An Analysis of MLA and APA Citation Styles for Coursework

This assignment delves into the nuances of MLA and APA citation styles, highlighting key differences in their application. The author emphasizes that the MLA style is primarily used in literature, while APA is favored in social sciences. The core distinction lies in how sources are cited within the text and in the reference list. MLA focuses on the author's last name and page number (e.g., Adams 42), while APA includes the publication year alongside the author's name and page number (e.g., Adams, 1979, p. 42). The author expresses a preference for the APA format due to its perceived ease of use and plans to utilize it in future coursework. References to scholarly articles are included to support the analysis.

Running head: ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
English Assignment
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
MLA (Modern Language Association) style of referencing is mostly used to write
different letters and to cite different sources within the arts and the humanities. The APA
(American Psychological Association) style is mostly used in social sciences and as per the
6th edition the form differs in various ways like the in text citations and the reference page.
The differences in the APA and the MLA have almost same functions in the research
paper but some of the sources are acknowledged having different citations techniques
(Angell). At the end of the paper, the lists of the works are attached at the end of the paper
that refers to “works cited” in vase of the MLA and “References” in case of the APA. In case
of the MLA style, the author’s last name along with the page number is cited when a
quotation is used. Whereas in case of the APA, the citation includes the publication date
along with the authors last name and the page number (Thomson). An example of the MLA
format is (Adams 42) and in case of the APA, it is (Adams, 1979, p. 42).
The reason behind the differences between the APA and the MLA is that the later is
used mainly in literature papers and the former in the different science background academic
papers. This could be the sole reason for the inclusion of the year of publication with the page
number along with the author’s name.
I would like to use the APA format in my future as I am very confident using this
style and the different in text citations. The APA format is very easy to use and I would
prefer to use this for my future assignments.

2ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
References
Angell, Katelyn. "The application of reliability and validity measures to assess the
effectiveness of an undergraduate citation rubric." Behavioral & Social Sciences
Librarian 34.1 (2015): 2-15.
Thomson, Ashley. "Book Review: Teaching Information Literacy Reframed: 50+
Framework-Based Exercises for Creating Information-Literate Learners." Partnership: The
Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research 11.2 (2017).