Online College
Education Network |
OCEN
- A Guide to Online College Courses Education : : Future : : Career : : Life : : Knowledge : : Experience |
|
|
MLA Writing Style vs APA Writing StyleMLA Writing Style vs APA Writing Style by Alexandria Haber My paper is due! Which writing style should I use? It happens to quite a few people in the wee hours of the morning just before assignments are due. Quotes are checked, sources verified, word limit exceeded, then, one comes to a screeching halt, “Papers should be formatted according to the MLA or APA style”. And so begins a frenzied computer research on the two writing styles. MLA writing style The MLA (Modern Language Association) requires that specific rules be followed for formatting manuscripts. It provides writers with a proper system to cite references, the usage of which enhances the writer’s credibility by listing outside sources in order to give recognition where it is due. One advantage of the MLA format is that it provides the user protection from possible accusation of plagiarism. General Guidelines for MLA writing
style
For a more detailed look at the rules regarding end notes, in-text citations or works cited (multiple authors, electronic sources, periodicals, etc.), there are resources available online and in print that will aid you with this writing style. Some excellent print titles for reference material are: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th edition), and MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (2nd edition). For those who have internet access, all MLA writing style rules can be found on a site built by the people at Owl at Purdue. At all times, it is equally important to strictly follow your professor’s instructions on the use of long titles, the need to emphasize with underlines or italics and other personal choices. Careful attention must be paid to every detail so as to prevent loss of marks in the grading process. APA writing style APA (American Psychological Association) is a writing style that is generally used within the realm of the social sciences. As in the case of the MLA writing style, the APA has a list of general format guidelines as well as a list of rules pertaining to paragraph structure. General Guidelines for APA writing style All essays written in the APA writing style should be structured in accordance to the following guidelines:
For a more detailed look at the rules of the APA writing style regarding references, in text citations, and footnotes or endnotes, please see Owl at Purdue.
About the Author:
|