MLA vs APA

When I read the articles for MLA and APA, I found a few similarities and differences. Both formats are good to use but should be used for different styles of writing.

The differences:

• The in-text citations in APA require more than MLA (MLA requires author's last name and the page number; APA requires the author's last name and year separated by a comma)
• The sources page has different titles. MLA calls it "Works Cited" and APA calls it "References"
• APA has a title page and MLA does not.
• MLA requires a header at the beginning of the first page, then a centered title at the beginning of the essay.
• APA has an abstract page and first level headings for body paragraphs.

The similarities:

• 12-pt. font and 1" margins.
• Both styles are double spaced.
• They both have citation pages.
• They both list the citations in alphabetical order.
• Both require in-text citations