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Difference Between APA 7 and MLA Referencing Style
APA 7 and MLA: A Comprehensive Guide for Students
This comprehensive guide explores the fundamental differences between APA 7 and MLA referencing styles, covering everything from in-text citations to reference page formatting. Understanding these citation systems helps students produce properly formatted academic papers that meet disciplinary standards. Whether you’re writing in the sciences or humanities, mastering these styles is essential for academic success.
Choosing between APA 7 and MLA referencing styles can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at a blank document at 2 AM. You’re not alone. Thousands of students across the United States and United Kingdom wrestle with this decision every semester, wondering why their psychology professor demands different formatting than their literature instructor.
Here’s the reality: citation styles aren’t arbitrary torture devices invented by academics. They’re specialized systems designed to serve different scholarly communities. Think of them as different languages—both communicate effectively, but each has its own grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about APA 7 (American Psychological Association, 7th edition) and MLA (Modern Language Association, 9th edition). Whether you’re crafting your first college essay or finishing your senior thesis, you’ll walk away knowing exactly which style to use and how to apply it correctly.
Understanding APA 7 Referencing Style
What is APA Format Used For?
APA format is the gold standard for social sciences, behavioral sciences, and education. The American Psychological Association developed this style specifically for psychology, education, and sciences. When you’re writing about human behavior, conducting experiments, or analyzing data, you’re likely working in APA territory.
The American Psychological Association published the first edition of its style manual in 1929. They created it to establish consistency in scientific communication. Today, APA 7—released in October 2019—represents the most current version, introducing significant updates to digital source citations and student paper formatting.
Who Uses APA 7 Style?
Students and professionals in these fields typically use APA:
- Psychology and psychiatry
- Sociology and social work
- Nursing and healthcare
- Business and economics
- Education and special education
- Criminal justice
- Communications studies
APA Style is used in the social sciences, where research focuses on empirical studies, data analysis, and current findings. The emphasis on publication dates in citations reflects this—recent research matters enormously in fields where knowledge evolves rapidly.
If you’re pursuing degrees in these areas at institutions like UCLA, University of Michigan, or anywhere across the UK, you’ll become intimately familiar with APA formatting. Need help mastering scientific writing? Check out resources on science homework guide.
Key Features of APA 7
APA 7 introduced several game-changing updates:
Author-Date Citation System: APA uses the author-date citation style for in-text references. You’ll write (Smith, 2023) rather than (Smith 45).
Simplified Formatting: The 7th edition eliminated location information for publishers and introduced more flexible guidelines for student papers versus professional manuscripts.
Digital Source Handling: Updated rules for DOIs, URLs, and social media citations reflect our digital research landscape.
Inclusive Language: New guidelines emphasize person-first language and appropriate terminology when discussing identity, disability, and demographic characteristics.
Headings Hierarchy: Five levels of headings provide clear structure for complex research papers.
The American Psychological Association maintains extensive online resources at apastyle.apa.org, offering tutorials, sample papers, and frequently asked questions.
Need help with your assignment or schoolwork? Explore our comprehensive guides and connect with experienced tutors who can provide personalized support for your academic success.
Understanding MLA Referencing Style
What is MLA Format Used For?
MLA format belongs to the humanities. Modern Language Association style is used by the Humanities, encompassing literature, languages, philosophy, religion, and the arts. When you’re analyzing Shakespeare, critiquing postmodern fiction, or exploring Renaissance art, you’re working in MLA’s domain.
The Modern Language Association, founded in 1883, developed this style to serve scholars studying language, literature, and culture. MLA 9, published in 2021, represents the current edition, emphasizing core citation elements that work across all source types.
Who Uses MLA Style?
These disciplines typically require MLA formatting:
- English and comparative literature
- Foreign languages and linguistics
- Film studies and media criticism
- Philosophy and religious studies
- Art history and visual culture
- Cultural studies
- Theater and performance studies
MLA is used in the humanities, where analysis focuses on texts, interpretations, and arguments rather than empirical data. Page numbers matter more than publication dates—you need to direct readers to specific passages for close reading and textual analysis.
Students at institutions like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and liberal arts colleges across the United States encounter MLA formatting throughout their humanities coursework. Struggling with literary analysis? Resources on analyzing classic novels can help strengthen your skills.
Key Features of MLA 9
MLA 9 revolutionized citation with its “core elements” approach:
Author-Page Citation System: MLA uses the author-page number style for in-text citations. You’ll write (Smith 45) rather than (Smith, 2023).
Flexible Container System: Sources are organized into “containers”—the larger works that hold your specific source. A journal article sits in a journal container, which might sit in a database container.
Simplified Citation Elements: Nine core elements (author, title, container, contributors, version, number, publisher, date, location) can be adapted to any source type.
Emphasis on Accessibility: Guidelines for citing diverse media types—from tweets to TikTok videos—acknowledge how scholarship now incorporates digital and multimedia sources.
Works Cited Focus: Papers written in MLA format will have a Works Cited page, listing only sources actually referenced in your paper.
The Modern Language Association provides comprehensive guidance through the MLA Handbook and their online style center at style.mla.org.
Major Formatting Differences Between APA 7 and MLA
Title Page and Cover Page Requirements
Does MLA Require a Title Page?
No. In APA, a separate cover page is required, but MLA takes a minimalist approach. Instead of a title page, MLA papers begin with a heading in the top left corner of the first page:
- Your name
- Instructor’s name
- Course name
- Date (in day-month-year format: 14 October 2025)
The title appears centered on the line below this heading, using standard capitalization (not bold, italicized, or underlined).
How Does APA 7 Format the Title Page?
APA 7 requires a dedicated title page containing:
- Paper title (bold, centered, positioned in the upper half of the page)
- Author name
- Institutional affiliation
- Course number and name
- Instructor name
- Assignment due date
For professional papers submitted for publication, additional elements like author notes and running heads appear. Student papers, however, follow simplified formatting introduced in the 7th edition.
Running Head Differences
APA 7 eliminated the “Running head:” label for student papers, though professional manuscripts still include abbreviated titles in page headers. MLA requires only your last name and page number in the header—no running head needed.
This distinction reflects different priorities. APA’s running head originated in print journal formatting, helping identify articles if pages separated. MLA’s simpler header serves classroom submissions where such identification isn’t necessary.
In-Text Citation Differences
What is the Difference Between APA and MLA In-Text Citations?
The philosophical difference is profound: MLA uses the author-page number style for in-text citations, while APA uses the author-date citation style.
APA In-Text Citations:
APA emphasizes when research was conducted. This makes sense for sciences where currency matters:
- Single author: (Johnson, 2023)
- Quote with page: (Johnson, 2023, p. 45)
- Two authors: (Johnson & Smith, 2023)
- Three or more authors: (Johnson et al., 2023)
The publication year immediately signals whether you’re citing cutting-edge research or dated findings.
MLA In-Text Citations:
MLA emphasizes where information appears. This serves textual analysis where you need to guide readers to specific passages:
- Single author: (Johnson 45)
- Two authors: (Johnson and Smith 45)
- Three or more authors: (Johnson et al. 45)
- No page numbers available: (Johnson)
Notice MLA uses “and” while APA uses “&” between authors. Small detail, big impact on your grade.
Author-Date vs Author-Page Format
Why these different approaches? Scientific fields value recent discoveries. A psychology study from 2023 likely supersedes findings from 2003. Dates help readers assess relevance immediately.
Humanities scholarship accumulates differently. Shakespeare criticism from 1985 might remain valuable alongside analysis from 2023. What matters is directing readers to specific lines or passages for verification and deeper engagement.
Reference List vs Works Cited Page
What is the Difference Between References and Works Cited?
The APA citation page will be labeled References, while papers written in MLA format will have a Works Cited page. Beyond naming conventions, these pages follow different organizational principles.
APA References Page:
In APA, the heading for this list is “References”. This page includes every source cited in your paper, alphabetized by authors’ last names:
Author name format: For APA, provide only the initial of the author’s first name
- Example: Johnson, M. K.
Publication date: Appears in parentheses immediately after the author
- Example: Johnson, M. K. (2023).
Title formatting: Only the first word of titles and proper nouns are capitalized; article and chapter titles are not in quotation marks
- Example: The effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance
Hanging indent: The first line is not indented, but all subsequent lines are indented by half an inch
MLA Works Cited Page:
For MLA, the heading is “Works Cited”. This page also appears at the end of your paper, alphabetized by author:
Author name format: Full first and last names are provided
- Example: Johnson, Michael Kelly
Publication date: Appears near the end of the citation
- Example: …Publisher, 2023.
Title formatting: Articles and chapters appear in quotation marks; books and journals are italicized; major words are capitalized
- Example: “The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Academic Performance”
Hanging indent: Same as APA—the first line is not indented, but all subsequent lines are indented by half an inch
Alphabetization Rules
Both styles organize sources alphabetically by the first element in each citation (usually the author’s last name). For APA and MLA organize your sources alphabetically by the first letter of the author’s last name.
However, they handle multiple works by the same author differently. APA arranges them chronologically (oldest to newest), then alphabetically if published in the same year. MLA lists them alphabetically by title, replacing the author’s name with three hyphens (—) for subsequent entries.
Students preparing thesis writing or dissertation writing projects should carefully verify their department’s preferred style, as graduate programs often have specific requirements.
Related Questions About APA and MLA Basics
Can I use both APA and MLA in the same paper?
Never mix citation styles within a single document. Consistency is paramount in academic writing. Choose one style based on your instructor’s requirements or disciplinary norms and apply it uniformly throughout your paper. Mixing styles signals sloppiness and can result in grade penalties.
Do I need to cite common knowledge?
Yes and no. Information that’s widely known and easily verifiable across multiple sources typically doesn’t require citation. However, when in doubt, cite it. The penalty for unnecessary citation is zero; the penalty for plagiarism is severe. If you learned something new while researching, cite the source where you found it.
What if my instructor asks for something different than standard APA or MLA?
Instructor preferences trump style manual guidelines. If your professor provides a syllabus or assignment sheet with specific formatting requirements that deviate from APA or MLA standards, follow those instructions. Academic writing isn’t about rigid adherence to abstract rules—it’s about communicating effectively within your specific scholarly community.
Need help with your assignment or schoolwork? Explore our comprehensive guides and connect with experienced tutors who can provide personalized support for your academic success.
Specific Citation Elements
How to Cite Books in APA 7 vs MLA
Books represent the foundation of academic citation, yet formatting them correctly trips up countless students. The differences between APA 7 and MLA book citations reveal each style’s underlying philosophy.
APA 7 Book Citation Format:
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book: Subtitle (Edition). Publisher.
Example:
Morrison, T. (2019). The bluest eye. Vintage International.
Notice APA includes only author initials, places the year prominently after the author, uses sentence case for titles (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized), and italicizes the book title. The 7th edition eliminated location information (no more “New York, NY:”), streamlining citations.
MLA Book Citation Format:
Author First Name Last Name. Title of Book: Subtitle. Publisher, Year.
Example:
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Vintage International, 2019.
MLA spells out full author names, places the date at the end, uses title case (capitalizing all major words), and italicizes book titles. The punctuation differs too—commas separate elements in MLA while periods dominate APA.
Publisher Information Differences
Both styles now require only the publisher name, dropping parent companies and imprint details. However, APA uses a period after the publisher, while MLA uses a comma before the year.
For books with editors rather than authors, APA adds “(Ed.)” or “(Eds.)” after the name, while MLA writes “editor” or “editors” spelled out. Students working on research assignments should note these subtle distinctions that impact grades.
Date Formatting in Book Citations
APA prioritizes the date, placing it immediately after the author in parentheses. This author-date system allows readers to assess source currency instantly—critical for sciences where recent research supersedes older findings.
MLA positions dates last because humanities scholars value texts across time periods. A Victorian novel from 1850 matters as much as contemporary criticism from 2024. The date provides bibliographic completeness without suggesting temporal hierarchy.
Journal and Article Citations
Periodical Formatting Differences
Academic journals follow distinct patterns in each style, reflecting different scholarly communication priorities.
APA Journal Article Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume(issue), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example:
Johnson, M., & Williams, K. (2023). Sleep deprivation and academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(3), 412-428. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000789
MLA Journal Article Format:
Author First Name Last Name. “Title of Article.” Title of Periodical, vol. number, no. issue number, Year, page range.
Example:
Johnson, Michael, and Karen Williams. “Sleep Deprivation and Academic Performance.” Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 115, no. 3, 2023, pp. 412-428.
Notice article titles appear in quotation marks in MLA but without quotation marks in APA. Journal titles are italicized in both styles, but volume numbers receive different treatment.
DOI and URL Usage
The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) revolutionized academic citation. APA 7 requires DOIs when available, presenting them as full URLs (https://doi.org/xxxxx) rather than the older doi:xxxxx format. No period follows the DOI.
MLA 9 also includes DOIs when available, but presents them differently:
Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 115, no. 3, 2023, pp. 412-428, doi:10.1037/edu0000789.
When DOIs aren’t available, both styles accept URLs. APA doesn’t require access dates for online sources, while MLA includes them only when the source lacks a publication date or could change over time (like wikis).
Volume and Issue Numbers
APA italicizes volume numbers but not issue numbers, presenting them as: 115(3)
MLA spells out “volume” and “number,” with no italics: vol. 115, no. 3
These formatting choices seem arbitrary until you consider functionality. APA’s compact format saves space in print journals, while MLA’s spelled-out version provides clarity for readers less familiar with periodical conventions. Students tackling biology coursework or other science subjects will encounter APA’s streamlined approach frequently.
Website and Online Sources Citations
How to Cite Websites in APA vs MLA
Digital sources present unique challenges. Both styles have evolved to accommodate websites, social media, and multimedia content.
APA Website Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL
Example:
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, March 15). Teen depression. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression
MLA Website Format:
Author First Name Last Name. “Title of Webpage.” Website Name, Publisher, Day Month Year, URL.
Example:
National Institute of Mental Health. “Teen Depression.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 15 Mar. 2023, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression.
Access Date Requirements
APA eliminated access dates in most cases—they’re included only when content changes frequently (like social media posts or wiki entries). MLA also made access dates optional, including them primarily for undated sources or unstable content.
This shift acknowledges that most professional websites maintain stable content. Including access dates for every source cluttered citations without adding value.
URL Formatting
APA presents full URLs without angle brackets, omitting “Retrieved from” language unless a retrieval date is necessary. MLA uses “www” addresses when possible (dropping “http://” or “https://”) but includes the full URL when the www version doesn’t work.
Neither style requires hyperlinked URLs in printed papers, though they may appear blue if you’re submitting electronically.
Related Questions About Citations
How do I cite sources with no author?
When no author is listed, both styles move the title to the author position. APA uses the first few words of the title in in-text citations (“Title of Article,” 2023), while MLA uses the complete title or shortened version (Title of Article).
What about citing images or videos?
APA and MLA have expanded to accommodate multimedia. For images, include the creator, date, title, and location (museum or URL). For videos, cite them like other sources, including the uploader, date, title, and platform URL. Streaming services like Netflix receive similar treatment.
Do I cite content from social media?
Yes. Both styles provide formats for tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram, and other platforms. Include the author’s real name (if known) or username, date, text of post (up to the first 20 words), and URL. Social media citations reflect our evolving information landscape.
Structural and Visual Differences
Font and Spacing Requirements
Font Requirements:
Both APA 7 and MLA recommend readable, accessible fonts:
APA accepts:
- 11-point Calibri
- 11-point Arial
- 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
- 12-point Times New Roman
- 11-point Georgia
MLA requires:
- Readable font (typically 12-point Times New Roman)
- Consistent throughout the paper
APA 7 expanded font choices, recognizing that sans-serif fonts (like Calibri and Arial) improve screen readability. MLA maintains traditional preferences but accepts any legible font.
Spacing:
Both styles require double-spacing throughout the entire document—no exceptions. This includes the title page (APA), the reference list, block quotations, and every paragraph. Single-spacing appears nowhere in academic papers using these styles.
Double-spacing serves practical purposes: it improves readability, allows room for instructor comments, and maintains professional academic standards.
Margins and Indentation
Margins:
Standard one-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right) apply to both styles. Don’t adjust margins to make papers longer or shorter—instructors notice immediately.
Paragraph Indentation:
Both styles require indenting the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (one tab press). Don’t add extra space between paragraphs. Block quotations receive special indentation treatment.
Hanging Indents:
Reference lists (APA) and Works Cited pages (MLA) use hanging indents—the first line aligns with the left margin while subsequent lines indent 0.5 inches. This format helps readers quickly scan alphabetized entries.
Most word processors can format hanging indents automatically through paragraph settings. Learning this function saves time when compiling citations for term papers or longer projects.
Page Numbers and Headers
Page Number Placement:
APA: Page numbers appear in the top right corner of every page, including the title page. Student papers in APA 7 no longer require running heads unless specifically requested.
MLA: Your last name and page number appear in the top right corner of every page, starting with the first page. Format: Smith 1, Smith 2, etc.
Headers:
APA professional papers include a running head (abbreviated title in all caps) in the header, but student papers typically omit this unless instructors require it.
MLA requires only the author’s last name and page number—no title, no date, no course information in the header.
These differences serve practical purposes. APA’s running head originated for journal publication, helping organize manuscript pages. MLA’s simpler approach suits classroom submissions where elaborate headers are unnecessary.
Block Quotations Formatting
Long quotations receive special formatting in both styles, but the rules differ significantly.
APA Block Quotations:
Use block format for quotations of 40 words or more. Block quotations:
- Start on a new line
- Indent 0.5 inches from the left margin
- Maintain double-spacing
- Include no quotation marks
- Place the citation after the final punctuation
Example: The study revealed significant findings: Sleep deprivation significantly impaired cognitive function across all measured domains. Participants showed decreased attention spans, slower reaction times, and impaired decision-making abilities. These effects persisted even after brief sleep recovery periods. (Johnson & Williams, 2023, p. 415)
MLA Block Quotations:
Use block format for quotations of more than four lines of prose or more than three lines of verse. Block quotations:
- Start on a new line
- Indent 0.5 inches from the left margin
- Maintain double-spacing
- Include no quotation marks
- Place the citation after the final punctuation
Example: Morrison describes the devastating impact: The damage done was total. She spent her days, her tendril, sap-green days, walking up and down, up and down, her head jerking to the beat of a drummer so distant only she could hear. Elbows bent, hands on shoulders, she flailed her arms like a bird in an eternal, grotesquely futile effort to fly. (Morrison 204)
Notice the citation placement differs. APA includes “p.” before page numbers in block quotes; MLA uses only the number.
When to Use Each Style
Which Disciplines Use APA?
APA is the standard for:
Social Sciences:
- Psychology and psychiatry
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Social work
- Criminology and criminal justice
Behavioral Sciences:
- Communication studies
- Linguistics (often)
- Education and special education
Health Sciences:
- Nursing
- Public health
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
Business and Economics:
- Business administration
- Management
- Marketing
- Economics (varies by institution)
The American Psychological Association developed this style to facilitate scientific communication. Fields emphasizing empirical research, data analysis, and current findings gravitate toward APA’s author-date system. Researchers need to quickly assess whether cited studies are recent or dated.
If you’re pursuing careers in healthcare, education, counseling, or social services, expect APA to dominate your academic writing. Universities like Stanford, UCLA, University of Texas, and UK institutions with strong social science programs typically require APA for relevant coursework.
Which Disciplines Use MLA?
MLA is the standard for:
Humanities:
- English and comparative literature
- Foreign languages (French, Spanish, German, etc.)
- Linguistics (sometimes)
- Philosophy
- Religious studies
Arts:
- Art history
- Film studies and media criticism
- Theater and performance studies
- Music history and criticism
Cultural Studies:
- Women’s and gender studies
- Ethnic and cultural studies
- Area studies (African, Asian, Latin American, etc.)
The Modern Language Association created this style to serve scholars analyzing texts, interpretations, and cultural artifacts. These fields prioritize close reading, textual evidence, and arguments rather than data-driven conclusions. Publication dates matter less than identifying specific passages for analysis.
If you’re majoring in literature, languages, or the arts at institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, or Cambridge, MLA will become your default citation style. Students working on creative writing projects or foreign language assignments should master MLA formatting early.
Can You Mix APA and MLA?
Absolutely not. Never mix citation styles within a single paper. Consistency is non-negotiable in academic writing.
Mixing styles signals one of three problems to instructors:
- You don’t understand the material well enough to follow directions
- You’re careless about details and quality control
- You patched together sections from different sources without proper revision
Any of these impressions damages your credibility as a writer and researcher.
If you’re working with interdisciplinary content that might draw from both APA and MLA fields, choose one style and stick with it throughout. Your instructor’s assignment guidelines should specify which to use. When guidelines don’t specify, ask. Don’t guess.
How Do Colleges Choose Citation Styles?
Departments typically adopt the style dominant in their discipline’s major journals and publications. Psychology professors require APA because Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Applied Psychology, and most psychology journals use APA. English professors require MLA because PMLA, American Literature, and humanities journals use MLA.
This isn’t arbitrary tradition—it’s professional preparation. When students submit work to undergraduate research conferences, prepare honors theses, or pursue graduate study, they’ll need these styles. Learning them now prepares you for scholarly communication in your field.
Some interdisciplinary programs give students choices, but most require consistency within individual papers. Graduate programs become more strict, often requiring specific citation styles for theses and dissertations.
Related Questions About Using Citation Styles
What if my professor has different rules than APA or MLA?
Always follow your professor’s specific instructions, even when they conflict with official style manuals. Instructors may have pedagogical reasons for modifications or may be accommodating particular course needs. Your job is to follow the assignment guidelines you’ve been given.
Do style differences affect my argument or content?
No. Citation styles are formatting conventions, not content requirements. The same research, analysis, and arguments can be presented in any citation style. Good writing, clear thinking, and solid evidence matter far more than which style you use.
Should I learn multiple citation styles?
Eventually, yes. Most educated professionals encounter different styles throughout their careers. However, master one style thoroughly before learning others. Understanding the logic behind one system makes learning additional styles easier. The principles transfer—only specific details change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Citation Errors in APA
Students make predictable mistakes when learning APA format. Awareness helps you avoid these pitfalls:
Mistake #1: Including Author First Names in Citations
APA uses only initials in reference lists and never includes first names in in-text citations. Writing (Johnson, Michael, 2023) marks you as an APA novice immediately.
Correct: (Johnson, 2023)
Incorrect: (Johnson, Michael, 2023) or (M. Johnson, 2023)
Mistake #2: Forgetting Commas in In-Text Citations
APA requires commas between elements in parenthetical citations. The pattern is: (Author, Year, p. XX).
Correct: (Johnson, 2023, p. 45)
Incorrect: (Johnson 2023 p. 45) or (Johnson 2023, 45)
Mistake #3: Capitalizing Titles Incorrectly
APA uses sentence case for article and book titles in references—only the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns are capitalized.
Correct: The effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
Incorrect: The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance
Mistake #4: Missing or Incorrect DOIs
When DOIs are available, APA 7 requires them. Present them as full URLs (https://doi.org/xxxxx) without periods afterward.
Correct: https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000789
Incorrect: doi:10.1037/edu0000789 or DOI: 10.1037/edu0000789.
Mistake #5: Using “and” Instead of “&”
In APA, use “and” in narrative citations but “&” in parenthetical citations.
Correct: Johnson and Williams (2023) found… OR (Johnson & Williams, 2023)
Incorrect: Johnson & Williams (2023) found… OR (Johnson and Williams, 2023)
Citation Errors in MLA
MLA has its own common pitfalls:
Mistake #1: Including Publication Dates in In-Text Citations
MLA uses author-page format. Never include dates in parenthetical citations.
Correct: (Morrison 45)
Incorrect: (Morrison, 2019, 45) or (Morrison 2019, 45)
Mistake #2: Forgetting Quotation Marks for Article Titles
In MLA Works Cited, article titles appear in quotation marks while book and journal titles are italicized.
Correct: “Sleep Deprivation and Academic Performance.” Journal of Educational Psychology
Incorrect: Sleep Deprivation and Academic Performance. Journal of Educational Psychology
Mistake #3: Incorrect Capitalization
MLA uses title case—capitalize all major words in titles.
Correct: The Bluest Eye
Incorrect: The bluest eye or The Bluest eye
Mistake #4: Including URLs Without Context
Don’t drop naked URLs into your Works Cited. They need complete citation information.
Correct: Author. “Title.” Website Name, Date, URL.
Incorrect: https://www.examplewebsite.com/article
Mistake #5: Confusing “et al.” Usage
Use “et al.” for three or more authors in MLA citations, but spell out all names in the Works Cited entry.
In-text: (Johnson et al. 45)
Works Cited: Johnson, Michael, Karen Williams, and David Chen.
Mistake #6: Comma Placement in In-Text Citations
No comma appears between the author and page number in MLA.
Correct: (Morrison 45)
Incorrect: (Morrison, 45)
How to Avoid Plagiarism
Plagiarism—using others’ ideas or words without attribution—represents the most serious academic offense. Both APA and MLA exist partly to help you avoid it.
What Constitutes Plagiarism:
- Copying text without quotation marks and citation
- Paraphrasing too closely without citation
- Using someone’s ideas without acknowledgment
- Submitting work written by someone else
- “Patchwriting”—piecing together various sources without proper synthesis
How to Cite Properly:
- Quote directly: Use quotation marks and cite when using exact words
- Paraphrase thoughtfully: Rewrite ideas in your own words and cite the source
- Summarize accurately: Condense main ideas in your language and cite
- Cite ideas: Even without direct quotes, cite where you learned information
- When in doubt, cite: Over-citing beats under-citing every time
Common Knowledge Exception:
Information that’s widely known and easily verifiable across multiple general sources typically doesn’t need citation. However, when you’re unsure whether something counts as common knowledge, cite it anyway.
Examples of common knowledge:
- The Earth orbits the Sun
- World War II ended in 1945
- Water freezes at 32°F/0°C
Examples requiring citation:
- Specific statistics or data
- Interpretations or arguments about events
- Specialized or technical information
- Anything you learned from a specific source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither style is inherently easier—they're different tools for different purposes. Your perception of difficulty often depends on which you learned first and which your major requires most frequently.
MLA might feel easier because:
- Simpler in-text citations (just author and page)
- No publication dates to track in citations
- More intuitive title capitalization
- Fewer abbreviations to remember
APA might feel easier because:
- More structured and formulaic
- Clear hierarchy for headings
- Abundant online examples
- More explicit rules for specific situations
The reality? Both become automatic with practice. Focus on mastering whichever your field requires. Students in psychology find APA natural; English majors think MLA is obvious. It's familiarity, not inherent simplicity.
UK universities use both APA and MLA, depending on the discipline—exactly like American institutions. The choice depends on your field of study, not your location.
UK social science programs at institutions like LSE, UCL, and Manchester use APA because psychology, sociology, and related fields follow international scholarly conventions.
UK humanities programs at Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh use MLA for literature, languages, and arts courses, aligning with international humanities scholarship.
Additionally, many UK universities use Harvard referencing (different from Harvard University's style preferences) or other British-specific variations. Always check your university's style guide or ask your module leader.
Using the wrong style typically results in point deductions, sometimes substantial ones. Severity depends on:
Instructor Expectations: Some professors deduct minimally for style errors, focusing primarily on content. Others—especially in upper-level courses—expect mastery and grade accordingly.
Assignment Type: A major research paper warrants stricter grading than a short response paper. Senior theses and capstone projects face the highest standards.
Consistency: Using the wrong style consistently shows you followed a system (even the wrong one). Mixing styles or using no recognizable format suggests you didn't try.
Department Standards: Graduate programs and honors colleges typically enforce citation requirements more strictly than introductory courses.
Potential Consequences:
- Lost points (typically 5-20% of the assignment grade)
- Requests for revision before grading
- Lower course grades if the pattern repeats
- Reduced recommendation letter quality
- Red flags for graduate school applications
Always check assignment sheets and syllabi for style requirements. When uncertain, ask. The two minutes spent clarifying expectations beats hours of revision after the fact.
Converting citations between styles requires careful attention to detail. While citation management tools can help, understanding the process prevents errors.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process:
- Change the title page: Add an APA cover page if converting from MLA
- Adjust in-text citations: Add dates, change page number format
- Retitle the bibliography: Change "Works Cited" to "References"
- Reformat author names: Convert full names to initials
- Move publication dates: Place them after authors
- Change title capitalization: Convert to sentence case
- Adjust punctuation: Replace MLA commas with APA periods
- Add DOIs: Include them for journal articles when available
- Update headings: Apply APA heading levels if used
- Check page headers: Add page numbers in correct format
Example Conversion:
MLA Works Cited Entry:
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Vintage International, 2019.
Converted to APA References Entry:
Morrison, T. (2019). The bluest eye. Vintage International.
Key Changes Made:
- Full name → Initials
- Title case → Sentence case
- Date moved to follow author
- Final period → Period after publisher
Using Citation Management Tools:
Software like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can automatically convert citations between styles. However, always manually verify conversions—tools make mistakes, especially with unusual source types.
Students managing multiple citations might benefit from homework software presentation and organization software</em></strong></a> to track sources efficiently.
Yes, indirectly. Citation errors typically cost 5-20% per assignment. In a course where papers constitute 60% of your grade, consistent citation problems could drop you from an A to a B or B to a C.
The Math:
Imagine a research paper worth 20% of your course grade. Citation errors cost you 10 points. That's 2 percentage points off your final course grade—potentially the difference between 92% (A-) and 90% (B+).
Multiply this across several assignments, and citation competency significantly impacts your GPA. For students aiming for graduate school, scholarships, or competitive programs, every percentage point matters.
The good news? Citation is learnable and improvable. Unlike writing talent or subject aptitude, citation mastery comes through practice and attention to detail. Students can find additional academic support through online affordable tutoring services
Official Resources:
For APA:
- APA Style website (apastyle.apa.org) - official guidance
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.)
- APA Style Blog - addresses specific questions
- Purdue OWL APA Guide - comprehensive free resource
For MLA:
- MLA Style Center (style.mla.org) - official guidance
- MLA Handbook (9th ed.)
- Purdue OWL MLA Guide - detailed examples
Citation Management Tools:
- Zotero - Free, open-source, excellent browser integration
- Mendeley - Free, PDF annotation features
- EndNote - Professional-grade, subscription-based
- EasyBib - Web-based, limited free version
- Citation Machine - Quick formatting tool
University Writing Centers:
Most colleges offer free citation help through writing centers. Tutors can review your references, explain confusing rules, and catch errors before submission. These services exist for exactly this purpose—use them.
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