MLA and APA formats for papers

• MLA is for English papers. 
• APA is for Psych or medical papers, or for certain business formats.

MLA has a Works Cited page.

APA has a Reference page.

If you USE the source in the paper, list it. If not...DON'T list it.

MLA works cited page sources are NOT numbered.

APA bibliography page sources ARE numbered.

• In-text citations should back up an idea being explained or presented.

=========================

In-text formats (the easy way):

• Try to use as much of an intro for the source to lead into the quote itself. 

1. If an author's name is available, use it to emphasize the value of the source.
2. If the source itself is identifiable (book, magazine, web site), illustrate that too, along with the relevant info.
3. If ENOUGH "intro" is offered, that's fine. It should still match the Works Cited (or Bibliography) listing.

Example: 
In his online article "Inside the College Classroom," Mitchell Lopate, instructor at Brookdale Community College, illustrates several techniques for "the art of effective writing by any student who wants to improve his or her grade."

If NO intro is provided and the quote itself is made, put the author's name (IF AVAILABLE) AFTER the quote: 

     "College students need more work on research papers" (Lopate).

=========================

No author?
 but the article title is available?

Same as above, but put the 
article title in quotes AFTERWARD:

•     "College students need more work in research papers" ("Campus Writing").
• ----------------------------------------------

Is the source in a printed/hard copy format?

If it's in print, the page number itself follows the author, but NO comma between name and page #: 

• "College students need more work on research papers" (Lopate 13).

**APA is a bit different; this is where you use the comma if it's a print source:

    "College students need more work..." (Lopate, 13.)