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Writing can help improve your mental wellbeing!

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Writing can help improve your mental wellbeing!

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Citation is important in the field of writing! 

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Citation is important in the field of writing! 

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What is the difference between MLA and APA citation? Good question!

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Note: This article describes the 9th edition of MLA style and the 7th edition of APA Style. The APA 6th edition rules can be found here.

APA and MLA are two of the most commonly used citation styles.

APA Style Is defined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, currently in its 7th edition.

The rules of MLA style are found in the MLA Handbook, currently in its 9th edition (published by the Modern Language Association).

In both styles, a source citation consists of:

However, citations look slightly different in each style, with different rules for things like title capitalization, author names, and placement of the date.

There are also some differences in layout and formatting. Download the Word templates for a correctly formatted paper in either style.

APA template MLA template

Which style should I use?

You'll usually be told which citation style you should use in your writing by your department or supervisor. If you're not sure, look up your institution's guidelines or ask directly.

Occasionally, you may be allowed to choose a style yourself. If so, it's best to base your decision on your area of study:

APA is used primarily in the (social and behavioral) sciences and in fields related to education.

MLA is primarily used in humanities subjects such as languages, literary studies, and media studies.

In-text citations in APA and MLA

Both MLA and APA use parenthetical citations to cite sources in the text. However, they include slightly different information.

An APA in-text citation includes the author's last name and the publication year. If you're quoting or paraphrasing a specific passage, you also add a page number.

An MLA in-text citation includes the author's last name and a page number-no year.

When there are two authors, APA Style separates their names with an ampersand (&), while MLA uses "and." For three or more authors, both styles list the first author followed by " et al. "

APA

MLA

1 author

(Taylor, 2018, p. 23)

(Taylor 23)

2 authors

(Taylor & Kotler, 2018, p. 23)

(Taylor and Kotler 23)

3+ authors

(Taylor et al., 2018, p. 23)

(Taylor et al. 23)

APA reference list vs. MLA Works Cited list

In both APA and MLA style, you list full details of all cited sources on a separate page at the end of your paper. In APA this is usually called the reference list; in MLA it's called the Works Cited.

The formatting of source entries is different in each style. Some key differences are summarized in the table below.

APA

MLA

Author name

Last name, Initial.

Mounier-Kuhn, P.

Last name, First name.

Mounier-Kuhn, Pierre.

Capitalization of source title

Sentence case (but capitalize after a colon): Sapiens: A brief history of humankind

Title case: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Formatting of titles

No formatting for chapters, articles, etc.; italics for books, journals, etc.:

Computer science in French universities: Early entrants and latecomers. Information & Culture: A Journal of History

Quotation marks for chapters, articles, etc.; italics for books, journals, etc.:

"Computer Science in French Universities: Early Entrants and Latecomers." Information & Culture: A Journal of History

Publication date

In parentheses after the author's name:

Mounier-Kuhn, P. (2012). ...

Later in the reference, not in parentheses:

... vol. 47, no. 4, 2012, ...

URLs & DOIs

No period after the URL or DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7560/IC47402

Period after the URL or DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7560/IC47402.

Using the interactive tool, you can switch between APA and MLA style citations for common source types to explore the differences for yourself.

You can automatically create your in-text citations and references in either style using the free Scribbr Citation Generator.

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr

APA vs. MLA paper formatting

The general formatting guidelines for APA and MLA are similar. Both styles recommend:

12 pt Times New Roman font

Double spacing

1 inch (2.54 cm) margins

The main differences between APA format and MLA format involve the title page, running head, and block quoting guidelines.

Title page and header

In APA, a separate cover page is required. It lists the title of your paper, your full name, your institution and department, the course the paper is for, your instructor's name, and the due date, all centered and double-spaced.

In MLA, no title page is required (though your instructor may require you to include one). Instead of a title page, you add a four-line header on the first page.

The header is left-aligned and double-spaced and lists your full name, your instructor's name, the course title or number, and the submission date. The paper's title is centered on a new line under the header.

Running head

In APA Style, include a right-aligned page number at the top of each page.

In manuscripts that will be submitted for publication, you should also include an APA running head with a shortened version of your paper's title (up to 50 characters long), all in capitals and left-aligned.

The running head is not required in student papers (unless you're instructed otherwise).

In MLA, your last name and the page number appear as a running head at the top of every page, both right-aligned.

Block quote formatting

Block quotes are long quotations that are set on a new line and indented as a block, without quotation marks.

In APA, any quote of 40 words or longer should be formatted as a block quote. In MLA, block quote formatting is used for quotes of more than four lines of prose or more than three lines of verse.

In both styles, the in-text citation is added after the period at the end of a block quote.

Frequently asked questions about citation styles

Which citation style should I use?

Check if your university or course guidelines specify which citation style to use. If the choice is left up to you, consider which style is most commonly used in your field.

Other more specialized styles exist for certain fields, such as Bluebook and OSCOLA for law.

The most important thing is to choose one style and use it consistently throughout your text.

Who uses APA Style?

APA format is widely used by professionals, researchers, and students in the social and behavioral sciences, including fields like education, psychology, and business.

Be sure to check the guidelines of your university or the journal you want to be published in to double-check which style you should be using.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the "Cite this Scribbr article" button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, August 23). APA vs MLA | The Key Differences in Format & Citation. Scribbr. Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/apa-vs-mla/

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APA vs. MLA | The Key Differences in Format & Citation

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Note: This article describes the 9th edition of MLA style and the 7th edition of APA Style. The APA 6th edition rules can be found here. APA and MLA are

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Just a step-by-step guide on how to write a research paper.

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This is a blog post that discusses how professional writers maintain their excellent writing skills.

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Three or four months ago I could have answered this question easily. I would get up in the morning and go downstairs. In the kitchen I'd be welcomed to the day by two excited labradors and one non-plussed cat, then the four of us would go outside and tend to the chickens and ducks before walking around the field; taking in big lungfuls of fresh morning air. Then I'd go inside, wave my children off to school before settling with my second cup of coffee at my desk. There I would write and work until lunch with a ten minute break somewhere in there to walk the dogs around the field again.

This routine was important. For me it's all about the stuff I do before a writing session. I've now moved house and no longer have the chickens and the ducks or a field to walk around. I still have the dogs and cat though but our morning routine has shifted slightly. It's thrown me a little and affected my writing.

I don't listen to music whilst I write, in fact I find that distracting. I need silence and a space of my own. The crucial thing for me is having a morning routine that I go through before the writing starts.

How do you approach a writing session with the right mindset?

The right mindset has evolved painfully slowly over the years. This is because I used to feel guilty about writing. Guilty because I wasn't emptying the dishwasher or cleaning the bathroom, guilty because it felt like an indulgence. I also used to feel like I was a pretender. I wasn't a real writer, this was something I was 'playing' at.

So changing this mindset was hard. I think social media helped a lot. I started talking and writing about my writing process on Instagram and my YouTube channel as well as my blog and found so many people could relate. In addition I started calling myself a writer, which, over time, made me act like a writer and I started to prioritise my work.

More recently I have focused on three goals. These goals are divided into projects and the projects divided into tasks. This means that every day I know what I'm doing and, if I have a break from writing for a while (like when we moved house) I come back and know what I'm doing. In fact, these goals and projects have changed everything for me. I know that every day, when I sit at my desk, I am working towards these goals.

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Six Writers Share Their Writing Routines And Mindset Tips. | Rosie O'Neill

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Six writers share their writing rituals and routines. Find inspiration for creating a writing routine you can really commit to from six inspiring women who make writing a part of their day. Use habits and routine to build a great writing mindset.

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Reasons why creative writing is a good skill to acquire!

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Reasons why creative writing is a good skill to acquire!

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Why should we learn creative writing? How does it help?

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Why learn creative writing? Truthfully, creative writing is one of the most misunderstood disciplines in the 21st century. When people think of a creative writing course, they often imagine a group of lofty, out-of-touch people who wear argyle sweater vests and have unproductive conversations about abstract concepts.

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth: the best writing classes remain engaged with the real world, and the skills gained in a creative writing course apply to nearly every facet of daily life.

If you're wondering whether it's worth picking up a course in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, we have five reasons to learn creative writing. But first, let's talk about what actually happens in a creative writing course.

The Basics of a Writing Workshop

Whether you're enrolled in a poetry, fiction, or nonfiction writing class, you can expect the following writing process - at least in a quality writing course like the ones at Writers.com.

Weekly prompts and writing exercises to sharpen the precision and necessity of each word you use.

Constructive critiques from a community of writers who are each growing their writing skills alongside you.

A creative space to explore new ideas, experiment with language, and arrange words in new and exciting ways.

Focused writing instruction from a master of the craft.

The benefits of creative writing come from engaging with the course material, the writing prompts, and the other class members. These elements help you become a better writer, both in creative realms and in everyday life. How? No matter what form of writing, a creative writing class pushes you to connect ideas and create effective narratives using the best words - and that skill translates into real world success.

Check Out Our Online Writing Courses!

The Benefits of Creative Writing

1. Why Learn Creative Writing: Improved Self-Expression

Improving your writing skills leads to stronger communication. When you practice finding the right word in a story or poem, you engage the same parts of your brain that are active in everyday writing and speaking. A creative writing course subconsciously turns you into a more effective communicator.

The importance of precise language and self-advocacy translates well into both interpersonal relationships and working environments. Take it from this expert on how writing and self-advocacy results in career and leadership success.

2. Why Learn Creative Writing: Job Success

This brings us to our next point: great writing leads to job success. Of course, your boss probably isn't expecting you to write emails in the form of a short story or a sonnet - though if they are expecting this, you have a pretty cool boss.

In reality, almost every job requires some sort of written work, whether that's simple written communication or something more elaborate, like publishing data or marketing materials. In a creative writing class, you practice the style and grammar rules necessary for effective writing, both within the realms of literature and in career-related writing. Sharpening your writing and creativity skills might just land you your next promotion.

3. Why Learn Creative Writing: Improved Thinking Skills

Strong writing leads to strong thinking. No matter what type of writing you pursue, learning how to write is another form of learning how to think.

That might seem like a bold claim, so think about it this way. Without language, our thoughts wouldn't have form. We might not need language to think "I'm hungry" or "I like cats," but when it comes to more abstract concepts, language is key. How would you think about things like justice, revenge, or equality without the words to express them?

When you hone in on your ability to find choice, specific words, and when you work on the skills of effective storytelling and rhetoric, you improve your ability to think in general. Good writing yields great thinking!

4. Why Learn Creative Writing: Empathy

Reading and writing both rely on empathy, especially when it comes to being an effective workshop participant. When we read and write stories, we situate ourselves in the shoes of other people; when we read and write poetry, we let language navigate us through emotion.

The importance of creative writing relies on empathy. We practice empathy whenever we listen to another person's life story, when someone tells us about their day, and when we sit down with a client or work partner. When we write, we practice the ability to listen as well as to speak, making us more effective communicators and more compassionate human beings.

5. Why Learn Creative Writing: It's Fun!

In case you're not convinced that a writing course is right for you, let's clarify one more fact: creative writing is fun. Whether you're in a fiction writing course, starting a memoir, crafting a poem, or writing for the silver screen, you're creating new worlds and characters. In the sandbox of literature, you're in control, and when you invest yourself into the craft of writing, something beautiful emerges.

The Importance of Creative Writing

Simply put, creative writing helps us preserve our humanity. What better medium to explore the human experience?

To learn creative writing, like any art form, requires compassion, contemplation, and curiosity. Writers preserve the world as they observe it in stories and poetry, and they imagine a better world by creating it in their works.

Through the decades, literature has explored society's profound changes. Literary eons like the Naturalist movement and the Beat poets responded to the increase in Western Industrialization. Confessional poets like Virginia Woolf helped transform poetry into a medium for emotional exploration and excavation. And, genre movements like the cyberpunk writers of science fiction helped popularize the idea of an "information economy."

Thus, the importance of creative writing lies in its ability to describe the world through an honest and unfiltered lens. Anyone who engages in creative writing, no matter the genre or style, helps us explore the human experience, share new ideas, and advocate for a better society. Whether you write your stories for yourself or share them with a wide audience, creative writing makes the world a better place.

Jobs for Creative Writers

Because creative writing isn't a STEM discipline, many people don't think that learning it will help their job prospects. Why learn creative writing if it doesn't make any money?

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Creative writing skills are much sought after on resumes, since both creativity and the ability to write are soft skills in decline. Additionally, if you're considering a career change-or ready to start one!-these are some popular jobs for creative writers.

Copywriter

Copywriters help companies put their branding into words. A copywriter might write emails, blogs, website content, or ad copy that encompasses the company's voice and purpose. Copywriting requires you to write in a mix of styles and forms, flexing your writing muscles in new and exciting ways.

Grant Writer

Nonprofits and research facilities rely on local and national grants to fund their projects. Grant writers help secure that funding, writing engaging grants that tell the organization's story in an engaging, tailored, and convincing way. Creative writers will enjoy the opportunity to tell a meaningful story and create positive community change through this career.

Communications/Public Relations Specialist

A communications specialist helps drive a company's image through various social channels. They may help create a positive narrative for their company through blogs, journalist outreach, social media, and other public-facing avenues. Much like copywriting, a PR specialist helps weave an effective story for a company.

Novelist

The dream job for many writers is to write and sell books. Being a novelist is an admirable career choice-and also requires the most work. Not only do you have to write your stories, but you also have to market yourself in the literary industry and maintain a social presence so that publishers and readers actually read your work. It's a tough business, but also incredibly rewarding!

Reasons to Learn Creative Writing: Finding a Writing Community

Finally, creative writing communities make the writing struggle worth it. The relationships you foster with other creative writers can last a lifetime, as no other group of people has the same appreciation for the written word. Creative writing communities create transformative experiences and encourage growth in your writing; if there's one reason to study creative writing craft, it's the friendships you make in the process.

You don't need a class to start writing, but it's never a waste of time to learn the tools of the trade. Creative writing requires the skills that can help you in everyday life, and a creative writing course can help.

At Writers.com, we believe that creative writing can transform both individual lives and the world at large. See the importance of creative writing for yourself: check out what makes our creative writing courses different , then take a look at our upcoming course calendar today.

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Why Learn Creative Writing? 5 Reasons to Study the Craft | Writers.com

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Learning creative writing is fun, nurtures useful skills, and can even be healing. Here are five good reasons to learn creative writing.

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This video is extremely helpful in helping to define and create a thesis statement!

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How to write an effective THESIS STATEMENT for research paper

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Another video that helps differentiate logos, ethos, and pathos.

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Another video that helps differentiate logos, ethos, and pathos.

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I enjoyed learning how to write a argumentative essay using these three elements.

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The Three Persuasive Appeals: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos

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We share our research through our writing. Creative writing is everywhere!

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We share our research through our writing. Creative writing is everywhere!

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Research is imperative for creative writing. 

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Research is imperative for creative writing. 

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This article discusses why research is critical when creating a book, paper, etc.

I hope to use research as I continue my journey as a writer.

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Writing is a very personal activity. Everyone will have their own research process and every genre will have its own research requirements. Regardless, there are three stages of background research for most creative writing projects.

1. General Research

When first starting a project, you might know the general area that you're interested in, but not specifically what aspect of that project you want to explore. Liz was interested in the role of women in WWII. However, that's a really broad subject. Starting with general research allows you to explore exactly which aspects you want to write about.

Here are a few general research techniques:

Do a keyword search for the topic at your local library and read as many books as possible on the subject.

If possible, interview people with personal knowledge on the subject, you might find something in their stories to inspire you.

Watch documentaries, go to museums, and explore every facet of the subject area.

2. Focused Research

Once you have narrowed down your topic, then you're ready for focused research. In Liz's case, she decided to focus specifically on the 1942 Dieppe Raid. Here are a few of the ways to focus your research.

Read every book available on the topic, including any personal accounts and compilations.

Read archival news articles on the event.

Explore national and regional archives, both online and (if possible) in person.

3. Double Check Details

Once you start to write you'll probably need help with developing authentic scenes and providing details. In general, I always believe that it's best to keep writing whenever inspiration hits you, so just mark any details that you want to double-check then do the research later.

The internet is amazing for helping with specific details.

Maps: Google maps are great. You can virtually "walk" down the street to see the stores that are there, etc. However, if you're not setting your book in the present, then you'll need to delve a little deeper. For example, the National Library of Scotland has WWI trench maps online. Other cities and regions also offer historical maps.

Clothes and technology : The internet is full of websites that are focused on a particular time period or piece of culture. You should be able to find out everything you need to know about fashion, culture, and technology.

: The Google Ngram Viewer is an amazing resource for historical writers. It searches books to determine the popularity and use of a particular word. You can even check the difference between British and American usage. Even if you don't need to check the usage of a particular word... it's still a pretty fun tool.

Google Alerts : Setting google alerts for your topic will let you know whenever anything new comes out. It allows you to keep up with the latest information, even after you've started writing.

: Save a record of all your sources, so you can go back and double-check if needed. Buy any books that you might want to refer to over and over again. If you're working off a website, you might want to save a screenshot, in case the website goes down. It's also important to save a list of sources so you can give credit in your acknowledgments section.

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The Importance of Research for Creative Writing

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Learn how to do research for creative writing projects. It is necessary whether you're writing a historical mystery or a sci-fi.

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This video helps to understand why and how we use semicolons.

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Research and creative writing. This video gives ideas and tips on how to gather accurate research for any writing.

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💯 √ Simple Tips for Better Stories #4/6 Research for Writing | Creative Writing