What is easier to use, APA or MLA format?
What is easier to use, APA or MLA format?
Blog Article
It depends on your familiarity with each style and the type of writing you're doing. Here's a comparison:
Ease of Use Comparison:
Citations & References
- MLA (Modern Language Association) is often considered simpler for beginners. It uses in-text citations with just the author's last name and page number (e.g., Smith 23).
- APA (American Psychological Association) includes the author’s last name and year (Smith, 2020, p. 23), which requires keeping track of publication years.
Reference List vs. Works Cited
- MLA calls it "Works Cited" and is generally simpler in formatting.
- APA calls it "References" and has more complex rules for journal articles, DOI formatting, and italicization.
Title Page & Headings
- MLA does not require a research title page (unless instructed), while APA has a structured title page and section headings.
- APA uses specific heading levels for organization, which can be more structured but also more complex.