๐ What is an MLA Works Cited Page?
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the humanities, such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. The 'Works Cited' page is a list of all the sources you directly cited in your paper. It appears at the end of your essay, providing full bibliographic information for each source so your readers can find them.
- ๐ It is placed at the end of your paper on a separate page.
- โ๏ธ Entries are alphabetized by the author's last name.
- โก๏ธ Uses a hanging indent: the first line of each entry is flush left, and subsequent lines are indented.
๐ What is an APA References Page?
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is primarily used in social sciences, such as psychology, education, and sociology. The 'References' page, similar to the 'Works Cited' page, lists all the sources you cited in your paper. It also provides detailed information so readers can locate and verify your sources.
- ๐ Also placed at the end of your paper on a separate page.
- ๐งฎ Entries are also alphabetized by the author's last name.
- ๐ Also uses a hanging indent.
๐ MLA vs. APA: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
MLA |
APA |
| Disciplines |
Humanities (Literature, Languages, Cultural Studies) |
Social Sciences (Psychology, Education, Sociology) |
| Page Title |
Works Cited |
References |
| Author Names |
Full first name is usually written out. |
Initials are used for first and middle names. |
| Publication Date |
Appears at the end of the entry. |
Appears immediately after the author's name. |
| Title Case |
Titles of books and articles: capitalize the first letter of all principal words. |
Titles of books: capitalize the first letter of all principal words; Titles of articles: only the first word, proper nouns, and the first word after a colon are capitalized. |
| Journal/Website Titles |
Italicized. |
Italicized. |
| DOI/URL |
Include permalinks where available. |
Include DOIs when available; otherwise, include URLs. |
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ก Know Your Field: Choose the style based on the field you're writing for.
- ๐ง Pay Attention to Details: Note the differences in date placement and capitalization.
- ๐ Consult Style Guides: Always refer to the official MLA or APA style manual for specific guidelines.