APA vs. MLA Format

Question: Discuss the basic difference between APA and MLA paper format, pros and cons of APA and MLA paper Format. Answer: Basic difference between APA and MLA paper format There are several factors which can highlight the several differences between the APA and MLA paper format. The primary difference between these two paper formats is the title page. In the MLA paper format the title page is optional where as in the APA paper format there has a title page always. The MLA paper format never has a heading, on the other hand in the APA paper format it usually has headings. For quotation marks, in MLA format paper writer prefer most of the time because it supports longer quotes. In MLA format writer can provide quotes longer than 4 lines with single spaced where as in APA paper format the writer can provide long quotation of 40 or more words with double spaced lines (Trimmer, 1998). In the MLA format the lines are double intended but in APA format it is intended five spaces from the left margin of the page. Running head is required in the APA format paper where as MLA format did not need any running head. In the MLA format paper it uses four line headers with title below on the other hand in the APA format paper title page with author note additionally in the second page of the paper there is one page abstract is required ("Cite right: a quick guide to citation styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the sciences, professions, and more", 2011). The MLA format basically focuses on the page layout, technique of the paper, style and the citing sources within the documents. On the other hand in the APA paper format it is basically focuses on the writing style, content organisation and the references within the whole documents. In the citation part of these two formats, dates come first in the MLA format where as in the APA format after the name then date comes. For an example, MLA format citation Armstrong, Michael and Michael Armstrong. Armstrong's Handbook Of Human Resource Management Practice. London: Kogan Page, 2009. Print. APA format citation Armstrong, M. Armstrong, M. (2009). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. London: Kogan Page. Pros and Cons of APA and MLA paper Format APA style Pros: APA style format helps the students and the writer to build a uniform presentation and it would follow the basic ideas of the document with much easier ways (Concise rules of APA style, 2005). APA style paper naturally organizes the contents for the writer and it improves the writing skill of the writer and the student. APA Style Cons: APA format is basically designed for the social science students so for writing different subject like humanities, liberal arts or history this format can be technically incorrect for the writer. MLA Style Pros: MLA paper format has fewer rules than the APA paper format. MLA format is very much popular and it is quite perfect for the essay style writing document (The MLA style sheet, 1970). MLA style Cons: The biggest flaws of this paper format are the citing issues. In MLA citation there are too many rules which can be time consuming. The MLA paper is mainly planned for extended writing. References Cite right: a quick guide to citation styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the sciences, professions, and more. (2011). Choice Reviews Online, 49(02), 49-0597-49-0597. https://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.49-0597 Concise rules of APA style. (2005). Washington, DC. The MLA style sheet. (1970). [New York]. Trimmer, J. (1998). The essentials of MLA style. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co.