
If you’re quoting or paraphrasing a specific passage, you also add a page number.Īn MLA in-text citation includes the author’s last name and a page number-no year. However, they include slightly different information.Īn APA in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the publication year.

Occasionally, you may be allowed to choose a style yourself. If you’re not sure, look up your institution’s guidelines or ask directly. You’ll usually be told which citation style you should use in your writing by your department or supervisor. Frequently asked questions about citation styles.Download the Word templates for a correctly formatted paper in either style. There are also some differences in layout and formatting. However, citations look slightly different in each style, with different rules for things like title capitalization, author names, and placement of the date. A full reference at the end of the paper.A brief parenthetical citation in the text.In both styles, a source citation consists of: The rules of MLA style are found in the MLA Handbook, currently in its 9th edition (published by the Modern Language Association). The APA 6th edition rules can be found here.ĪPA and MLA are two of the most commonly used citation styles.ĪPA Style Is defined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, currently in its 7th edition.


Note: This article describes the 9th edition of MLA style and the 7th edition of APA Style. Start citing APA vs MLA | The Key Differences in Format & Citation Generate accurate APA, MLA, and Chicago citations for free with Scribbr's Citation Generator.
