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Professional formatting is an imperative requirement for every quality essay. Even the highest quality paper will not be well appreciated without proper formatting, and in order to properly format the work, it is necessary to conduct advanced academic research and understand the issue.
Formatting is considered one of the most critical and complex stages in the process of essay writing. Formatting is most often the reason why students seek expert essay help. Today we will try to understand the features of the foremost standard academic formats and help you choose the design that best suits your essay.
MLA Essay Format
The most common academic essay format is MLA. The complete form of MLA is the Modern Language Association. The Modern Language Association for the humanities field developed the MLA format. The humanities include languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and the arts.
There are three MLA citation format options:
- Parenthetical Citations (In-Text Citations): Parenthetical citations are also known as in-text citations. Parenthetical citations are brief citations found after a direct quote or a paraphrase. These citations include the last name of the author and the page number. The author’s last name and page number are placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence.
- MLA Works Cited Page: The MLA Works Cited Page lists all the sources you have used in your paper. The Works Cited Page is a separate page at the end of your article. The author’s last name alphabetizes on the Works Cited Page.
- MLA In-Text Citations for Print Sources with No Known Author: When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name. Place the shortened title in parentheses, and include the page number.
- Endnotes and Footnotes: Endnotes and footnotes are NOT required in MLA essay format. However, your instructor may require them. If so, you will need to include them on a separate page at the end of your paper.
APA Essay Format
The American Psychological Association format for research papers is the most commonly used style in the sciences. At the same time, it may seem tedious and time-consuming to format your paper in this style, but doing so ensures that your work will be consistent and easy to read for both yourself and your professor. In this article, we will go over the basics of setting up your paper using APA format.
An APA paper has four main sections: the title page, the abstract, the main body, and the references.
- Title Page: The title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and the name of your school. Additionally, the title page should have a running head, which is a shortened version of your paper’s title that is at most 50 characters long. The running head should be placed in your document’s header, along with the page number.
- Abstract: The abstract is a summary of your paper, typically ranging from 150-250 words. The abstract should give the reader a general overview of your paper, including your topic, research methods, and findings.
- Main Body: The main body of your paper is where you will present your arguments and evidence. Each main body section should begin with a clear and concise heading. After the heading, you should include two to three sentences that elaborate on the section’s topic. The remainder of the section should be dedicated to your evidence and analysis.
- References: The references section is where you will list all of the sources you used in your paper. This includes any books, articles, websites, or other materials you may have consulted. Each reference should be formatted using APA style.
There are a few general guidelines you should keep in mind when formatting your paper. First, your paper should be double-spaced. Second, all of your margins should be set to one inch. Third, your paper should be written in Times New Roman, with a font size of 12. Finally, each page of your essay should include a page number placed in the header.
While the APA format may seem daunting, following these simple guidelines will make the process much easier. By taking the time to format your paper correctly, you will be demonstrating your commitment to the scientific community.
MLA vs. APA Essay Format Comparison
MLA is the style most commonly used in English and other humanities classes, while APA is more common in the social sciences. MLA format is note-based, meaning everything is based on footnotes or endnotes. In MLA, there is also a Works Cited page at the end of the essay, which contains all of the sources used in the essay. On the other hand, the APA format is parenthetical, meaning that everything is based on in-text citations. There is also a References page at the end of the essay, which contains all of the sources used in the essay.
The two formats also differ in how they structure the essay itself. In MLA format, the essay is typically divided into three parts: the Introduction, the Body, and the Conclusion. In APA format, the essay is divided into four parts: the Title page, the Abstract, the Main Body, and the References page.
MLA format also requires that the paper be double-spaced, while APA format allows for single spacing. Regarding citation, MLA uses the author-page method, while APA uses the author-date method. Finally, MLA format generally requires that essays be written in Times New Roman, while APA format allows for various fonts.
