What's the difference between APA and MLA citation styles?
Answer
For more information, checkout our Citations Guide
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 (2018) 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),
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).
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Works Cited
Armstrong, Mark T. "Twitter-Induced Language Change Reconsidered." Journal of Language
Change, vol. 2, no. 1, 2020, pp. 20-28. ProQuest Research Library, 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.
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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