How to Choose the Right Essay Writing Style: APA, MLA, Chicago
Understanding Academic Writing Styles
When embarking on academic writing, one of the first decisions you’ll face is selecting the appropriate citation style. This choice isn’t arbitrary—it significantly impacts how your research is presented and evaluated. Different disciplines favor different formatting conventions, and understanding these distinctions is crucial for academic success.
The three major citation styles—APA, MLA, and Chicago—each serve specific academic communities and purposes. Your choice should align with your field of study, assignment requirements, and the nature of your sources.
What is a Citation Style?
A citation style is a standardized method of acknowledging sources in academic writing. These styles dictate everything from in-text citations to bibliography formatting, ensuring consistency and academic integrity.
Citation styles provide frameworks that:
- Give proper credit to original authors
- Help readers locate your sources
- Protect you from plagiarism accusations
- Establish credibility in academic discourse
APA Style: The Social Sciences Standard
When to Use APA Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) style is predominantly used in:
- Psychology
- Education
- Other social sciences
- Health sciences
- Some business fields
APA style was developed in 1929 to establish clear communication in scientific writing. Today, it’s in its 7th edition, having evolved to address digital sources and changing research practices.
Key Features of APA Style
APA style emphasizes currency of research, with particular attention to publication dates. This reflects the social sciences’ focus on evolving knowledge and up-to-date findings.
| Element | APA Format |
|---|---|
| In-text citation | (Author, Year, p. #) |
| Title page | Required, with running head |
| Abstract | Required (150-250 words) |
| Headers | Title case for section headings |
| Reference page | Titled “References” |
| DOIs | Required when available |
Sample APA Citation
Book:
Smith, J. D. (2020). Understanding research methods. Academic Press.
Journal article:
Johnson, A. B., & Williams, C. D. (2021). Analysis of citation patterns. Journal of Academic Writing, 15(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jaw.2021.15.2.123
MLA Style: The Humanities Choice
When to Use MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is the standard for:
- Literature
- Languages
- Arts
- Cultural studies
- Other humanities disciplines
Now in its 9th edition, MLA is designed to be straightforward and adaptable to various source types, including digital media.
Key Features of MLA Style
MLA places greater emphasis on authorship and page numbers rather than dates, reflecting the humanities’ focus on textual analysis and close reading.
| Element | MLA Format |
|---|---|
| In-text citation | (Author page#) |
| Title page | Not required unless specified |
| Header | Last name and page number |
| Works Cited | Alphabetized by author’s last name |
| Hanging indent | Required for bibliographic entries |
| Source medium | Often specified (e.g., “Print,” “Web”) |
Sample MLA Citation
Book:
Smith, John D. Understanding Research Methods. Academic Press, 2020.
Journal article:
Johnson, Anna B., and Christopher D. Williams. "Analysis of Citation Patterns." Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 15, no. 2, 2021, pp. 123-45.
Chicago Style: The Versatile Option
When to Use Chicago Style
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is favored in:
- History
- Fine arts
- Business
- Some social sciences
- Publishing industry
Chicago is unique in offering two documentation systems:
- Notes-Bibliography (NB): Uses footnotes/endnotes with a bibliography
- Author-Date (AD): Similar to APA with parenthetical citations
Key Features of Chicago Style
Chicago is known for its flexibility and comprehensive coverage of editorial practices beyond just citations.
| Feature | Notes-Bibliography | Author-Date |
|---|---|---|
| In-text citation | Superscript number¹ | (Author Year, Page#) |
| Notes | Footnotes or endnotes | None required |
| Bibliography | Required | References list required |
| Page numbers | Full page ranges in bibliography | Page numbers in citations |
| Ibid. | Used for repeated citations | N/A |
Sample Chicago Citation
Notes-Bibliography (Book):
1. John D. Smith, Understanding Research Methods (New York: Academic Press, 2020), 45-47.
Bibliography:
Smith, John D. Understanding Research Methods. New York: Academic Press, 2020.
Author-Date (Journal article):
(Johnson and Williams 2021, 130)
References:
Johnson, Anna B., and Christopher D. Williams. 2021. "Analysis of Citation Patterns." Journal of Academic Writing 15 (2): 123-45.
Comparing Citation Styles
Understanding the key differences between citation styles will help you make an informed choice:
| Feature | APA | MLA | Chicago (NB) | Chicago (AD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Date-focused | Author-focused | Source details | Date & author |
| In-text format | (Author, Year) | (Author Page#) | Footnote¹ | (Author Year) |
| Title capitalization | Sentence case | Title case | Title case | Title case |
| Bibliography name | References | Works Cited | Bibliography | References |
| Digital object identifiers | Required | Optional | Encouraged | Encouraged |
| Page numbers | p. 123 or pp. 123-145 | 123 or 123-45 | 123-45 | 123-45 |
How to Choose the Right Style for Your Essay
Consider Your Discipline
Your field of study is often the primary determinant:
- Social Sciences → APA
- Humanities → MLA
- History/Arts → Chicago Notes-Bibliography
- Some Scientific Fields → Chicago Author-Date
Check Assignment Requirements
Always verify your instructor’s preferences:
- Course syllabus
- Assignment sheet
- Department guidelines
- Program handbook
Consider Your Sources
Different styles handle various source types differently:
- Many digital sources → APA provides robust guidelines for websites, social media, and datasets
- Historical documents/archives → Chicago Notes-Bibliography accommodates unusual source types
- Literary works → MLA emphasizes text analysis and works well with literary criticism
Think About Reader Experience
Consider how your choice affects readability:
- Chicago’s footnotes keep citations out of the main text
- APA’s parenthetical citations highlight recency of research
- MLA’s simple citations minimize disruption to reading flow
FAQ: Common Questions About Citation Styles
Mixing styles creates inconsistency and suggests carelessness. Professors may deduct points for inconsistent formatting. Choose one style and apply it consistently throughout your paper.
Generally, no. Facts that can be found in numerous sources and are widely known (like “Paris is the capital of France”) don’t require citation. However, when in doubt, cite your source.
Each style handles multiple authors differently. APA uses “et al.” for three or more authors, MLA uses it for four or more, and Chicago varies based on whether you’re using notes-bibliography or author-date system.
A bibliography lists all works consulted during research, whether cited or not. A reference list (APA) or Works Cited page (MLA) includes only sources directly cited in your paper.
In APA, format as https://doi.org/xxxxx. MLA accepts either the https format or just doi:xxxxx. Chicago recommends the https format but accepts either.