Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
MLA (Modern Language Association)
* Focus: Primarily used in the humanities, especially for literature, language, and cultural studies.
* Emphasis: Focuses on the author and their works, using author-page citations within the text.
* Format: Typically uses a works cited list at the end of the paper, alphabetized by author's last name.
APA (American Psychological Association)
* Focus: Used in the social sciences, psychology, education, and business.
* Emphasis: Emphasizes the date of publication and uses author-date citations within the text.
* Format: Uses a reference list at the end of the paper, alphabetized by author's last name.
Chicago
* Focus: Widely used in the humanities and social sciences, especially for history, literature, and the arts.
* Emphasis: Offers two citation styles: Notes & Bibliography and Author-Date.
* Format: Uses either footnotes or endnotes for citations within the text and a bibliography at the end.
In Summary:
While these styles share some similarities, they differ significantly in their citation formats, structure, and focus. It's crucial to choose the style appropriate for your discipline and assignment.