MLA
The Modern Language Association is a group that has set the standard for academic writing in the humanities. Citations in MLA format take on a more simplistic approach. When viewing citations in MLA, they should answer the question of, "Who said this and where can I find it?".
In-text example: (Smith 55) --> (last name page number)
End of paper example: In MLA, source pages should be titled as 'Works Cited'.
Smith, A Year in my Life. Appletree Press, 1945. --> Author, Title. Container. Source Information.
For more information about MLA, we recommend consulting with the MLA Style Center.
APA
The American Psychological Association is a group that has developed the APA style mostly used for scholarly writing in social sciences. Citations in APA format take on a standard approach that should answer the question of, "Who said this and when did they say it?".
In-text example: (Smith, 1945) --> (last name, year)
End of paper example: In APA, source pages should be titled as 'References'.
Smith. (1945) A Year in my Life. Appletree Press. --> Author. (Date). Title. Source Information.
For more information about APA, we recommend consulting with the American Psychological Association.
Chicago
The Chicago Manual of Style was developed by the University of Chicago Press and is used by both humanities and social sciences and for academic books and journals. Chicago style citations are more detailed and should answer the question of, "Who said this and where did they say it?".
In-text example: When first introducing a source:
(John Smith, A Year in my Life (Appletree Press), 55.) --> (full name, title (publication information), page.) as footnote
After the source has been introduced:
(Smith, A Year in my Life, 55.) --> (last name, title, page.)
End of paper example: In Chicago, source pages should be titled as 'Bibliography'.
Smith. A Year in my Life. Washington: Appletree Press. --> Author. Title. Publication Information.
For more information about Chicago style in writing, we recommend visiting The Chicago Manual of Style.
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