Important Differences Between Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association

Modern Language Association

MLA stands for Modern Language Association, which is a professional organization in the United States for scholars and teachers of language and literature. MLA also refers to a specific citation style developed by this organization that is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies.

In MLA style, writers use in-text citations to indicate where they found their information, and include a Works Cited page at the end of their paper that lists all the sources they used. In-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found (e.g. “According to Smith (27)…”).

The Works Cited page should be formatted with hanging indents and alphabetical order by the author’s last name. The basic format for a book citation in MLA style is:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Date.

MLA style also provides guidelines for formatting papers, including margins, font size, and spacing. These guidelines help ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing.

MLA style provides a uniform and consistent way for scholars and researchers in the humanities to document their sources and present their research work.

Examples of MLA

Here are some examples of MLA citations for different types of sources:

1. Book:

Smith, John. The Art of Writing. Penguin Books, 2010.

2. Journal article:

Johnson, Mary. “The Role of Art in Society.” The Journal of Arts and Society, vol. 7, no. 2, 2016, pp. 25-34.

3. Website:

Kandel, Eric. “The History of Neuroscience.” The Dana Foundation, 10 June 2019.

In-text citations would be included in the body of the paper, and would look something like this:

• (Smith 42)
• (Johnson 29)
• (Kandel)

The Works Cited page would include the full citation for each source, arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name.

Remember to follow the specific guidelines for MLA style as outlined by your instructor or the assignment instructions.

Forms of MLA

There is only one MLA style, but it has been updated over the years to reflect changes in the way information is presented and accessed. The most recent edition of the MLA Handbook is the 8th edition, which was published in 2016.

The 8th edition of MLA style includes some notable changes from previous editions, such as:

1. In-text citations no longer require the inclusion of the publication medium (e.g. print, web), as it is assumed that most sources are now accessed digitally.
2. URLs are no longer required in Works Cited entries, unless the source is difficult to find or access without the URL.
3. When citing a source with multiple authors, only the first author’s name is listed, followed by “et al.”
4. The Works Cited page now emphasizes the concept of “containers,” or the larger works that contain the source being cited (e.g. a journal article within a larger journal issue).

Characteristics of MLA

Here are some key characteristics of MLA style:

• In-text citations: MLA style uses parenthetical in-text citations to indicate where information was found within the text. The in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the page number(s) of the source.
• Works Cited page: At the end of the paper, MLA style requires a list of all sources used in the paper. This list is called the Works Cited page, and it is organized alphabetically by the author’s last name.
• Formatting: MLA style provides specific guidelines for formatting papers, including margins, font size, and spacing. These guidelines help ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing.
• Author-page style: MLA style is known as an “author-page” citation style, meaning that the in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information was found.
• Humanities focus: MLA style is primarily used in the humanities, including literature, language, and cultural studies.
• Emphasis on clarity: MLA style emphasizes the importance of clear and concise writing, and encourages writers to use simple language to convey their ideas.

Elements of MLA

The following are some key elements of MLA style:

• Title page: MLA style does not require a separate title page. Instead, the author’s name, instructor’s name, course title, and date should be included in the upper left-hand corner of the first page.
• Header: The author’s last name and the page number should be included in the header of each page.
• In-text citations: In-text citations are used to indicate when an author has used someone else’s work or ideas. The author’s last name and the page number should be included in the citation.
• Works cited: The works cited page is a list of all sources cited in the paper. The list should be formatted according to MLA style guidelines, with the author’s name, title, publication information, and medium of publication included.
• Parenthetical citations: Parenthetical citations are used within the text to cite sources. The author’s last name and the page number should be included in the citation, enclosed in parentheses.
• Headings and subheadings: Headings and subheadings are used to organize the content of the paper. There are different levels of headings in MLA style, each with its own formatting guidelines.
• Formatting: MLA style has specific guidelines for formatting papers, including font size and type, margins, and line spacing.
• Writing style: MLA style encourages clear, concise writing that avoids bias and promotes objectivity. It also emphasizes the importance of using plain language and avoiding jargon.

American Psychological Association

APA style is a formatting style developed by the American Psychological Association, primarily used in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and economics. It provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and organizing research.

APA style is intended to help authors clearly and accurately communicate their research findings to their audience, and is widely used in academic and scientific writing. The latest edition of the APA Publication Manual is the 7th edition, which was published in 2019.

Examples of APA

Here are some examples of APA style:

1. In-text citation:

According to Smith (2021), “APA style is a widely used format for academic and scientific writing” (p. 12).

2. References page:

Smith, J. (2021). A beginner’s guide to APA style. Journal of Academic Writing, 4(2), 10-15.

3. Formatting:

All text should be double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. The font should be 12-point Times New Roman.

4. Author-date style:

One recent study found that the use of APA style increased the readability and clarity of academic writing (Johnson, 2020).

Types of APA

There is only one type of APA style, which is the official formatting and citation style of the American Psychological Association. However, the APA Publication Manual is regularly updated, with the most recent edition being the 7th edition, published in 2019. This latest edition includes updates to the guidelines for citing sources, formatting papers, and presenting research findings.

While there is only one type of APA style, there are different types of academic papers that may be written using APA style. Some common types of papers that use APA style include:

1. Research papers: These papers present the findings of original research, and are typically used in the social sciences.
2. Literature reviews: These papers provide an overview and analysis of existing research on a particular topic.
3. Case studies: These papers analyze a specific case or example, and may be used in fields such as psychology, sociology, and business.
4. Empirical studies: These papers report the results of experimental or observational studies, and are often used in psychology and other social sciences.

Characteristics of APA

Some key characteristics of APA style include:

• In-text citations: APA style uses in-text citations to indicate where information was found within the text. The in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the publication year of the source.
• References page: At the end of the paper, APA style requires a list of all sources used in the paper. This list is called the References page, and it is organized alphabetically by the author’s last name.
• Formatting: APA style provides specific guidelines for formatting papers, including margins, font size, and spacing. These guidelines help ensure consistency and clarity in academic writing.
• Author-date style: APA style is known as an “author-date” citation style, meaning that the in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the publication year of the source.
• Social science focus: APA style is primarily used in the social sciences, with a focus on clear and concise writing, and the presentation of research findings.

Elements of APA

The following are some key elements of APA style:

• Title page: The title page includes the title of the paper, the author’s name, and the author’s institutional affiliation.
• Abstract: The abstract is a brief summary of the paper, usually no more than 250 words. It should include the research question, the methods used, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn.
• Body of the paper: The body of the paper includes the introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections. These sections should be clearly labeled and formatted according to APA style guidelines.
• In-text citations: In-text citations are used to indicate when an author has used someone else’s work or ideas. The author’s last name and the publication year should be included in the citation.
• References: The references page is a list of all sources cited in the paper. The list should be formatted according to APA style guidelines, with the author’s name, publication year, title, and publication information included.
• Headings and Subheadings: Headings and subheadings are used to organize the content of the paper. There are five levels of headings in APA style, each with its own formatting guidelines.
• Formatting: APA style has specific guidelines for formatting papers, including font size and type, margins, and line spacing.
• Writing style: APA style encourages clear, concise writing that avoids bias and promotes objectivity. It also emphasizes the importance of using plain language and avoiding jargon.

Important Difference Between MLA and APA

Here’s a table comparing some of the important features and differences between MLA and APA styles:

Key Difference Between MLA and APA

Here are key differences between MLA and APA styles:

1. Disciplines: MLA style is commonly used in disciplines such as English, literature, and the humanities, while APA style is often used in disciplines such as psychology, education, and the social sciences.
2. In-text citations: MLA uses parenthetical citations that include the author’s last name and the page number, while APA uses parenthetical citations that include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
3. Capitalization: In MLA, the first letter of all major words in a title is capitalized, while in APA, only the first letter of the first word and any proper nouns are capitalized.
4. Quotations: MLA style uses double quotation marks for direct quotations and single quotation marks for quotes within quotes, while APA style uses double quotation marks for direct quotations and does not use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
5. Dates: MLA style spells out the full name of the month in the date, while APA style abbreviates the month and includes the year.
6. Page numbers: In MLA, the works cited page is numbered as a separate page from the rest of the paper, while in APA, the references page is included as part of the overall pagination of the paper.
7. Author names: In MLA, author names are listed as Last Name, First Name, while in APA, author names are listed as Last Name, First Initial.

Similarities Between MLA and APA

While there are some significant differences between MLA and APA styles, there are also some similarities, including:

1. Double-spaced text: Both MLA and APA styles require double-spaced text throughout the paper, including in the body of the text, in headings, and in the works cited or references page.
2. Use of parenthetical citations: Both styles use parenthetical citations within the text to indicate the source of information being used.
3. Use of hanging indents: Both styles use hanging indents for entries in the works cited or references page, where the first line of each entry is flush left and subsequent lines are indented.
4. Use of standard font and margins: Both styles require the use of standard fonts such as Times New Roman and Arial, and one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
5. Emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail: Both MLA and APA styles emphasize the importance of accuracy in citations and formatting, and both require attention to detail when citing sources and presenting information.

Conclusion Between MLA and APA

In conclusion, both MLA and APA styles are widely used for academic writing and research, with each style being preferred in different disciplines. While there are some significant differences between the two styles, including in-text citations, capitalization, and page numbering, there are also some similarities, including the use of double-spaced text, hanging indents, and standard fonts and margins. Both styles place a strong emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail, and it is important for writers to carefully follow the guidelines of the style they are using to ensure their work is presented in a clear, consistent, and professional manner.