Comments on: APA vs. MLA | The Key Differences in Format & Citation

By: Jack Caulfield

Jack Caulfield — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:49:09 +0000

Hi Maria,

APA style generally recommends including only sources closely linked to your paper, not additional sources used for background. In the 7th edition of the APA manual (p. 282), they instruct you to “include only the works that you used in the research for and preparation of your paper. […] A reference list cites works that specifically support the ideas, claims, and concepts in a paper.” It doesn’t specifically say never to include sources you don’t cite, but the general idea is to keep it focused. Not sure if that helps with your situation, but that’s the general guideline presented by APA.

By: Maria Joy Flick

Maria Joy Flick — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 00:49:34 +0000

I got a 15 point deduction from my instructor for APA having a reference I did not cite. I thought with APA you could reference even if you do not put in a direct quote or citation. Can you clarify? Is there any articles to clarify for my school appeal.

By: Shona McCombes

Shona McCombes — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:32:58 +0000

In reply to Mileah.

Hi Mileah,

It’s best to check with your professor directly, but I would guess that you simply need to submit an annotated bibliography with the title page, headers and references formatted in APA style.

By: Mileah

Mileah — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 07:21:32 +0000

If my college professor asked for an annotated bib in APA format, does that mean a full paper including an abstract, graph, and pie chart? Or do I just do a regular annotated bib but with the APA style. For example, just the title page and the correct margins and headers.