Citation Styles (MLA, APA)

What are Citation Styles?

When conducting research, it is crucial to give credit to the original sources of information you use. At Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), we adhere to approved citation styles to ensure that students follow standardized methods for citing sources in their academic work. This helps maintain academic integrity and allows readers to trace the origin of ideas, fostering credibility in your writing.

Two primary citation styles used at FTCC are APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association). Each of these styles serves different academic disciplines and has specific formatting rules.

1. APA is commonly used in fields like social sciences, education, and business, where focus is placed on the currency of research. APA emphasizes the publication date in in-text citations and reference lists, making it easier to track the timeliness of the work.
2. MLA is favored in the humanities, such as literature and the arts, and prioritizes the authorship and text itself. In MLA, the author’s name and page number are the primary details highlighted in in-text citations.

By consistently using one of these approved citation styles, you demonstrate professionalism and adherence to academic standards in your work. Understanding when and how to use each style is key to succeeding in your research and writing projects at FTCC.