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- Jared L
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APA vs MLA Format: What You Need to Know Before You Write
Odds are that you have already interacted with either APA, MLA, or both. The APA vs MLA debate is common in scholarly circles and your instructor may have advised you on which specific style to use in your assignments. These two are the primary citation formats used in most educational institutions, especially in the United States.
In this article, we will explore the origins of APA and MLA citation style differences, their differences, when to use each, and how to apply them correctly.
Whichever citation style your instructor advises you to use, your ability to pay attention to formatting details can separate a good paper from a great one. Therefore, let us focus on:
- What APA and MLA citation styles are
- Key differences between APA and MLA
- When to use MLA or APA
- Mistakes to avoid
- Helpful tools for formatting
After gaining these insights, our custom assignment writing service seeks to ensure you are better equipped to identify the appropriate style for your paper and use it effectively.
APA and MLA Citation Styles Differences
MLA (Modern Language Association) was founded in 1883. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research papers is now in its 9th edition published in 2021. The Modern Language Association is responsible for developing and maintaining the MLA format.
APA (American Psychological Association) was founded in 1892. However, the first publication providing instructions on APA was released in 1929 (Schwartz et al., 2014). The latest edition of APA style guide is the 7th edition introduced in 2020. The American Psychological Association develops and maintains the APA style.
What Is APA Style?
What Is MLA Style?
The APA style is the citation format primarily used in social sciences, such as:
- Psychology
- Economics
- Business
- Education
- Social work
- Nursing and health sciences
In using APA, emphasis is on clarity, objectivity, and current research. These are vital to scientific and data-driven papers.
MLA citation style is the standard for humanities disciplines, such as:
- English and other literary studies
- Philosophy
- Art History
- Cultural Studies
- Languages and Linguistics
In using MLA, emphasis is on authorship and textual analysis. It is ideal for literary critiques, essays, and theoretical discussions.
Key Features of APA and MLA
Key Features of APA Style (7th Edition)
- Author-Date in-text citations – (Albert, 2023)
- Title page required – Includes paper title, author, institution, and running head
- Abstract – A 150-250-word summary for research papers
- Running head – Running head not required for student papers
- Page numbers – Page number in the top-right corner
- References page – Lists all sources alphabetically
- Focus on publication date – Highlights recent research
Key Features of MLA Style (9th Edition)
- Author-Page in-text citations – (Albert 45)
- No Title Page (Unless Required) – Name, instructor, course, and date on the first page
- No abstract needed – Rarely required in humanities papers
- Running head: Upper right corner of the page with last name, space, and page number
- Works Cited page – Detailed bibliographic entries
- Emphasis on author and source title – Helps trace original texts
Key Differences Between APA and MLA
Feature | APA Style | MLA Style |
Disciplines | Social Sciences | Humanities |
In-Text Citations | (Author, Year) | (Author Page) |
Title Page | Required | Not required (unless specified) |
Abstract | Required for research papers | Rarely used |
Final Citations Page | “References” | “Works Cited” |
Header | Page number | Last name + page number |
Citation Focus | Emphasizes publication date | Emphasizes authorship and page numbers |
In-Text Citations
Basic Paraphrase: (Albert, 2024)
Direct Quote: (Albert, 2024, p. 45) or (Albert, 2024, pp. 45-46). If there are no page numbers, use a paragraph number (e.g., para. 5), a heading, or a shortened heading.
Two Authors: (Abel & Evans, 2024) for every citation.
Three or More Authors: (Dell et al., 2025) for the first and all subsequent citations.
No Author: Use the first few words of the title in quotation marks (or italics if the title is italicized in the reference list) and the year: (“Examining Adult L2 Learning,” 2025).
Organizational Author: (American Psychological Association, 2020). Abbreviated if well-known and clear after first full mention (e.g., [APA], 2025).
Basic: (Albert 37). The author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information is found.
Author Mentioned in Text: If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is needed in parentheses: Albert states that “…” (37).
Multiple Authors: For two authors: (Alex and Bell 97). For three or more authors: (Zanet et al. 54).
No Author: Use a shortened version of the work’s title (italicized for a book, in quotation marks for an article) and the page number: (“Adult L2 Learning” 12).
Block Quotes: If quotations exceed four lines of prose or three lines of poetry, indent the entire quote 0.5 inches from the left margin. Don’t put quotation marks. The parenthetical citation comes after the period.
Title Page and Header Formatting
APA: Includes a page number in the header, paper title, author, institution, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, and the due date.
Figure 1: Sample Student’s Title Page Following APA 7th ed.
MLA: No separate title page (unless requested). The first page contaains the author’s name, instructor, course, and date in the top-left corner.
Figure 2: Sample Student’s Title Page Following MLA 9th ed.
Section Headings
APA provides a clear hierarchy for up to five levels of headings, but MLA is less prescriptive than APA. MLA suggests keeping section headings simple.
For APA, the five heading levels should be as follows:
- Level 1: Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading
- Level 2: Flush Left, Bold, Title Case Heading
- Level 3: Flush Left, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading
- Level 4: Indented, Bold, Title Case Heading, ending with a period. Text begins after the period.
- Level 5: Indented, Bold Italic, Title Case Heading, ending with a period. Text begins after the period.
For MLA:
If used for longer papers, section headings should be kept simple (e.g., numbered: 1. Introduction; or formatted with bolding or italics consistently).
Citations Page
For APA:
- The page starts on a new page titled “References” centered and bolded.
- References are listed alphabetically by the first author’s last name.
- All entries use a hanging indent with the first line flush left and the rest indented 0.5 inches.
- Use sentence case on the title and capitalize only the first word, the first word after a colon or em dash, and proper nouns.
- Invert all authors’ names (Last Name, F. M.). Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name for entries with multiple authors.
- Include digital object identifiers (DOIs) for all works that have them, formatted as a hyperlink. If an entry does not have a DOI, provide a URL for works found online.
For MLA:
- Paper starts on a new page with the title “Works Cited” centered at the top.
- Entries are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name (or title if there is no author).
- All entries use a hanging indent in a similar manner to APA.
- Titles have title case.
- First author’s last name listed first (Last Name, First Name) and the subsequent authors are listed as First Name Last Name.
- Include full URLs (without “http://” or “https://”) or DOIs and prioritize permalinks if available.
Reference Examples
APA Reference List Examples
- Journal Article with DOI: Adam, J. A., & Jack, S. (2024). The impact of information system on student engagement in tertiary institutions. Journal of Higher Educational, 11(3), 33-59. https://doi.org/10.1037/hed789
- Book: Johnson, L. N. (2025). Neuroscience and societal advancements: An Aboriginal population perspective. Cambridge University Press.
- Edited Book Chapter: Simpson, P. (2024). Indigenous knowledge systems and behaviors in climate change adaptation. In B. C. Key & D. K. McConnell (Eds.), American responses to climate and environmental challenges (pp. 48-75). Rockwood Scholars Publishing.
- Webpage with an Individual Author: Wallace, M. (2025, January 10). Sustainable urban planning in Chile. Eastern Urban Forum. https://www.euf.org/articles/sustainable-urban-planning
- Webpage with an Organizational Author: World Health Organization. (2024, March 10). Global health observatory data repository. https://www.who.int/data/gho
MLA Works Cited List Examples
- Book by a Single Author: Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
- Article in a Scholarly Journal (from a database with a DOI): Gonzalez, Jennifer. “Reimagining Classroom Assessment in the Digital Age.” Journal of Educational Research, vol. 114, no. 3, 2023, pp. 210–225.
JSTOR, doi:10.1080/00220671.2023.1234567. - Work in an Anthology or Collection: Chopin, Kate. “The Story of an Hour.” The Norton Introduction to Literature, edited by Kelly J. Mays, W.W. Norton & Company, 2019, pp. 335–338.
- Webpage with an Individual Author: Ramos, Sophia. “How Urban Farming Is Changing Cities.” City Innovations, Urban Growth Network, 5 Sept. 2023, www.cityinnovations.org/urban-farming. Accessed 15 May 2025. (Access date is optional but can be helpful for websites that change frequently).
- Webpage with No Author: “Exploring the Deep Ocean.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 10 Jan. 2024, www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/exploring-deep-ocean.
- Film or Video: Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios, 2018.
When to Use APA vs MLA
Use APA Style If You’re Writing:
- Psychology or sociology research
- Scientific studies with recent data
- Business or nursing reports
- Papers requiring an abstract
- Assignments requesting APA format
Use MLA Style If You’re Writing:
- Assignments asking for MLA format
- Literary analysis or book reviews
- Philosophy or art history essays
- Humanities-based research
- Papers focusing on textual interpretation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing APA and MLA styles in the same paper.
- Incorrect in-text citations (e.g., using MLA format in an APA paper).
- Assuming citation generators are perfect.
- Forgetting APA’s running head or MLA’s header format.
- Using outdated editions (APA 7th & MLA 9th are current).
- Improper Works Cited/References formatting (double-check guidelines).
Helpful Tools and Resources for APA & MLA
- Official Guides:
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. (This is the definitive guide).
- MLA Handbook (9th Edition). New York: The Modern Language Association of America. (The authoritative source for MLA).
2. University Writing Centers
3. Official websites and blogs
- APA Style website (apastyle.apa.org)
- MLA Style Center (style.mla.org)
4. Online Writing Labs (OWLs)
- Purdue OWL (Purdue University Online Writing Lab)
5. Citation Management Software
*The tools are fallible. Always double-check the accuracy of citations they generate.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
The choice between APA vs MLA depends on your subject and academic discipline:
- APA = Sciences, research-heavy papers, data-driven studies.
- MLA = Humanities, literature, essays, and textual analysis.
Always check your assignment guidelines or ask your instructor if unsure. Proper citation ensures academic integrity and strengthens your credibility as a writer.
Mastering the nuances of APA or MLA citation is a fundamental skill in academic and professional life. It safeguards from plagiarism, demonstrates meticulousness as a researcher, enhances credibility, and allows effective participation in the scholarly conversation.
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Jared L.
Jared is a writer at ScholarlyWritings.com and has helped thousands of students learn how to craft original essays. He is an expert in different essay formats. He spends most of his time writing essays and research papers.
Sources
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Modern Language Association of America. (2021). MLA handbook (9th ed.). The Modern Language Association of America.
Modern Language Association. (n.d.). MLA history. https://www.mla.org/About-Us/About-the-MLA/MLA-Archives/Time-Lines/MLA-History
Purdue Owl. (2021). MLA formatting and style guide. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
Schwartz, B. M., Landrum, R. E., & Gurung, R. A. (2014). An easy guide to APA style. SAGE Publications.