What's the difference between APA and MLA citation styles?
Answer
Both styles give rules for citing sources, but different academic disciplines use them.
APA (American Psychological Association)
- Psychology
- Nursing, Business, and some social sciences are adopting it.
MLA (Modern Language Association)
- Literature; Languages
- Most of PCC's Writing courses.
Differences: In-text citations & the list of references (or works).
APA style
Garcia (2008) found that language on Twitter is evolving, due to pressure to be both concise and
emotional. However, a later study saw no such evolution (Armstrong, 2020).
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References
Armstrong, M. T. (2020). "Twitter-induced language change reconsidered." Journal of Language
Change, 2(1), 20-28, https://doi.org/10.1002/s16802-006-9001-2
Garcia, L. (2018). "Darwin on Twitter: How language evolves online." PMBTLA Quarterly, 30(4), pp.
12- 22, https://doi.org/10.1007/s18802-006-9007-4
MLA style
Linda Garcia concludes that the language used on Twitter is evolving. She notes the simultaneous
pressure to be concise and to be emotional (16). However, a later study saw no such evolution
(Armstrong 25-26).
______________________________________________________
Works Cited
Armstrong, Mark T. "Twitter-Induced Language Change Reconsidered." Journal of Language
Change, vol. 2, no. 1, 2020, pp. 20-28. 10.1002/s16802-006-9001-2.
Garcia, Linda. "Darwin on Twitter: How Language Evolves Online." PMBTLA Quarterly, vol. 30, no.
4, 2018, pp. 12- 22. Academic Search Premier, 10.1007/s18802-006-9007-4.
Other noteworthy differences
Dates of publication
APA
In text: (Smith, 1992) or (Smith, 1992, p. 20)
References: Smith, T. (1992). Curiosity killed the cat. Random House.
MLA
In text: (Smith) or (Smith, 20)
Work cited: Smith, Thomas. Curiosity Killed the Cat. Random House, 1992.
Authors: Initials
Example: Jennifer A. Townsend (as listed on the source)
APA reference begins: Townsend, J. A.
APA always uses initials for given names and middle names, no matter how the source lists them.
MLA works cited entry begins: Townsend, Jennifer A.
MLA always uses the form listed on the source. If it is listed as Jennifer Ann Townsend, then MLA uses that form: Townsend, Jennifer Ann.
Formatting titles: Pay attention to capitalization, italics, and quotation marks
Articles or chapters
APA A nation transformed: What green energy means for Ghana.
MLA "A Nation Transformed: What Green Energy Means for Ghana."
Books
APA Black holes: Their origin and future
MLA Black Holes: Their Origin and Future
Journals or Magazines (no difference here)
APA Journal of Abnormal Psychology
MLA Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Citing page numbers in-text
APA requires that you cite page numbers (or another locator) for a quotation. This is optional for a paraphrase or summary.
(Ford, 2021, p. 17) for a quotation
(Ford, 2021) for a paraphrase or summary, or optionally (Ford, 2021, p. 17)
MLA requires that you cite page numbers (when available) every time you borrow material.
(Ford, 17) for a quotation, paraphrase, or summary
For more information, see these research guides:
Note: all the sources used as examples above are fictitious.
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