A referencing style is a set of rules that explain how to give credit to the ideas and works of others in a specific way. Referencing is important in academic writing to avoid plagiarism and is necessary for assignments and research.
One common mistake students make is mixing up citation styles because they can seem similar. Our expert writers of assignment help online services are here to help clear up any confusion.
Harvard Referencing Style
The Harvard citation format was created by Harvard University to help students in writing their papers. This style is explanatory and helps students, scholars, and writers include the ideas and findings of others into their work. It’s one of the most popular referencing styles.
MLA Referencing Style
The MLA referencing style format was developed by the Modern Languages Association and is widely used in academic writing. Like Harvard, MLA format is comprehensive.
Usage of Both Referencing Styles
Both Harvard and MLA referencing styles are used by students in various courses. Students in humanities or behavioral, natural, or social sciences typically use the Harvard referencing style for their documents.
While the MLA referencing style is common in humanities, it focuses more on documenting subjects in the arts category. Students of literature or culture often use MLA format for their assignments.
Difference Between Their Formats
Each referencing style follows a specific format. While there are similarities between them, there are also minor differences that make all the difference.
For example, when using the Harvard format, you include an abstract or brief summary of your paper, along with a full list of resources on the bibliography page.
The MLA style has its own unique format. Papers referenced in MLA style typically don’t have a separate title page, and the full list of works used is not included in the bibliography section. Instead, they are listed under references.
Difference Between Their Citation of Visual Aids
Harvard formatting has specific rules for citing figures, tables, and visual aids, making it clear when referencing any document. For example, when using data from an external source, it’s mandatory to mention the source.
In contrast, MLA style does not have specific citation rules for visual aids. So, it’s not compulsory to mention resources in the same way.
These are the significant differences between Harvard and MLA styles. While they may seem similar, they have their own guidelines that set them apart from each other and from other citation styles like APA, Chicago, and Vancouver.
