in the social sciences and natural sciences. Created by the American Psychological Association, this style emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and objectivity. APA uses a parenthetical author-date citation system and compiles all sources on a References page.

Importance Of Proper Citation Styles In Academic Writing

Accurate and consistent citation is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of academic writing. Proper citation serves multiple purposes:

Acknowledging Sources

• Citations give credit to the original authors for their ideas, theories, or findings.
• They acknowledge the intellectual contributions that form the foundation of a writer’s work.

Avoiding Plagiarism

• Citation styles provide a framework to cite sources appropriately, helping writers avoid plagiarism.
• Plagiarism, the uncredited use of someone else’s work, is a serious ethical breach in academic writing.

Ensuring Credibility

• Proper citations enhance the credibility of the author’s work by allowing readers to verify and trace the sources referenced.
• Credible sources contribute to the strength and validity of an academic argument.

Facilitating Communication

• Standardized citation styles promote clear communication within the academic community.
• They enable researchers to share and build upon each other’s work by providing a common language for citation.

Meeting Academic Standards

• Adhering to specific citation styles aligns with academic conventions and standards.
• Different disciplines in universities in Canada may have preferences for particular citation styles, and adherence reflects a commitment to scholarly norms.

Understanding MLA

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a widely recognized and used set of guidelines for academic writing, specifically tailored to the fields of literature, language, and the humanities. Developed by the Modern Language Association, this citation style provides a systematic approach to citing sources, formatting papers, and acknowledging the intellectual contributions of others.

The primary purpose of MLA is to establish a standardized method for scholars and students to present their research and ideas clearly and consistently. By prescribing citation and document formatting rules, MLA ensures that academic writing is accessible, organized, and ethically grounded.

Common Usage In Humanities And Liberal Arts

MLA finds its common usage in disciplines such as literature, philosophy, history, art, and other areas within the humanities and liberal arts. The style’s adaptability to various forms of humanistic expression makes it a preferred choice for scholars and students in these fields. Whether crafting essays, research papers , or literary analyses, humanities students often turn to MLA to structure their academic work.

The key elements of MLA citation are:

In-text citations

In MLA, in-text citations serve to provide brief yet crucial information about the source of a particular idea or quotation within the body of the text. Typically, these citations include the author’s last name and the page number from which the information is drawn. For instance: (Khan 45). This practice allows readers to easily locate the source on the Works Cited page.

Works Cited page

The Works Cited page is a comprehensive list of all the sources referenced in a paper. It is placed at the end of the document and provides detailed bibliographic information for each source, allowing readers to verify and explore the referenced materials. 

The Works Cited page follows specific formatting guidelines, including the author’s name, source title, publication information, and other relevant details.

Understanding APA

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely adopted set of guidelines for academic writing, particularly within the social sciences and natural sciences. Developed by the American Psychological Association, APA provides a systematic framework for citing sources, formatting papers, and organizing research that promotes clarity, objectivity, and precision.

The primary purpose of APA is to establish a standardized approach to writing and documentation within the scientific community. By emphasizing clarity and conciseness, APA allows researchers, psychologists, and social and natural sciences scholars to communicate their ideas precisely and ensure that their work can be easily understood and verified.

Common Usage In Social Sciences And Sciences

APA is commonly used in finance thesis , psychology, sociology, education, business, botany papers , and various natural and social sciences. Its structured approach to citation and formatting aligns with the demands of scientific communication, where precision and clarity are paramount. Researchers and scholars in these fields turn to APA to ensure that their work adheres to the established conventions of their disciplines.

The key elements of APA citation include the following:

In APA style, in-text citations follow a parenthetical author-date format, where the author’s last name and the publication year are included. For example (Khan, 2019). This method allows readers to quickly identify the source of information and cross-reference it with the detailed information provided on the References page.

References page

The References page is a thorough list of all sources cited within a paper. It is positioned at the end of the document and provides detailed bibliographic information for each source. The information typically includes the author’s name, publication date, title of the source, and other relevant details. The References page in APA style is organized alphabetically and follows specific formatting guidelines to ensure consistency.

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When To Use MLA

MLA is the preferred citation style in several academic disciplines within the humanities and liberal arts. Common disciplines include literature, philosophy, history, art, and languages. Scholars and students in these fields often adhere to MLA guidelines to maintain consistency and convey information in a manner suitable for their respective subjects.

MLA is well-suited for citing a wide range of sources commonly found in the humanities. These sources include:

• Books: MLA is particularly effective in citing books, whether they are novels, manuscripts , anthologies, or scholarly monographs.
• Journal Articles: Academic journals in humanities and liberal arts fields are often cited using MLA format.
• Poems and Short Stories: MLA is ideal for citing individual poems or short stories frequently encountered in literature studies.
• Artistic Works: MLA can be used to reference paintings, sculptures, or other forms of artistic expression.

MLA Examples

• Literary Analysis Essays: When writing an essay analyzing a piece of literature, such as a novel or poem, MLA is commonly used to cite textual evidence and provide in-depth analysis.
• History Research Papers: Historical research papers format often adopt MLA citation, emphasizing the proper acknowledgment of historical sources and texts.
• Philosophy Papers: Papers in philosophy that involve the analysis of philosophical texts or arguments often use MLA for citation.

When To Use APA

APA is the preferred citation style in various academic disciplines and preliminary literature reviews , especially those in the social sciences and natural sciences. Disciplines that commonly use APA include psychology, sociology, education, business, and health sciences. The style’s emphasis on clarity, objectivity, and precision aligns with the requirements of these scientific fields.

APA is well-suited for citing various sources commonly found in the social and natural sciences. These sources include:

• Research Articles: APA is extensively used for citing research articles published in academic journals.
• Empirical Studies: Studies conducted in psychology, sociology, and related fields often cite APA.
• Academic Papers in Education: APA is preferred for citing educational research and academic papers.
• Scientific Reports: APA is commonly used for citing scientific reports in the natural sciences, such as biology or chemistry.

APA Examples

• Psychology Research Papers: When conducting and presenting research in psychology, APA is the preferred style for ensuring clarity and precision in communication.
• Sociology Literature Reviews: Literature reviews in sociology often adopt APA citation to organize and present a synthesis of existing research.
• Business Reports: Business and management reports, including those in marketing or organizational behaviour, frequently cite APA.

Key Differences Between MLA And APA

Some of the key differences between MLA and APA are discussed below.

Differences In Formatting And Layout 

• MLA typically features a header on the left side of the paper with the author’s name and page number.
• APA uses a running head on the right side, which includes a shortened title and page number.
• APA often requires a title page with specific information like the title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and an author note.
• MLA generally does not mandate a title page unless specified by the instructor.
• MLA typically recommends using a legible font like Times New Roman in 12-point size.
• APA generally prefers a sans-serif font like Arial or Calibri in 12-point size.

Citations And Referencing Variations

• MLA employs parenthetical in-text citations with the author’s last name and page number (Khan 45).
• APA uses parenthetical author-date citations with the author’s last name and the publication year (Khan, 2019).
• MLA uses a “Works Cited” page that lists sources alphabetically with specific formatting.
• APA uses a “References” page, also alphabetized, with distinct formatting guidelines for each source type.
• In MLA, titles of larger works (books, movies) are italicized, while titles of shorter works (articles, poems) are in quotation marks.
• In APA, italics are used for titles of longer works, and shorter works are in title case and not enclosed in quotation marks.

Peculiar Rules Unique To Each Style

Medium in MLA:

• MLA may require the inclusion of the medium (print, web, etc.) in bibliographic entries.

DOI in APA:

• APA may involve the use of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for online sources when available.

Publication Information Order:

• MLA typically lists the author’s name, title, publisher, and date in that order.
• APA follows the order of author, date, title, and publisher.

How To Choose Between MLA And APA

• Consider your academic discipline.
• Preferred in humanities and liberal arts disciplines.
• Commonly used for literature, philosophy, history, and related fields.
• Preferred in social sciences and natural sciences.
• Commonly used for psychology, sociology, education, business, and scientific research.
• Understand assignment requirements
• Learn about instructor preferences and guidelines

Tips For Proper Implementation

Here are some final tips and tricks to help you properly implement MLA and APA.

Tip 1: Familiarizing Oneself With Style Guides

• Thorough Review: Take the time to thoroughly review the official style guides for both MLA and APA. These guides provide complete information on formatting, in-text citations, and references.
• Style Guide Accessibility: Make a copy of the MLA Handbook (for MLA) or the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (for APA) readily accessible for quick reference.
• Online Resources: Explore online resources provided by reputable institutions and libraries to supplement your understanding of each style.

Tip 2: Using Citation Tools And Resources

• Citation Generators: Use online citation generators to automate the process of creating citations. Tools like Zotero , EndNote , or online generators provided by academic institutions can save time and reduce the chance of errors.
• Online Style Guides: Many universities and academic institutions provide online style guides with examples and tutorials. Refer to these resources to clarify specific citation rules.
• Library Support: Take advantage of library resources and support services, which often include workshops or consultations on proper citation practices.

Tip 3: Seeking Guidance From Instructors Or Writing Centers

• Instructor Clarification: When in doubt, seek clarification from your instructor regarding citation preferences and any specific guidelines for the assignment.
• Writing Centers: Use campus writing centers that offer guidance on citation styles. Writing tutors can provide valuable insights and assistance in mastering MLA or APA.
• Peer Review: Consider engaging in peer review sessions where you can exchange insights and tips on proper citation with fellow students.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to use apa vs mla.

Use APA for social and natural sciences, psychology, education, and research studies. Choose MLA for humanities, literature, philosophy, and arts. Consider assignment requirements, academic discipline, and instructor preferences to determine the appropriate citation style for academic writing.

What is APA vs MLA?

APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) are distinct citation styles. APA is common in social sciences, emphasizing clarity. MLA is prevalent in humanities, emphasizing authorship. They differ in formatting citations and are chosen based on academic discipline and assignment requirements.

Is MLA or APA used for English?

MLA (Modern Language Association) is commonly used for English, literature, and humanities disciplines. Its emphasis on authorship and literary analysis aligns with the conventions of these fields. APA is more prevalent in social sciences and natural sciences.

Who uses APA?

APA (American Psychological Association) is primarily used by professionals and scholars in the fields of psychology, social sciences, education, business, and health sciences. It provides a standardized citation style for research articles, empirical studies, and scientific publications in these disciplines.

What is the difference between APA MLA and Harvard?

APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) are citation styles used in academic writing, with specific rules for formatting and citations. Harvard is a referencing style with a focus on author-date citation but is less prescriptive in formatting, commonly used in the UK and Australia.

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• Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 1:45 PM
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Which citation style should I use?

• Chicago Notes Style
• Chicago Author-Date Style
• AMA Style (medicine)
• Bluebook (law)
• Additional Citation Styles
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• Citing Sources

Citing Sources: Which citation style should I use?

The citation style you choose will largely be dictated by the discipline in which you're writing. For many assignments your instructor will suggest or require a certain style. If you're not sure which one to use, it's always best to check with your instructor or, if you are submitting a manuscript, the publisher to see if they require a certain style. In many cases, you may not be required to use any particular style as long as you pick one and use it consistently. If you have some flexibility, use the guide below to help you decide.

Disciplinary Citation Styles

• Social Sciences
• Sciences & Medicine
• Engineering

When in doubt, try: Chicago Notes

• Architecture & Landscape Architecture → try Chicago Notes or Chicago Author-Date
• Art → try Chicago Notes
• Art History → use  Chicago Notes
• Dance → try Chicago Notes or MLA
• Drama → try Chicago Notes or MLA
• Ethnomusicology → try Chicago Notes
• Music → try Chicago Notes
• Music History → use  Chicago Notes
• Urban Design & Planning → try Chicago Notes or Chicago Author-Date

When in doubt, try: MLA

• Cinema Studies → try MLA
• Classics → try Chicago Notes
• English → use  MLA
• History → use   Chicago Notes
• Linguistics → try MLA
• Languages → try MLA
• Literatures → use  MLA
• Philosophy → try MLA
• Religion → try Chicago Notes

When in doubt, try: APA or Chicago Notes

• Anthropology → try Chicago Author-Date
• Business → try APA (see also Citing Business Information from Foster Library)
• Communication → try APA
• Criminology & Criminal Justice → try Chicago Author-Date
• Economics → try APA
• Education → try APA
• Geography → try APA
• Government & Law (for non-law students) → try Chicago Notes
• History → try Chicago Notes
• Informatics → try APA
• Law (for law students) → use Bluebook
• Library & Information Science → try APA
• Museology → try Chicago Notes
• Political Science → try Chicago Notes
• Psychology → use  APA
• Social Work → try APA
• Sociology → use  ASA or Chicago Author-Date

When in doubt, try: CSE Name-Year or CSE Citation-Sequence

• Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Astronomy → try AIP or CSE Citation-Sequence
• Biology & Life Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Chemistry → try ACS
• Earth & Space Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Environmental Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Forest Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Health Sciences: Public Health, Medicine, & Nursing → use AMA or NLM
• Marine Sciences → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Mathematics → try AMS or CSE Citation-Sequence
• Oceanography → try CSE Name-Year or APA
• Physics → try AIP or CSE Citation-Sequence
• Psychology  → use  APA

When in doubt, try: CSE Name-Year or IEEE

• Aeronautics and Astronautics → try CSE Citation-Sequence
• Bioengineering → try AMA or NLM
• Chemical Engineering → try ACS
• Civil and Environmental Engineering → try CSE Name-Year
• Computational Linguistics → try CSE Citation-Sequence
• Computer Science & Engineering → try IEEE
• Electrical and Computer Engineering → try IEEE
• Engineering (general) → try IEEE or CSE Name-Year
• Human Centered Design & Engineering → try IEEE
• Human-Computer Interaction + Design → try IEEE
• Industrial and Systems Engineering → try CSE Name-Yea r
• Mechanical Engineering → try Chicago Notes or Chicago Author-Date

See also: Additional Citation Styles , for styles used by specific engineering associations.

Pro Tip: Citation Tools Save Time & Stress!

If you’re enrolled in classes that each require a different citation style, it can get confusing really fast! The tools on the Quick Citation Generators section can help you format citations quickly in many different styles.

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• Last Updated: May 1, 2024 12:48 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/citations

How To Cite a Research Paper: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

• Posted on January 25, 2022

When you’re writing a research paper, you’ll use a variety of sources to find information. You might find that you end up using other people’s research papers as sources of information for your own work. You need to know how to cite a research paper properly.

Using text citations tells readers where you got your information, and help build a sense of trust, allowing the reader to feel confident that you haven’t falsified the information. You have to prove that you’ve done the research and found data to back up the claims you’re making.

Writing a paper without giving credit to people whose work you’re using is plagiarism. Unless you’re citing a direct quote you want to change the language enough, by putting the quote in your own words, so it sounds like original content. Quetext’s plagiarism checker  helps you search for similar content across the web so you can turn in a completely original paper.

Whether you’re submitting a research paper to school or for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, you’re required to cite your sources. Editors often reread the work of writers and researchers to ensure the information is factual. A teacher or professor will definitely check that your sources are accurate, so using tools like Quetext will help avoid unintentional plagiarism errors or wrongfully cited information.

Why Text Citations are Important

If you don’t have sources to back up your research, others might accuse you of spreading false information or plagiarism. Any journal publishing papers should verify what they’re printing, but ultimately, as the author, the buck stops with you.

In general, it’s a kindness to cite your sources. The people who created them did a lot of work, so it’s wrong to claim ownership of their ideas and information. But it’s also an ethical issue that can have major repercussions.

There have been cases where researchers  make up information  or falsify their sources and must face the consequences. People depend on factual information and don’t react well when they realize you lied to them or falsely paraphrase information.

That’s why it’s common knowledge to write a well-researched paper with text citations. If anyone claims your information is incorrect, you can point them to the source where you found the data. This doesn’t guarantee that the information you cited is correct, but you’ll be able to provide readers with a source of where you gathered your information.

When you’re citing other people’s research papers, make sure the source is legitimate. You should only use peer-reviewed journals so you know the article has gone through edits and fact-checking. Something identified as a research paper that is only on a blog or message board isn’t always a reliable source.

Many students like to use  Wikipedia  because there’s so much information available from one source. However, Wikipedia allows users to edit the information. What you read in a specific entry might not be true. It’s best to scroll down to the works cited and go to the original source yourself. If you can’t find a reliable, original source for the information, you shouldn’t use it.

Using the Various Citation Styles

The information used in any citation is basically the same across each style guide. The formatting and order of some elements may vary, so it’s important to know the difference between Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago Styles.

The style you use depends on what type of writing you’re doing. All will use these basic elements in some form or another:

Source name

Volume and edition

Publication date

Page numbers

Publisher name

City and country of the publisher

URL and DOI for web pages and digital sources

The date you accessed the material

In addition to a reference list at the end of your work, you’ll also use in-text citations. Whenever you reference an idea or data that isn’t yours, you cite it. Each style has different types of in-text citations as well. Read on to find out about each citation format.

You’ll likely use the  MLA citation guide  if you’re writing papers in the humanities, such as for language arts, literary criticism, cultural studies, and more. The current edition of the MLA Handbook is the ninth because the style constantly evolves. As new technology creates new potential sources, MLA adds information to help students and researchers cite everything correctly.

The MLA Handbook has instructions on how to cite song lyrics, social media posts, and digital images, along with all of the standard research outlets. The book also gives detailed information on how to cite a research paper.

The MLA Handbook includes information about how to format your reference page. Use a 12-pt standard font like Times New Roman, so the text in italics is clearly different from the regular font. Center the title, Works Cited, at the top of the page. Your last name and page number are in the top right corner, and the reference page always comes at the end of your document.

Alphabetize citations according to the last name of the author. Left-align the citations and double-space them with no extra lines between each entry. When a citation goes beyond a single line, use a hanging indent to format it correctly. This lets the reader know it’s still the same citation continuing on.

Now that you know the basic format for the Works Cited page read on to find out how to cite a research paper for inclusion on this list.

Citing a Research Paper in MLA Style

When you’re citing a research paper in MLA style, you start with the author’s full name, putting the last name of the author first, followed by the title of the research paper in quotation marks. Next comes the the title of the journal that published the paper in italics, followed by the volume number, issue number, and date of publication.

You’ll also include the page number since the paper is in a journal with many pages. If you found the source online, include the digital object identifier or DOI. The DOI is a way to give a document a permanent web address so people reading your work can easily find the source.

MLA format also asks you to include the date you accessed online materials. Doing so gives your reader more information about when you read the research if it changed since that date. Here is an example of a research paper citation in MLA style:

Writer, Maria. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal, vol 3, no. 4, 2020, pp. 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34. Accessed 13 March 2021.

If the work wasn’t published online, you could stop your citation after the page numbers.

Sometimes you might find research papers that aren’t published in a scholarly journal. You can still use those in your work, but the MLA citation will look different. You’ll still put the last name of the author first, but instead of putting the title of the research paper in quotation marks, you’ll put it in italics.

Here is an example of an unpublished research paper citation in MLA style:

Writer, Maria. My Research Paper. 2020, http://websiteused.com . Accessed 13 March 2021.

These two examples show you how to document the source on your Works Cited page. In-text citations look different.

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in MLA Style

When you’re working with the MLA format, an in-text reference requires a parenthetical citation.

If you refer to someone else’s research in a sentence, either with a direct quote or by paraphrasing, you need to give that author credit. At the end of the sentence where you use the information, you’ll put the author’s information in parenthesis and then put the sentence’s ending punctuation.

You use the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information for in-text citations. Then anyone reading your work can go to your Works Cited page, find the entry by the author’s last name, and access the document themselves. The page number directs them to where you got the specific information, so they don’t have to read the whole paper to find it. Here is an example of an in-text citation in MLA style:

Over 80% of the city’s garbage ended up in the ocean (Writer, 8).

You might mention the author’s name in your sentence. In that case, the parenthetical citation only needs to have the page numbers for reference. Here is an example:

According to Maria Writer, over 80% of the city’s garbage went into the ocean (8).

Researchers in the social science field, like sociology, anthropology, and psychology, use the  APA style  in their work. Like the MLA Handbook, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has gone through changes over the years. It’s currently on the 7th edition.

In addition to helping you understand how to cite research, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association has information about how to format your paper to include tables, figures, and headings that often accompany scientific journal articles.

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association also tells you how to format your reference page. In MLA style, this is the Works Cited page. For APA style, it’s either the Reference List or Reference Page.

This page uses the same font style as the rest of the paper but starts on its own page with a number in the top right corner. The title of the page is bold and centered at the top and should simply read “References.”

List citations in alphabetical order by author’s last name regardless of the type of source. Each citation is double-spaced and has a hanging indent if it goes beyond one line.

Now that you understand how to properly format your APA reference page, learn how to cite a research paper to include on the list.

Citing a Research Paper in APA Style

When you use a research paper in your work, you need to include it on your APA references page at the end of your document.

An APA citation includes the same information as the MLA format but in a different order. The citation starts with the author’s last name but only uses their first initial. Then comes the year of publication in parenthesis.

The paper’s title follows, then the title of the journal in italics. You also include the journal volume, issue number, and page numbers. As with MLA citations, include a DOI if you found the research paper online. Here is an example of a published research paper cited in APA format:

Writer, M. (2020). My Research Paper. Research Journal, 3(4), 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34

If the paper isn’t published in a journal, you can still use it in your work with a proper citation. Here is an example:

Writer, M. (2020). My Research Paper [PDF]. Retrieved from http://websiteused.com

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in APA Style

In-text citations in the APA format differ from MLA style. You still put it in parenthesis, but you include different information. For APA parentheticals, include the author’s last name and the paper’s year of publication. This method applies when you’re summarizing or paraphrasing the author’s idea. Here is an example of an in-text citation for a research paper in APA style:

Over 80% of the city’s garbage went into the ocean (Writer, 2020).

If you’re using a direct quote from the work you need to include the page number so the reader can find the quotation. Here is an example:

Maria Writer said, “Over 80% of the city’s garbage is going into the ocean” (2020, p. 8).

Chicago Style

Chicago Style  got its name from the University of Chicago, where the style originated. Writers use this format for works in the field of history, but you can also use it for the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

MLA style has a Works Cited page, APA has References, and Chicago Style differs because it includes a Bibliography. The page comes at the end of your work with a page number in the top right corner. The title, “Bibliography,” is bold and centered at the top.

You will single-space your citations, but you’ll add an extra line between each entry. As with the other reference pages, you’ll left-align the work and use a hanging indent when a citation continues onto a second line.

Having an overview of how to format the bibliography will help you understand the citation styles for a research paper.

Citing a Research Paper in Chicago Style

Citations in Chicago Style are a mix of MLA and APA formats. It’s easiest to follow this template:

Writer, Maria. 2020. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal 3 (4): 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34.

As with other styles, you can reference an unpublished research paper as a document. Here is an example:

Writer, Maria. 2020. My Research Paper. PDF. http://websiteused.com .

In both instances, if there are multiple authors for a paper, list the rest of the authors in normal format. For example:

Author, Alan, Stanley Sample, and Maria Writer. 2020. “My Research Paper.” Research Journal 3 (4): 7-9. doi:12.34/mfs.12.34.

In-Text Citations for a Research Paper in Chicago Style

An in-text citation in Chicago Style is much simpler than both MLA and APA formats. You only need to include the last name of the author and year of publication in parenthesis with no comma in between them. For example:

Almost 80% of the city’s garbage goes into the ocean (Writer 2020).

You’ll include the page number for specificity if you’re quoting the author. Here’s an example:

Maria Writer said, “Over 80% of the city’s garbage is going into the ocean” (2020, 8).

You can also use endnotes in Chicago Style. A citation refers the reader to your source, but an endnote includes a bit of an explanation of why you used it. The information included in an endnote would disrupt the flow of your paper, but it’s still something you want the reader to know.

Make Text Citations Easy

Knowing when you need to cite a source helps you manage your research. Anytime you find information that you’re going to paraphrase, summarize, or quote in your work, you need to cite the source. The full citation will go on your reference page, but you’ll need an in-text citation where you use the information in your paper.

When you’re stating something that is  common knowledge , there’s no need to make a citation. Common knowledge is something that your reader would believe without needing proof. You can check if something is common knowledge by searching for it and finding it mentioned, without a citation, in at least five sources.

Once you learn the basics about citing a research paper in MLA, APA, and Chicago Styles, you’ll feel more confident in your work. The important thing is to pay attention to small details, like capitalization, italics and the use of abbreviations. But there’s no need to do it all on your own—Quetext has a  citation assistant  waiting to help. Give Quetext citation generator a try on your next project.

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Apa vs. mla: what style guide do i use by, introduction.

APA versus MLA: what style guide do you use?

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is, originally, a set of rules that authors use when submitting papers for publications in the journals of the APA. Established in 1929, the style has since been used to guide research writers and help them achieve – through the use of established standards for language, the construction of correct reference citations, the avoidance of plagiarism, the proper use of headers, among many others – "minimum distraction and maximum precision".

As a complete style and guideline for writing, the APA is a valuable tool for writing scientific papers, laboratory reports, and papers covering topics in the field of psychology, education, and other social sciences. The APA style allows for in-text citations, direct quotations, and endnotes and footnotes. It is also enables the author to use the past tense of verbs in the reportage.

Standards of the APA style include:

• Bibliographic list of references
• Alphabetical order by author in the bibliographic list, then chronological by work
• Referenced authors organized in the bibliographic list by last name, first initial, then middle initial
• Italicized titles of periodicals listed in the bibliography, with the words of the title capitalized
• Titles of books capitalized according to "sentence-style" capitalization
• In-text citations in parenthesis, with the author's last name, year of publication, and page number included (Smith, 1988. p. 4)
• Double-spaced lines
• Page numbers – plus the shortened title of the work – placed in the upper right of every page
• Title centered an inch below the top of the page
• Double-spaced footnotes / endnotes, used sparingly for non-crucial information, and which are subscripted with a number that relates to the footnote

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is the leading style of documentation for literary research, as well as academic papers in the humanities field. It follows a specific set of rules for formatting manuscripts, and is considered, along with the APA style, a standardized reference format in college. Compared to the APA style, however, the MLA style focuses on the citation of books, anthologies, literary works, audio-visual material, multimedia, and similar works with much more detail.

Also, unlike the APA style, the present tense of verbs is most commonly used in the MLA style. Other MLA standards include:

• Bibliographic list of works cited
• Alphabetical order by author in the bibliographic list, then alphabetical by work
• Centered titles an inch below the tops of the page
• Referenced authors / names organized in the bibliographic list by last name, first name, then middle initial
• In-text citations in parenthesis, with only the author's last name and page number included (Smith 4)
• Double-spaced lines, but with no extra line breaks between each citation
• Footnotes (superscripted) also used to provide non-essential information

Which style do I use?

Humanities courses are usually asked to style according to MLA guidelines. Students in science and research fields, meanwhile, are often encouraged to follow the APA guidelines. In college, the primary reason for using a standardized reference format like the MLA or APA is so that professional peers, researchers, professors, and other academic readers can easily understand the syntax and easily check the citations.

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Citing Your Sources

What style should i use.

There are many different citation styles that continue to evolve as technology and varieties of resources increase. Generally, a citation style is established by a ruling body, typically one of a specific profession or subject area, and provides rules and conventions that best fit the types of sources used by that profession/ subject area.

While in school, you should use the style required by your assignment or professor.

APA Style, currently in its 7th edition , is a citation protocol established by the American Psychological Association. This style was developed to ensure consistency and to provide style rules for scientific writing. 

APA is most often used in the disciplines of:

• Social Sciences (including Psychology, Education, Sociology, Economics, Criminal Justice, etc.)

What does APA Style include?

• the format & structure of your paper
• how you cite other authors within the body of your paper
• how you compile a references page at the end of your paper

MLA Style, currently in its 8th edition , is a citation protocol established by the Modern Language Association. This style was developed for students to support the writing process.

MLA is most often used in the Humanities disciplines including, but not limited to:

• English Language & Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Cultural Studies
• Foreign Languages
• Other areas in the humanities

What does MLA Style include?

• the format & page layout of your paper
• stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)

Chicago Style

Chicago Style, currently in its 17th edition , is a citation protocol established by the University of Chicago. 

Chicago Style is most often used in the disciplines of:

What does Chicago Style include?

• instruction for manuscript preparation and publication
• guidelines for style, grammar and usage
• rules for documenting your sources in-text including the Notes-Bibliography System (NB) and the Author-Date System
• guidelines for a Bibliography at the end of your paper

Other Styles

First, it's important that you use the citation style required by your assignment or professor (your syllabus or assignment guidelines/description should list the required citation style but if not, ask your professor).

If you are permitted to choose a citation style to use, it may be easiest to choose one of the most common citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago).

You may also want to choose a citation style based on the field of study you are working in. Here is a brief list of some major disciplines and the citation styles most commonly associated with them:

A larger listing of disciplines and citation styles can be accessed on OWL at Purdue website .

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MLA or APA: Selecting a Research Paper Style

Selecting a research paper style can be confusing for those who are unfamiliar with the two main options available: MLA and APA. This article will explore both styles in order to determine which one is best suited for a given project. It will discuss their respective strengths, weaknesses, as well as when each may be most appropriate to use. Furthermore, it will provide guidance on what needs to be considered when making a decision about which format should be utilized in any particular academic or professional situation. By providing an understanding of the differences between these two popular styles of writing papers, readers should have all they need to confidently select either MLA or APA format for their own projects.

1. Introduction to Research Paper Styles

2. analyzing the difference between mla and apa formats, 3. understanding how citation works in each format, 4. knowing when to use mla or apa for your project, 5. deciding on an appropriate style guidebook for your needs, 6. exploring available resources when writing a research paper in either format, 7. conclusion: choosing the best style for your academic goals.

Creating research papers can be an overwhelming task, especially for those unfamiliar with the different writing styles. Knowing which style to use and when it is necessary can make your paper stand out amongst the rest.

• MLA : The Modern Language Association (MLA) style of citation is used in English literature, literary criticism, media studies and other disciplines within humanities. It focuses on parenthetical citations in-text such as author’s name or page number.

The body paragraphs of a research paper using MLA formatting are double spaced without additional spaces between them; headers should include a header at top left corner with student’s last name followed by page number in right corner. If you’re citing multiple authors each has their own reference entry; sources must appear alphabetically according to title or author surname if no title given. Quotations require specific pagination information for where they come from but direct quotes don’t need titles or URLs unless specified differently by instructor.

• APA : American Psychological Association (APA) citation format is typically used across social sciences fields such as Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology just to name a few examples. Headers are usually required at the top left corner including student’s first initial followed by their surname then finally page number located at bottom right side of every page.

Body paragraphs tend to be single spaced while references are double spaced due only exception being block quotations that need special spacing requirements not like regular quoted sentences found throughout text itself; sources listed alphabetically same as MLA though here they must have hanging indent which means all lines after first line needs tabbing over five spaces in order meet standards set forth APA manual sixth edition guidelines for referencing materials properly .

MLA vs. APA: A Comparison When it comes to writing research papers, two popular formats reign supreme: MLA and APA. Both are used widely in the field of academia for a variety of reasons – but which one should you use? Let’s take a look at some key differences between them.

In terms of appearance, there is no mistaking an MLA or APA paper; they have quite distinct formatting rules. For instance, while both styles require double-spacing and 1-inch margins all around, with titles centered in the middle of the page after skipping four lines down from the top – these differences appear when looking closer. The title page layout changes between each style too; whereas an MLA paper contains its author name and university on separate lines directly beneath the essay’s title, an APA document keeps this information (author name plus institutional affiliation) together as one line below said title.

• Do research papers need to be mla or apa?

Yes! Depending on your professor’s preference or course subject matter requirement, either format can be requested for completing assignment tasks such as essays and other written works like lab reports etc. Therefore it is important that students familiarize themselves with both sets of guidelines so that proper citations may be achieved within their work regardless if following MLA guidelines or those laid out by American Psychological Association (APA).

Citing sources is an important skill to have in the world of academia. It allows you to back up your ideas and provide evidence for the points that you make, ensuring your writing has integrity and accuracy. When it comes to citing sources, there are different formats that need to be followed depending on which style guide you’re using.

• APA: The American Psychological Association (APA) format is primarily used when creating research papers in social sciences. In this format, citations include author names, publication year, title of article or book referenced and page numbers if applicable.
• MLA: The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation system focuses on humanities disciplines such as literature or linguistics. Here the focus shifts from authors’ name towards titles; emphasizing them within both intext citations as well as works cited lists.

Citing references correctly is an important component of academic writing. The two most common citation styles are the Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA). Knowing when to use each style can be tricky, as there are distinct differences between them.

• MLA : Commonly used in English, literature, foreign language studies and other humanities classes. It uses parenthetical citations within the text itself with a list of Works Cited at the end.
• APA : Often seen in sciences such social sciences or psychology courses. APA formatting typically includes an abstract page before a paper that provides a summary of what’s discussed; plus it requires both in-text citations as well as a bibliography/reference section at the end.

When deciding which one to use for your project keep in mind that research papers should always adhere to either MLA or APA format guidelines so make sure you read your professor’s instructions carefully. A general rule is if you’re studying liberal arts then go with MLA; however if you’re tackling something more science based like sociology then choose APA instead!

The selection of an appropriate style guidebook for your writing needs is a critical step in the writing process. It not only helps to ensure accuracy and clarity but also serves as a useful reference when formatting documents such as research papers. When deciding on which book to choose, consider these factors:

• Specificity – How much information does the guide provide about citation conventions? Does it include examples or explanations for each rule?
• Depth of Coverage – Does it cover all possible areas of need (MLA & APA, quotes & footnotes, abbreviations)? Can you use this one source for most questions you may have regarding format and style?

In addition, think about who will be using this resource and what kind of writing they’ll be doing. If multiple authors are contributing to the same document (e.g., group project), then make sure everyone has access to the same edition so their notes match up correctly with current standards. Once you have chosen a particular manual that meets your requirements best, don’t forget to keep it handy whenever you work on any type of written assignment!

In the process of writing a research paper, there are several resources available that can help guide you and provide additional information. It is important to become familiar with these various sources as they will not only assist in your research but may also be helpful when formatting your paper.

• Online Databases : Utilizing online databases such as ProQuest or JSTOR are an excellent starting point for obtaining data for any type of academic project. These electronic libraries contain both primary source documents and full-text journal articles which can serve as useful references throughout the course of your work.
• Books/Textbooks : Scholarly books related to the topic being explored should also be consulted during the planning stages. Even though many textbooks have been digitized, physical copies remain an invaluable resource due to their ability to organize material into easy-to-understand sections and appendices. Furthermore, reference librarians at college libraries often possess extensive knowledge about locating valuable materials that pertain specifically to one’s area of study.

Depending on what format you decide upon (MLA or APA), some supplemental components could potentially include footnotes/endnotes, bibliographies (or works cited page), parenthetical citations within each section along with cover pages if needed by instructor guidelines. Each style has distinct rules about how those items should appear so it’s imperative that all directions from professor are followed closely while researching papers using either MLA or APA formats..

When deciding on which style to use for your academic goals, it is important to consider the type of research paper you are writing. For example, MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting is used when creating papers about humanities and liberal arts topics. Whereas APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines should be followed if you are researching in social science fields like psychology or sociology.

• Understand the conventions associated with each style.
• Know how each one will affect citation formats.

No matter which format you choose, there are certain elements that remain consistent across all styles: quality writing backed up by reliable sources and an easy-to-understand structure. It may take some time to learn all of these nuances before embarking on a project using either MLA or APA formatting guidelines; however, this knowledge can provide a great benefit when pursuing any sort of academic goal!

When it comes to selecting a research paper style, MLA and APA offer two distinct options that should be weighed carefully against the specific requirements of the task. In many cases, both styles are acceptable, but consideration must be given to any guidelines provided by instructors or other authorities as well as an assessment of what will yield more favorable results when published. Understanding these formats is key for students and researchers alike in order to produce quality work worthy of submission for publication or grading.

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Cite Sources

How to Cite Sources

Here is a complete list for how to cite sources. Most of these guides present citation guidance and examples in MLA, APA, and Chicago.

If you’re looking for general information on MLA or APA citations , the EasyBib Writing Center was designed for you! It has articles on what’s needed in an MLA in-text citation , how to format an APA paper, what an MLA annotated bibliography is, making an MLA works cited page, and much more!

MLA Format Citation Examples

The Modern Language Association created the MLA Style, currently in its 9th edition, to provide researchers with guidelines for writing and documenting scholarly borrowings.  Most often used in the humanities, MLA style (or MLA format ) has been adopted and used by numerous other disciplines, in multiple parts of the world.

MLA provides standard rules to follow so that most research papers are formatted in a similar manner. This makes it easier for readers to comprehend the information. The MLA in-text citation guidelines, MLA works cited standards, and MLA annotated bibliography instructions provide scholars with the information they need to properly cite sources in their research papers, articles, and assignments.

• Book Chapter
• Conference Paper
• Documentary
• Encyclopedia
• Google Images
• Kindle Book
• Memorial Inscription
• Museum Exhibit
• Painting or Artwork
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Sheet Music
• Thesis or Dissertation
• YouTube Video

APA Format Citation Examples

The American Psychological Association created the APA citation style in 1929 as a way to help psychologists, anthropologists, and even business managers establish one common way to cite sources and present content.

APA is used when citing sources for academic articles such as journals, and is intended to help readers better comprehend content, and to avoid language bias wherever possible. The APA style (or APA format ) is now in its 7th edition, and provides citation style guides for virtually any type of resource.

Chicago Style Citation Examples

The Chicago/Turabian style of citing sources is generally used when citing sources for humanities papers, and is best known for its requirement that writers place bibliographic citations at the bottom of a page (in Chicago-format footnotes ) or at the end of a paper (endnotes).

The Turabian and Chicago citation styles are almost identical, but the Turabian style is geared towards student published papers such as theses and dissertations, while the Chicago style provides guidelines for all types of publications. This is why you’ll commonly see Chicago style and Turabian style presented together. The Chicago Manual of Style is currently in its 17th edition, and Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations is in its 8th edition.

Citing Specific Sources or Events

• Declaration of Independence
• Gettysburg Address
• Martin Luther King Jr. Speech
• President Obama’s Farewell Address
• President Trump’s Inauguration Speech
• White House Press Briefing

Additional FAQs

• Citing Archived Contributors
• Citing a Blog
• Citing a Book Chapter
• Citing a Source in a Foreign Language
• Citing an Image
• Citing a Song
• Citing Special Contributors
• Citing a Translated Article
• Citing a Tweet

6 Interesting Citation Facts

The world of citations may seem cut and dry, but there’s more to them than just specific capitalization rules, MLA in-text citations , and other formatting specifications. Citations have been helping researches document their sources for hundreds of years, and are a great way to learn more about a particular subject area.

Ever wonder what sets all the different styles apart, or how they came to be in the first place? Read on for some interesting facts about citations!

1. There are Over 7,000 Different Citation Styles

You may be familiar with MLA and APA citation styles, but there are actually thousands of citation styles used for all different academic disciplines all across the world. Deciding which one to use can be difficult, so be sure to ask you instructor which one you should be using for your next paper.

2. Some Citation Styles are Named After People

While a majority of citation styles are named for the specific organizations that publish them (i.e. APA is published by the American Psychological Association, and MLA format is named for the Modern Language Association), some are actually named after individuals. The most well-known example of this is perhaps Turabian style, named for Kate L. Turabian, an American educator and writer. She developed this style as a condensed version of the Chicago Manual of Style in order to present a more concise set of rules to students.

3. There are Some Really Specific and Uniquely Named Citation Styles

How specific can citation styles get? The answer is very. For example, the “Flavour and Fragrance Journal” style is based on a bimonthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal published since 1985 by John Wiley & Sons. It publishes original research articles, reviews and special reports on all aspects of flavor and fragrance. Another example is “Nordic Pulp and Paper Research,” a style used by an international scientific magazine covering science and technology for the areas of wood or bio-mass constituents.

4. More citations were created on  EasyBib.com  in the first quarter of 2018 than there are people in California.

The US Census Bureau estimates that approximately 39.5 million people live in the state of California. Meanwhile, about 43 million citations were made on EasyBib from January to March of 2018. That’s a lot of citations.

5. “Citations” is a Word With a Long History

The word “citations” can be traced back literally thousands of years to the Latin word “citare” meaning “to summon, urge, call; put in sudden motion, call forward; rouse, excite.” The word then took on its more modern meaning and relevance to writing papers in the 1600s, where it became known as the “act of citing or quoting a passage from a book, etc.”

6. Citation Styles are Always Changing

The concept of citations always stays the same. It is a means of preventing plagiarism and demonstrating where you relied on outside sources. The specific style rules, however, can and do change regularly. For example, in 2018 alone, 46 new citation styles were introduced , and 106 updates were made to exiting styles. At EasyBib, we are always on the lookout for ways to improve our styles and opportunities to add new ones to our list.

Why Citations Matter

Here are the ways accurate citations can help your students achieve academic success, and how you can answer the dreaded question, “why should I cite my sources?”

They Give Credit to the Right People

Citing their sources makes sure that the reader can differentiate the student’s original thoughts from those of other researchers. Not only does this make sure that the sources they use receive proper credit for their work, it ensures that the student receives deserved recognition for their unique contributions to the topic. Whether the student is citing in MLA format , APA format , or any other style, citations serve as a natural way to place a student’s work in the broader context of the subject area, and serve as an easy way to gauge their commitment to the project.

They Provide Hard Evidence of Ideas

Having many citations from a wide variety of sources related to their idea means that the student is working on a well-researched and respected subject. Citing sources that back up their claim creates room for fact-checking and further research . And, if they can cite a few sources that have the converse opinion or idea, and then demonstrate to the reader why they believe that that viewpoint is wrong by again citing credible sources, the student is well on their way to winning over the reader and cementing their point of view.

They Promote Originality and Prevent Plagiarism

The point of research projects is not to regurgitate information that can already be found elsewhere. We have Google for that! What the student’s project should aim to do is promote an original idea or a spin on an existing idea, and use reliable sources to promote that idea. Copying or directly referencing a source without proper citation can lead to not only a poor grade, but accusations of academic dishonesty. By citing their sources regularly and accurately, students can easily avoid the trap of plagiarism , and promote further research on their topic.

They Create Better Researchers

By researching sources to back up and promote their ideas, students are becoming better researchers without even knowing it! Each time a new source is read or researched, the student is becoming more engaged with the project and is developing a deeper understanding of the subject area. Proper citations demonstrate a breadth of the student’s reading and dedication to the project itself. By creating citations, students are compelled to make connections between their sources and discern research patterns. Each time they complete this process, they are helping themselves become better researchers and writers overall.

When is the Right Time to Start Making Citations?

Make in-text/parenthetical citations as you need them.

As you are writing your paper, be sure to include references within the text that correspond with references in a works cited or bibliography. These are usually called in-text citations or parenthetical citations in MLA and APA formats. The most effective time to complete these is directly after you have made your reference to another source. For instance, after writing the line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities : “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…,” you would include a citation like this (depending on your chosen citation style):

(Dickens 11).

This signals to the reader that you have referenced an outside source. What’s great about this system is that the in-text citations serve as a natural list for all of the citations you have made in your paper, which will make completing the works cited page a whole lot easier. After you are done writing, all that will be left for you to do is scan your paper for these references, and then build a works cited page that includes a citation for each one.

Need help creating an MLA works cited page ? Try the MLA format generator on EasyBib.com! We also have a guide on how to format an APA reference page .

2. Understand the General Formatting Rules of Your Citation Style Before You Start Writing

While reading up on paper formatting may not sound exciting, being aware of how your paper should look early on in the paper writing process is super important. Citation styles can dictate more than just the appearance of the citations themselves, but rather can impact the layout of your paper as a whole, with specific guidelines concerning margin width, title treatment, and even font size and spacing. Knowing how to organize your paper before you start writing will ensure that you do not receive a low grade for something as trivial as forgetting a hanging indent.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s a formatting guide on APA format .

3. Double-check All of Your Outside Sources for Relevance and Trustworthiness First

Collecting outside sources that support your research and specific topic is a critical step in writing an effective paper. But before you run to the library and grab the first 20 books you can lay your hands on, keep in mind that selecting a source to include in your paper should not be taken lightly. Before you proceed with using it to backup your ideas, run a quick Internet search for it and see if other scholars in your field have written about it as well. Check to see if there are book reviews about it or peer accolades. If you spot something that seems off to you, you may want to consider leaving it out of your work. Doing this before your start making citations can save you a ton of time in the long run.

Finished with your paper? It may be time to run it through a grammar and plagiarism checker , like the one offered by EasyBib Plus. If you’re just looking to brush up on the basics, our grammar guides  are ready anytime you are.

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MLA vs APA: Citation & Format Differences

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It is useful that you understand the basics of major styles - in particular, difference between APA and MLA. They are, indeed, very popular. If you are required to follow a specific style when writing your paper, you should learn about them, This guide will help you understand some peculiarities of APA and MLA, including the following aspects:

• Academic areas these styles are typically used for
• General paper format
• Rules of making proper citations
• Rules of making proper bibliography.

Stay with us and you will learn most of the information you should know about difference between APA and MLA. This short guide would help you grasp the main concept of each style and help you choose a proper one for your paper in case you have to choose for yourself.

Don't have time to sort things out? Delegate your writing task to StudyCrumb and get expert assistance at affordable rates. Leave us a notice " write my paper for me cheap " and we will give you a helping hand. 

APA vs MLA: Applicable Disciplines

Before deciding whether you should use MLA or APA, it is useful to understand what each of these abbreviations means. APA format paper stands for ‘American Psychological Association’. It was developed by this organization and is therefore recommended for:

• Anthropology
• Social Sciences

MLA has received its name from the Modern Language Association. This organization recommends using this style in such fields of study:

• Linguistics
• Other Humanities disciplines.

Students are often instructed to follow a certain style when writing their papers. But if you need to choose whether to use MLA or APA on your own, consider the aforementioned lists of academic areas and it will be quite clear which path to take.

APA vs MLA: Citation

One of a key elements of both styles is a proper formatting of citations. You need to specify all your sources in APA and MLA. Refer to material correctly when citing it in your own text. However, each of these styles requires different in-text references. The order of sources’ details in a bibliography section is also different in each case. Below you will find detailed guidelines on how to cite your sources in APA and MLA.

MLA vs APA: In-Text Citation

Let’s start with MLA vs APA in-text citations. Both styles require parenthetical blocks for citing sources. Difference lies in details put within parenthesis. In APA, you have to include the last name of source’s author and a year this source was published. A page number is also required when a specific paragraph is directly quoted or paraphrased. Name, year and page number are separated by comma. In MLA, you have to include author’s last name and a page number which is always required. Use more than one MLA in text citation example to do it right. If you are citing a work by two authors, you need to put an ampersand between their names when following the APA style. In MLA, you should separate them with “and.” In case your source was written by multiple authors (3+), you need to specify the first author’s name and add “et al.” after it in both styles. Here are a couple of samples:

• Single author:

• Two authors:

• Multiple authors:

Works Cited in MLA vs APA Reference List

Another important aspect to consider when choosing APA or MLA: Works Cited section. In both styles, you are expected to provide complete information about all your sources at the end of your papers on a separate page. It is called Works Cited page in MLA and References in APA. The main differences are the order of a source’s details and their format. In APA, you have to provide an initial instead of an author’s first name and put a publication date right after that. You have to provide a full first name and put publication date MLA format at the end of your references. The following part – a book, journal or article title – is having each major word capitalized in MLA, but only the 1st word capitalized in APA.

APA vs MLA: Format

General requirements of MLA and APA formatting have a number of similarities:

• Text should be double-spaced.
• Font size should be 12 pt, Sans Serif (Times New Roman is preferred).
• 1 inch margin throughout a whole paper.
• 0.5 inch indent for every paragraph.

However there are significant differences between these styles. Especially, when it comes to the following elements: 

• Running head
• Headings and subheadings.

Let us explore these differences in detail. Pay close attention to each of these elements listed above.

What are requirements regarding your title page in APA or MLA? MLA cover page does not require creating a separate title page. You should however add a header on the first page of your paper. Rules are simple:

• your full name;
• your professor’s name;
• course title and number;
• submission date.
• Header must be left-aligned and double-spaced.
• The paper’s main heading must be centered on a new line under a header. Your instructor may require you to include one, though.

In APA, a separate cover page is required. This is the first page of your paper. It should contain these parts:

• Title of your paper
• Your full name
• Your institution and course
• Name of your professor
• Submission date.

An entire page should be centered and double-spaced. Use our Title Page Creator to generate a cover page in APA or MLA automatically. 

Running Head in MLA and APA

Let us now find out what are the differences between MLA and APA when it comes to the running head. In MLA, you need to include your last name and the page number into the running head. They both must be aligned to the right. It should appear at the top of every page. Into the running head APA you need to include a right-aligned page number, likewise. However it should be preceded by a shortened version of your paper’s title. It must be up to 50 characters long, all in capitals and left-aligned. This header should appear at the top of every page, including the title page.

If you need to convert lowercase to uppercase for your running head, feel free to use our tool. 

Headings and Subheadings

Finally, let us explore the rules of APA and MLA heading  and subheading. Both styles foresee 5 levels of section headings. Here is how they are to be distinguished:

• APA: centered, bold, title case
• MLA: left-aligned, bold, no indent
• APA: left-aligned, bold, title case, no indent
• MLA: left-aligned, italicized, no indent
• APA: left-aligned, bold, italicized, title case, no indent
• MLA: centered, bold
• APA: left-aligned, bold, title case, indented and ending with period (.) The next paragraph starts from the same line
• MLA: centered, italicized
• APA: left-aligned, bold, title case, italicized, indented and ending with period. The next paragraph starts from the same line
• MLA: left-aligned, underlined.

MLA vs APA: Examples

If you need some MLA and APA format examples to make it easier for you, we’ve created a few templates for your convenience. Just click on the links below and you will find more valuable information about them. Pay close attention to the implementation of the above rules in these examples.

Bottom Line

In this article we have learned together how is APA different from MLA. Also, we figured out different key points which require your attention when analysing peculiarities of both styles. These key points are:

• Applicable disciplines
• In-text citations and bibliography
• General format
• Title page, header, headings and subheadings.

Each key point was explained, briefly but concisely. Samples were given to clarify all complicated cases. In addition to this detailed review we have created several templates. They could help to grasp the key differences. We hope this information will be helpful for you in your studies. Feel free to use it when creating your next paper! 

If you need further help, do not hesitate to contact us! Our team of academic advisors is always happy to provide assistance with assignment. You do not have to worry about deadlines. Our writers have plenty of experience with different papers. They will do your work in a quick and qualitative way!

Frequently Asked Questions about MLA vs APA style

1. which format is more common – apa or mla.

It is difficult to specify which style is more popular so it would be safe to assume that they are equally common. Both APA and MLA are widely used among college students in the US, UK and many other countries. Simultaneously, MLA is more often preferred among high-school students, who are required to use it in their papers. Apparently, the reason is that it is an easier one for starters.

2. Which style is easier to use - MLA or APA?

In general, both APA and MLA styles have clear and straightforward rules which do not make any of them too complicated for an average student to use. At the same time a popular opinion is that MLA style requires less effort since its rules of citing references are less complicated compared to APA. This makes it easy to complete an MLA paper in time.

3. What is the most difficult thing about APA style?

Following rules of APA style is not too complicated for those who are well experienced in writing scientific papers. But if you are a starter, the most difficult element of this style for you would be citing your sources in the bibliography section. The reason is, APA has complex rules of formatting full references, especially when it comes to specific printed issues, volumes and articles in periodicals.

4. Can I use MLA format in Social Sciences?

Typically, rules of choosing a style are pretty strict when it comes to a highly specialized paper of a senior grade student. So, MLA format cannot be used in an academic paper in Psychology, Economics, Social Sciences or anything else from a related area. Instead, you should use APA format for such disciplines. In any case, the best way is to consult with your instructor beforehand.

Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.

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What is MLA Style?

MLA Style establishes standards of written communication concerning:

• formatting and page layout
• applying stylistic technicalities (e.g. abbreviations, footnotes, quotations)
• citing sources
• preparing a manuscript for publication in certain disciplines.

Why Use MLA?

Using MLA Style properly makes it easier for readers to navigate and comprehend a text through familiar cues that refer to sources and borrowed information. Editors and instructors also encourage everyone to use the same format so there is consistency of style within a given field. Abiding by MLA's standards as a writer will allow you to:

• Provide your readers with cues they can use to follow your ideas more efficiently and to locate information of interest to them
• Allow readers to focus more on your ideas by not distracting them with unfamiliar or complicated formatting
• Establish your credibility or ethos in the field by demonstrating an awareness of your audience and their needs as fellow researchers (particularly concerning the citing of references)

Who Should Use MLA?

MLA Style is typically reserved for writers and students preparing manuscripts in various humanities disciplines such as:

• English Studies - Language and Literature
• Foreign Languages and Literatures
• Literary Criticism
• Comparative Literature
• Cultural Studies

MLA Formatting and Notation Style

You should start by becoming familiar with the general formatting requirements of MLA Style, as well as the different standards for notation that MLA writers are expected to use. Because MLA is different than other writing styles, such as APA, you should pay attention to every detail of the Style, from general paper layout to abbreviations. The following pages will introduce you to some of these basic requirements to get you started in the right direction.

General Format

• Covers the basic requirements of page layout for a typical MLA manuscript
• Includes general guidelines to apply throughout the document and specific formatting details for the first page of the paper
• Provides an image of the first page of a sample essay written in MLA Style

Footnotes and Endnotes

• Explains the necessity for using both types of notes and how to use them effectively in an MLA paper
• Covers different reasons for why you may use a footnote or endnote to supplement the main body of your paper
• Describes how to number and format the notes to be consistent with MLA guidelines

Formatting Quotations

• Describes how to format quotations borrowed from secondary sources
• Addresses both short quotations worked into the writer's own sentences and long quotations that are blocked off as distinct material
• Explains how to omit or add in words properly to clarify the meaning of a quotation

Abbreviations

• Covers MLA standards for abbreviating words commonly used in academic prose
• Describes the different categories of abbreviations: times, locations, academic references, and publishers
• Includes guidelines for abbreviating information in citations on a Works Cited page

MLA Citations and Works Cited Page

As with any publishing style, the most difficult aspects of MLA Style are the requirements for citing secondary sources accurately. The pages included here walk you through the details of incorporating citations into the text of your paper as well as how to compose a Works Cited page of references at the end of your paper.  Read these guidelines carefully.  It is important that you refer to your sources according to MLA Style so your readers can quickly follow the citations to the reference page and then, from there, locate any sources that might be of interest to them. They will expect this information to be presented in a particular style, and any deviations from that style could result in confusing your readers.

How to Document Sources in MLA Style: An Overview

• Covers the process for developing Works Cited pages and in-text citations using MLA (9th ed.)
• Explains "containers," a concept new to the eighth edition, including how to apply them to develop citations

In-Text Citations: The Basics

• Addresses the MLA Style formatting requirements for citing secondary sources within the text of your essay
• Offers a few basic rules for using parenthetical citations, including when not to use them
• Includes examples of in-text citations
• Explains the author-page formatting of the parenthetical citation and how that applies to different types of sources
• Provides examples of in-text citations based on the kind of source being cited, such as a literary work, an anonymous work, and a work with multiple authors
• Describes how to cite a source indirectly referenced in another source

Works Cited Page: Basic Format

• Guides you through the general rules that apply to any Works Cited page using MLA Style, including where the page appears and how to organize the works
• Walks you through how to construct a reference entry for different types of texts, starting with a focus on authors
• Serves as a primer on formatting that will be expanded in all of the following pages addressing MLA Works Cited entries for different types of sources
• Includes an example Works Cited Page

Works Cited Page: Books

• Builds from the basic format page with a focus on how to create citations for certain commonly referenced book sources
• Includes guidelines and examples for a variety of books depending on the number of authors, whether the work is a piece is a larger work, or the book itself is part of multivolume collection

Works Cited Page: Other Common Sources

• Provides guidelines on how to reference other sources you may encounter during research that are considered books or non-periodical works
• Includes works that you might likely use but that have unusual publication information, such as a government document, pamphlet, or dissertation

Works Cited Page: Periodicals

• Covers the guidelines for developing a citation entry for works found in periodicals (typically articles in circulating publications that have different dates and volume/issue numbers)
• Lists types of entries depending on the kind of journal (e.g. one paginated by volume), if the source is a magazine vs. a newspaper, or the kind of article (e.g. a letter to the editor)

Works Cited Page: Electronic Sources

• Demonstrates the basic requirements and unique qualifications for constructing references for different types of electronic sources
• Covers more standard sources—from online periodicals and scholarly databases—to less conventional sources, like emails and video recordings found online
• Includes OWL suggestions on how to cite blog entries and comments posted to blogs (NOTE: consult your instructor to find out if these are acceptable research sources to use for your assignment)

Works Cited Page: Other Non-Print Sources

• Applies the basic MLA citation rules to non-print sources you may use in your research, such as interviews and images
• Provides directions and examples of how to cite video and sound recordings, as well as three dimensional works like sculptures

Please Note:  If you know exactly what you're looking for concerning MLA, you can use the OWL Navigation to the left by looking under "Research and Citation" and clicking on "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." You may also use the search option in the navigation bar to find resources.

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

APA vs MLA — What Does Your College Prefer?

Updated: February 13, 2024

Published: November 20, 2019

When it comes to doing essays, presentations, and other assignments, your college will require you to reference your work — this means giving credit to the sources from which you took the information. It is important, however, that you use the referencing style required by your college, as there are many different referencing styles out there. Let’s do a comparison of APA vs MLA, two of the more commonly used styles, and understand which one you should be using in your classes.

Citation Format Confusion

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Both the APA and MLA referencing formats are well known and widely popular. Because of this, you may be asking yourself, do colleges use MLA or APA? The short answer is that they use both. The format that you are required to use is determined by the college you go to as well as the courses you take.

While these formats do have differences that set them apart, there are many similarities that they share that can lead to confusion between the two. In the following sections, we will take a look at some of the similarities and differences between MLA vs APA so that you can identify each one.

How are MLA and APA Similar?

The most basic way in which both styles are similar is that they both require all information to be referenced in the reference list at the end of the paper. Each reference is also listed alphabetically.

Secondly, all work that is not your own original work needs to be referenced. This is because by not doing so, you would be guilty of plagiarism. In case you are unsure, plagiarism is the use of someone else’s work without giving them credit where it is due.

In both the APA and MLA styles, parentheses are used for referencing within the body of the paper.

Finally, when using both styles, your paper needs to be double spaced. This includes the reference page. All margins should be 1 inch.

What Does MLA Include?

Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

The MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association for referencing sources in academic writing. It has since been used in classrooms as well as by scholars, journal publishers, and academics at large.

When referencing with the MLA style , the following details are listed in order:

• Title of source.
• Title of container
• Other contributors
• Publication date,

When doing in-text referencing, you should always include the author’s name and the page number. The page number always needs to appear in parenthesis. You have a choice to either include the author’s name in the same parenthesis or to include the author’s name in the sentence being referenced.

What Does APA Include?

The APA style was developed by the American Psychological Association. This happened in 1929, when a group of psychologists, anthropologists, and business-people came together to decide on a style that should be used for scientific writing so that it can be easily read by other people.

The APA referencing method differs depending on the type of source that you are referencing.

When referencing books with the APA style , the following details are listed in order:

• Title of source

Keep in mind that the referencing differs for other sources such as websites and academic journals.

Top Differences Between MLA and APA

Other Differences

While the major differences between the two styles are listed above, there are several other differences that also set them apart.

Source: EduBirdie

When to use each format.

The MLA format, having been developed by the Modern Language Association, is typically used in humanities and liberal arts programs. Examples of majors where the MLA format is widely used are literature, visual arts, and theatre.

The APA format, developed by the American Psychological Association, was created specifically for use in behavioral and social sciences. Majors where the APA format is preferred include psychology, sociology, and history. There are other fields where the APA style is also sometimes applied, such as in the field of communications.

1. If You’re A Student

You may be required to learn both referencing styles while you are in school. Do not worry about using the wrong one in assignments, however, as your teacher should tell you which one to use. If they do not, be sure to ask so that you don’t make a mistake.

2. If You’re A Teacher

Students in humanities normally follow the MLA format, while those in science and research field usually follow the APA format.

Often, the MLA format is focused on in schools.

It is important that students are required to use one standardized referencing format throughout a course. This is so that it becomes easy to find the writer’s sources and ensure that referencing is done thoroughly.

It is recommended that students are taught a referencing style in high school so that they are prepared for referencing in college.

Does the Subject of the Paper Matter?

First of all, many online universities such as University of the People require the use of APA referencing.

If you are someone who attends an online university with diverse program options such as University of the People (which has programs in education, business administration, computer science, and health science), check your course materials or ask your lecturer what they require you to use.

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13: Citing Your Research Using MLA or APA Style

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• Page ID 6551

• Steven D. Krause
• Eastern Michigan University

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• 13.1: What is Citation For, Anyway?
• 13.2: An Abbreviated Guide to MLA Style
• 13.3: Formatting of Works Cited Pages, Annotated Bibliographies, and Works Consulted Documents
• 13.4: An Abbreviated Guide to APA Style
• 13.5: Formatting of Reference Pages, Bibliographies, and Annotated Bibliographies

MLA, APA, & CMS: How to Properly Format Your Papers

Knowing the styles and when to use them.

In academic writing, how you present your information (technically) is often seen as important as the ideas you are putting forth. Proper citing, quoting and referencing of source material allows you to convey your breadth of research in a language commonly shared by others in your discipline. Giving others a chance to review and compare your work under these established guidelines enables your instructors to better see the work on its own merits, opposed to getting sidetracked by technical inefficiencies.

You MUST follow the rules like every other student: this is not an area where you want to stand out for doing things your own way. Writing for any academic purpose carries with it certain expectations and formatting consistencies, and a failure to properly understand how or why you cite your sources in a specific way can have negative effects on your written projects and communications.

The Big Three: APA, MLA, and CMS

There are three main "Schools of Style" used to properly format an academic paper, referred to as APA, MLA, or CMS.

• APA style : These are the official guidelines put forth by the American Psychological Association, now in its sixth edition. This is the preference of the social sciences, so if you are studying sociology, psychology, medicine, or social work you are going to know APA style.
• MLA style : The Modern Language Association provides guidelines you will be familiar with if you are focused on the Humanities: so artists, English majors, and theatre students will know MLA as they have used this style now for more than half a century.
• CMS style : These are the style guidelines put forth in the Chicago Manual of Style , now in its 16th edition.  CMS style is predominantly seen in the humanities, particularly with literature students and those who study advanced segments of history and/or the arts.

While these formatting methods will share many characteristics such as margins and spacing, how they attribute references to source materials is the main differentiator.  For example, APA lists "references" while MLA calls the same thing "works cited" - a small but important distinction that might actually affect your grade.

Typically, you are going to use one style for most of your classes and communications, but there is certainly the possibility that you'll need to know how to use any one of these three common styles. The good news is it is not hard to get up-to-speed on any one of them and use them properly.

Get the Latest Updates Regardless of which style you are using, it is imperative to get the most recent version of the guidelines to ensure your paper is as accurate as it can be. Each of the sources have updated their guidelines multiple times over the years, so working with the current standards is goal one.

• APA style guidelines: http://www.apastyle.org
• MLA style guidelines: http://www.mla.org/style
• CMS style guidelines: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/

APA and MLA are the most common styles to use, but CMS is not unheard of - just not as common for undergrads. CMS is commonly used in traditional book publishing and academic publishing situations, so if you are doing post-graduate writing, it is good to know.

The main thing that seems to be changing in the rules for all of them is about the proper attribution of web-related sources, so you are going to want to re-check that you are working from the most recent versions of whichever style guide you need.

Beware the Pitfalls

The common mistakes being made in properly styling citations and references might be as simple as not downloading the most recent updates; however, it may also be a case where students are simply not understanding how to infuse referencing properly.

He continues: "While some common APA formatting errors may be issues due to changes in updated guidelines (APA 5 vs. APA 6), there are other, perhaps more common instances where a student fails to properly reference the source materials within writing assignments. This is particularly true when citing content from the Internet. Understanding how to properly reference and cite source materials adds power to any student paper, because the papers can be used to show a proper understanding and blending of source ideas - a critical concept in higher learning."

"Some of the changes to the guidelines seem very dubious and meticulous," he continues, "but standards are there so an evaluator can assess the weight of the material without bias. Many of my students might complain about it, but the ones that succeed are the ones who are actively trying to use citing resources to their own argument's advantage."

Common MLA Mistakes APA students are not the only ones who have common mistakes in formatting - as evidenced by the following insight offered from Dr. Margaret Walters of Kennesaw State University , where she and her students have used primarily MLA guidelines in their writing, editing and literature classes. Dr. Walters has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate level writing courses at Kennesaw State University for over 15 years.

Dr. Walters said, "The most common problems I see with MLA style occur in the writing, meaning the text itself, not the bibliography or Works Cited...though there are often some problems to address there, too. In the text, the most common problems are:

• putting a period before and sometimes after the parenthetical citation, as in: ".... and this point is made early on." (Smith 127).
• placing the closing quotation mark after the citation in parenthesis instead of after the quote: " .... and this point is made early on (Smith 127)".
• placing quotation marks inside commas and periods instead of after them:  Smith tells us that among the most important rules are the ones regarding use of commas", yet he does not explain how this happens". (127) [those writing British English use the opposite rule--quotation marks inside end punctuation]."

Dr. Walters continued: "In the Works Cited, the most common MLA-related problems are:

• not alphabetizing (even though this is the easiest rule to follow)
• mixing up MLA and APA style; e.g. using initials for first names when MLA says use full first names and middle initials
• leaving off the place of publication - it should be New York: Penguin, 2009 but will instead say Penguin, 2009
• not knowing rules for using quotations marks or when to underline / italicize

"Students get it right most of the time," Dr. Walters states. "I think the underlying problem is an unwillingness to use the style sheets, handouts, or even the MLA handbook.  If they use the resources offered, most students are not going to struggle to meet the guidelines."

Get More Help

Both Dr. Walters and Professor Long advise students to use strong and verifiable resources to make your formatting job easier. Both instructors advise checking out the OWL (Online Writing Lab) Resources offered by Purdue in addition to the links to the sites listed above.

The writing center at your own university may hold lots of great information and people to help you understand what to do in each situation you face. Not every situation calls for the same style guide, so checking with the experts on your campus is always a smart idea.

For a quick reference, you can also use the handy visual aids created by Capital Community College on MLA and APA styled papers: ( http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/library/citing.htm ) or look at the MLA vs. APA comparison chart created by the University Writing Center at Appalachian State University .

The Bottom Line

The reality is, depending on your discipline, there may be only one type of style that you need to use, ever. However, this is not saying the rules for how to properly cite resources and references is not going to continue to change and evolve over time. You will be held responsible for being current.

As a student or in post-college academic writing, you want your work to shine and to always show your best efforts. This means checking on the rules to properly style and format your papers. Use the links and information above to help ensure you are forever properly dotting your I's and crossing your T's according to the latest and greatest rules.

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MLA Works Cited Page: Format, Template & Examples

The Works Cited page is a part of research papers written in the Modern Language Association (MLA) format where all sources used by the author are listed. While writing research papers, authors may consult several sources and use their data or paraphrase parts of the original text. It is essential to give due credit to the used sources and cite them appropriately to avoid plagiarism. This list of sources offers an easy reference for readers who may want to refer to the original source for their own research.  

A well-formatted and accurate Works Cited page can provide readers with specific details to help them access that source. For example, for a journal article, in addition to basic details like author name, title, journal name, etc., the MLA Works Cited page also provides the volume and issue numbers, page numbers, publisher, etc. A Works Cited page gives credibility to the research paper, proving that the information published is accurate and backed by evidence. 

This article describes the template of an MLA Works Cited page along with examples and suggests steps to ensure accurate formatting of all entries. 

Table of Contents

• What is a Works Cited Page? 
• Basic Rules for an MLA Works Cited Page 
• Online journal article with DOI or URL 
• Online newspaper article 
• E-book 
• Specific type of e-book (Kindle, Nook) 
• Print book 
• Chapter in edited book 
• Web page with an author 
• Web page with no author 
• Web page with no author or organization 
• Blog post 
• Video 
• YouTube video 
• Image 
• Conference paper presentation 
• Dissertation from a database 
• Twitter (now X) posts 
• Format of an MLA Works Cited Page 
• Formatting Headings and Citation Titles on an MLA Works Cited Page 
• Single author 
• Two authors 
• Three or more authors 
• General rules 
• Key Takeaways 
• Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a Works Cited Page?

The MLA Works Cited page 1 lists all the sources used while writing research papers. This page is always the last one after the main content. A Works Cited page uses the official MLA format and has similar content as reference lists used by other styles such as the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago style), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Medical Association (AMA). Each style uses a different format, emphasizing different elements. 

The Works Cited page helps avoid plagiarism by crediting the sources and allows readers to quickly locate the sources. Papers in MLA format should always have a Works Cited page and each entry on this page should be cited in the text at the corresponding location. 

Basic Rules for an MLA Works Cited Page

Here are some basic rules for writing the MLA Works Cited page: 2  

• Start your Works Cited list on a fresh page at the end of your paper, with the same formatting as other sections, such as one-inch margins, last name, page number, and header. 
• Align the title, “Works Cited,” at the top center. Don’t use italicization, boldfacing, quotation marks, or all-caps to highlight the title. 
• Left align the citations and arrange them alphabetically by authors’ last names. If author names are unavailable, arrange by the first letter in the title (other than A, An, or The). 
• Do not use serial numbering or bullets to list the entries. 
• Double space all citations. 
• Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inches to create a hanging indent (Figure 1). 

• List page numbers of the sources correctly. If only one page of a print source is used, use the abbreviation “p.” before the page number (e.g., p. 232). If a page range is used, use “pp.” (e.g., pp. 232-38). 
• For online sources, include a location, like a URL or a digital object identifier (DOI). Delete “http://” from URLs. The DOI or URL is usually the last element in a citation. 
• End all entries with a period. 

Citing Sources in MLA

A citation in an MLA Works Cited page requires the following core elements. These elements should be written in the order given below, followed by the punctuation mark shown unless the particular element is the final element of the entry, in which case, it should end with a period. 4,5  

• Author’s name
• Title of source
• Title of the container, (a container is the larger publication in which the text is published. For example, if citing an article from a journal, the journal is the container) 
• Other editors, translators, contributors
• Publication date
• Location (page numbers in print versions; DOI or URL in online versions) 

A few optional elements can be included, if available: 

• Date of access (the date you last accessed the online source) 
• Date of original publication 
• Format of media source 

All style guides have their own specific formats for writing different sources in a reference list—journal articles, printed and digital books, videos, websites, etc. The MLA-style format for different types of sources is listed below: 4

Online journal article with DOI or URL

Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Title of Journal , vol., no. (issue), date of publication, pp. (if available). Database Name , DOI or URL. 

Online newspaper article

Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Name of Newspaper , Publication Date, p. (if available), URL. Access date. 

Author’s last name, First name. Title of Book . E-book, publisher, publication year, DOI or URL (if available). 

Specific type of e-book (Kindle, Nook)

Author’s last name, First name. Title of Book , editor or translator (if necessary), (Kindle/Nook) ed., publisher, year. 

Author’s last name, First name. Title of Book . City*, Publisher, Publication Date. 

*City is cited only if the book is published before 1900 or if the publisher has multiple offices worldwide. 

Chapter in edited book

Author’s last name, First name. Title of Book . Edited by FirstName LastName, publisher, year, page range of chapter. 

Web page with an author

Author’s last name, First name. “Title of Webpage.” Title of Website , URL. Access date. 

Web page with no author

“Title of Article.” Title of Website , date of publication, URL. Access date. 

Web page with no author or organization

“Title of Webpage.” Title of Website (if different), publication year, URL. Access date. 

Author’s last name, First Name (or, in some cases, screen name, editor, etc.). “Title of Post.” Name of Website , version or date of post, name of organization (if different), URL. Access date. 

Title of Motion Picture/Film . Directed by First Name Last Name, performances by First Name Last Name, Studio Name, Year. Access date, Media format. 

Last Name, First Name, director/writer/producer. Title of Motion Picture/Film . Studio, Year. Access date, Media format. 

YouTube video

If author is different from the uploader: 

Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of Video.” YouTube , uploaded by [Screen name], date, URL. Access date, Media format. 

If author and uploader are the same OR if there is no clear author: 

“Title of Video.” YouTube , uploaded by [Screen name], date, URL. Access date, Media format. 

Artist’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Image , date of creation, institution, city. Name of web site , URL. 

Title of Piece . Date of creation. Name of Website , URL. 

Conference paper presentation

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Conference Paper Title.” Conference Title that Includes Date and Location , edited by Conference Editor(s). Publisher. Date of Publication. 

Dissertation from a database

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Dissertation (Doctoral dissertation) . Database name, date of publication, URL (if available). 

Twitter (now X) posts

Twitter Handle (First Name Last Name if Known). “The entire tweet word-for-word.”  Twitter , Day Month Year of Tweet, Time of Tweet, URL. 

Format of an MLA Works Cited Page

Here’s a list of steps for formatting the MLA Works Cited page:

• Place one-inch margins around the entire document except for the “running head.” In the page setup settings, you can view and modify the margin size. 
• Double space the entire page using the “Line spacing” or “Paragraph spacing” options in your word processing program. 
• Organize the Works Cited entries in either alphabetical (by author name or title) or non-alphabetical order. 1,2

Example: 

Benjamin, Chloe. The Immortalists . Penguin, 2018. 

Black Panther . Directed by Ryan Coogler, performance by Chadwick Boseman, Marvel Studios, 2018. 

Egan, Jennifer. Manhattan Beach . Scribner, 2017. 

Formatting Headings and Citation Titles on an MLA Works Cited Page

The following points outline the basic format for headings and titles used on a Works Cited page. 1 The running head is at the top right corner of every page of the document. It displays the last name of the author and the page number (e.g., Letterman 6). 

• The running head should be placed half an inch from the top of the page and along the right side’s one-inch margin. 
• The page title (Work/Works Cited) should be written below the running head.  
• No center alignment 
• No boldfacing, italicization, or underlining 
• Same font size (12 point) and type as the entire document 
• Separated by a double space from the first citation on the page 

Consider the following rules while formatting source titles: 1,5,7,8  

• List the full title as the original source and use title case (capitalize all principal words, except articles [a, an, the], prepositions, or coordinating conjunctions [and, for, but, or, so, nor, yet] when in the middle of the title). 

Examples:  

The Code of the Exiled, Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  

Cheyfitz, Eric. The Poetics of Imperialism: Translation and Colonization from The Tempest to Tarzan. Expanded ed., U of Pennsylvania P, 1997. 

• Separate the subtitle from the title with a colon and space. 

Goldman, Anne. “Questions of Transport: Reading Primo Levi Reading Dante.” The Georgia Review , vol. 64, no. 1, 2010, pp. 69-88. 

• Italicize titles if the source is self-contained and independent, e.g., titles of books, plays, films, periodicals, journals, magazines, databases, and websites. 

Example: Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye . Little Brown, 1991. 

• Enclose titles in quotation marks if the source is part of a larger work, e.g., articles, essays, chapters, poems, short stories, webpages, songs, television episodes, and speeches. 
• Titles beginning with numbers are placed in the reference list as if the title was written out alphabetically. 

Formatting Author Names on an MLA Work Cited Page

Few important rules to consider when formatting author names: 1,2  

Single author

• List author names alphabetically by the author’s last name (or, for entire edited collections, editor names). The format for writing author names is as follows: 

Last name, first name, middle name or middle initial  

Said, Edward W. Culture and Imperialism . Knopf, 1994. 

• To cite more than one work by the same author, order the entries alphabetically by title, and use three hyphens in place of the author’s name for every entry after the first. 

Alcott, Louisa May. “Eight Cousins.” Project Gutenberg , 2018, www.gutenberg.org/files/2726/2726-h/2726-h.htm . 

—. Little Women . Bantam Classics, 1983. 

—. Rose in Bloom . CreateSpace, 2018. 

Two authors

The first listed author’s name on the source is the first author in the reference.  

Last name, First name of author 1, and First name Last name of author 2 

Pavear, Richard, and Larissa Volokhonsky, translators. Crime and Punishment . By Feodor Dostoevsky, Vintage eBooks, 1993. 

Three or more authors

Include only the first listed author’s last name, followed by a comma and their first name, followed by another comma and then “et al.”  

Example:  

Baron, Sabrina Alcorn, et al., editors. Agent of Change: Print Culture Studies after Elizabeth L. Eisenstein. U of Massachusetts P / Center for the Book, Library of Congress, 2007. 

General rules

• Do not list titles (Dr., Sir, etc.) or degrees (PhD, MA, MD, etc.) with names but include suffixes like “Jr.” or “II.”  

King, Martin Luther, Jr. 

• Alphabetize works with no known author by their title; use a shortened version of the title in the parenthetical citations in your paper. 

Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulations . […] 

Boring Postcards USA […] 

• To cite works by authors using a pseudonym or stage-name, cite the better-known name if the person is well known. For example, Lewis Carroll is the pseudonym of Charles Dodgson, and is the better-known name so only the pseudonym should be used. If the pseudonym is less well known, cite the real name in square brackets after the pseudonym.  

Van Dyne, Edith [L. Frank Baum]. Aunt Jane’s Nieces At Work . 1st World Library, 2006. 

Key Takeaways

To summarize, an MLA Works Cited page should have the following format: 

• Starts on a new page at the end. 
• Centered page title without any highlights. 
• Double-spaced citations, preferably in Times New Roman 12-pt font. 
• Left-justified entries with a hanging indent of 0.5 inches. 
• Source titles in title case. 
• Entries ordered by the first word, typically author name or the first word in the title (except articles a, an, the). If the title begins with a year or a number, alphabetize it as if the number/year is spelled out. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A1. The Works Cited page and references have a similar purpose; both include sources that have been specifically cited or paraphrased in the paper and whose data have been directly used. A bibliography includes a list of sources related to the content in a research paper, that is, sources that you may have consulted while writing your research paper, but may not have actually used, cited, or paraphrased from. 1   

A2. Yes, there are a few other styles for citing references, such as the Chicago Style, AMA Manual of Style, APA Manual of Style, and the IEEE style. All of these have different referencing formats. In addition, organizations may create their own referencing styles, commonly called a house style. 

A3. No, the Works Cited page should include only those sources that you have cited or whose data you have used in your research paper. Sources that you have only consulted while conducting research should be included in a bibliography. 

A4. Per MLA format, ignore symbols, such as hashtags when alphabetizing. Use the first letter in the entry to alphabetize. 9   Example:  @AP. “It’s been four years since the #MeToo movement took over social media. . . .” X, 15 Oct. 2021, https://twitter.com/AP/status/1449019990741590025.  “#MeToo Poll: Many in US More Willing to Call Out Misconduct.” Associated Press , 15 Oct. 2021, https://apnews.com/article/sexual-misconduct-metoo-79688da3a0c3519d2a76b5b6e6b23ba7.  “#MeToo Protest in Amsterdam after Allegations at TV Show.” Associated Press , 29 Jan. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-entertainment-netherlands-amsterdam-4bb589aae061e534b1a47ac453e9d85f . 

A5. Here is one way of adding a hanging indent in MS Word: 10   1. Highlight the text that you want to format.   2. Click the Home tab at the top of the page; in the “Paragraph” section click the small arrow in the lower-right corner to open a window with different paragraph setting options.   3. In that settings window, look for a section, “Indentation,” which has an option, “Special.” Click the drop-down menu beneath Special and select Hanging.   4. MS Word will mostly have the default spacing of the hanging indent set to 0.5 inches. To adjust the spacing, change the number in the By section.  5. Click OK to save and apply the hanging indent to your highlighted text. 

To summarize, an MLA Works Cited page is an essential part of a manuscript written using the MLA style and includes all sources used by the author to write the research paper. As described in the article, the Works Cited page and its entries have a specific format that should be strictly followed, and all the core elements included in the individual entries.  

We hope this article has provided a deeper understanding of the MLA style and will help you apply this format to all your Works Cited pages. 

References  

• What is a works cited page? EasyBib website. Accessed May 14, 2024. https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/how-to-format-a-mla-works-cited-list/  
• MLA Works Cited page: Basic format. Purdue Online Writing Lab. Accessed May 14, 2024. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html  
• MLA Citation: Works Cited Example. Press Books @ MSL website. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csu-fyw-rhetoric/chapter/12-4-mla-works-cited-examples/  
• MLA Works Cited Page. The University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/mla-works-cited-page  
• Section 5. List of Works Cited. MLA Handbook eighth edition. 
• Sample MLA Works Cited Page. College of San Mateo library website. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/docs/MLAWorksCited7.pdf  
• MLA Style Guide, 8 th & 9 th Editions: Title of Source. Accessed May 18, 2024. https://irsc.libguides.com/c.php?g=483085&p=3303403#:~:text=Italicize%20titles%20if%20the%20source,are%20placed%20in%20quotation%20marks . 
• Frequently Asked Questions about Citing Sources in MLA Format. Harvard Guide to Using Sources. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu/frequently-asked-questions-about-citing-sources-mla-format  
• How do I alphabetize a works-cited-list entry that begins with a hashtag or another symbol? MLA Style Center. Accessed May 21, 2024. https://style.mla.org/alphabetizing-hashtags-and-other-symbols/  
• Hanging Indents and Microsoft Word. MLA Style Center. Accessed May 21, 2024. https://style.mla.org/hanging-indents/  

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