Difference Between Harvard and MLA Referencing Styles

Difference Between Harvard and MLA Referencing Styles - A Detailed Guide

Most students who are pursuing a college degree do not know the clear difference between Harvard and MLA referencing styles. It results in confusion and sometimes frustration when completing projects. If you are facing the same problem, then we are here to help you out. In this blog post, we will explain the key differences between Harvard and MLA referencing styles. Let’s start with their explanations.

What is Harvard Referencing Style?

Harvard referencing style, also known as the author-date system, is a common format used in universities. In the 1880s, it was invented by Harvard University, and now most universities accept this citation type to reference papers. The two main parts fall under this referencing style. First is in-text citation, which includes the author’s last name, the year of publication and the page number. Another is bibliography, which includes the full details of the sources used for the information.

By using this referencing style, students can give credit to researchers and increase their project's credibility. This is why it has become a popular way to reference papers.

Key Features of Harvard Referencing Style

Universities often want a standardised and consistent way to reference academic projects. By adopting a structured citation style, such as the Harvard referencing style, sources can be effectively cited. Below are some of its features that show why it is popular:

• Author Date Format: It requires putting the surname of the author along with the year of publication, which helps to identify the sources.
• Page Numbers: While using the Harvard referencing style, you need to add the page number to pinpoint the location of the information.
• Alphabetical Order: The referencing list is arranged in alphabetical order to make it easier to find any specific information.
• Full Details: Adding a reference list demonstrates the credibility of the information and helps to avoid plagiarism in the project.
• Tracing Sources: Including sources helps to verify the details and asses the impact of the study.

Examples of Harvard Referencing Style

To better understand how the Harvard referencing style works, it is required to look at real samples. In this section, we will help you explore some of the examples that demonstrate the citation style. You can see the samples by reading below:

Sample for Books

Smith, J. (2020). The Science of Learning. Oxford University Press

Harry, F. (2019). School of Physics. University Press of Cambridge

Sample for Websites

Brown, L. (2021). How to study effectively. StudyTime. Available at: https://studytime.com/effective (Accessed: 5 June 2025).

Sample for Journal Articles

Taylor, M. (2018). ‘Digital learning strategies in 21st-century classrooms’, Journal of Education and Technology, 15(3), pp. 112–130.

Sample for Ebooks

Peter, S. (2011). Global marketing, 5th ed. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Available at: https://www.vlebooks.com/Product/Index/1999706 [Accessed 4 September 2024]

What is MLA Referencing Style?

MLA, also known as the Modern Language Association, developed their referencing style in 1931 by Carleton Brown and Cyril Arthur. The purpose of this citation type is to provide a standardised way to cite sources for the humanities. By using this referencing style, students can avoid plagiarism and maintain the originality of the information.

Even though this citation type is relatively recent, it has become popular among universities. The reason is its consistency in citation, which helps students to make their projects credible and facilitates information depth. You can use this citation style to make your academic writing impactful.

Key Features of MLA Referencing Style

There are a large number of universities in the world that prefer the MLA referencing style in projects. The reason behind this is its structure, which provides a clear way to cite sources. Below are some of its features that make it stand out:

• In-Text Citations: It follows a structured way to cite sources, which includes the author’s last name and page number.
• Core Elements: Adding the required elements, such as title, author’s name, and relevant details, ensures information accuracy.
• Full References: By including the complete citation, it becomes easier for readers to get the full details about the information.
• Perfectly Arranged: Citations are done in alphabetical order, which helps to access specific details without any trouble.
• Location: Mentioning the online or offline location of the source enables readers to trace and verify the information used in the project.

Examples of MLA Referencing Style

On one side, where the Harvard referencing style focuses on prioritising the name first, the MLA uses the ‘Works Cited' entry. To understand its citation style, look at the samples mentioned below for different types of elements:

For Books

Smith, John. The Science of Learning. Oxford University Press, 2020.

For Websites

Brown, Lucy. How to Study Effectively. StudyTime, 2021, https://studytime.com/effective. Accessed 5 June 2025.

For Journal Articles

Taylor, Michael. Digital Learning Strategies in 21st-Century Classrooms. Journal of Education and Technology, vol. 15, no. 3, 2018, pp. 112–130.

For Ebooks

Martin, Harley. A Discovery of Witches: A Novel. E-book ed., Dolphin Books, 2013. Kindle.

How is Harvard Referencing Style Different from MLA?

After looking at both referencing styles and their features, you can get an idea of how they both work. Although it can be hard to comprehend how they differ, you can easily do so by looking at some points. Below we mentioned a list which can help you to understand the clear difference between Harvard and MLA referencing styles:

The table above shows a clear picture of how the Harvard referencing style is different from MLA. By understanding their key differences, you can ensure consistency in your academic writing. When talking about their importance, let’s explore it in more detail in the next section.

Importance of Using the Right Referencing Style

Having a clear idea about the referencing styles makes a huge difference in academic performance. You can not only increase your project’s credibility, but also improve performance. You can see some of the factors that show the importance of using the right referencing style:

• Maintains Academic Integrity: When you use the right referencing style, it directly impacts the credibility of the information. It shows that the information used is from extensive research and deep thinking.
• Supports Arguments: It is often required to demonstrate the research for college students. You can provide the evidence by using the right referencing style, which will help you to strengthen your statements.
• Shows Discipline-Specific Knowledge: A well-chosen style showcases how good your understanding of the topic or specific area is. It helps to improve your profile in front of professors.
• Improve Presentation: Despite the information, the way you present also makes a huge difference. With the right referencing style, you can enhance the quality of your project, which will persuade professors to award good grades.
• Fulfil College Guidelines: Universities have their specific guidelines about using references in projects. By having a clear idea about the referencing style, you can create projects that fulfil the guidelines.

After reading this, we hope you get a clear picture of why the right referencing style matters in academics. Students who are studying in the UK often have confusion about the referencing style used in the United Kingdom. So, without any delay, let’s cover it in the next section.

What Referencing Style do UK Universities Use?

When pursuing education in the UK, you should know that their guidelines especially reference styles. Although UK colleges give preferences to many referencing styles, the major one is the Harvard. This is because it provides a consistent way to cite sources, which easily demonstrates the matter of the information. If you look at the Harvard referencing style usages, it is primarily considered for social science, business studies and health subjects.

Even though the Harvard citation style is mostly used in UK universities, it doesn’t mean it is used in every subject. There are several areas of study where colleges prefer the MLA referencing style. It includes humanities subjects, English literature, language and cultural studies, etc. Both the Harvard and MLA referencing style have their importance. It depends on where you are using the referencing style. For the right academic citation style, it is recommended to carefully follow the guidelines of your university.

After exploring the difference between Harvard and MLA referencing styles, it's time to conclude this blog post.

Conclusion

Whether you are writing an assignment or an essay, correct referencing often plays an important role. After reading this blog post, we hope you understand the differences between Harvard and MLA referencing styles. With a proper understanding, you can avoid plagiarism, show knowledge and improve the credibility of the project.

Although knowing citation styles is crucial but the main problem occurs when using them in projects. Students often struggle with maintaining the flow and consistency of references, which affects the quality. If you are facing the same problem, we are here for you. At New Assignment Help, we have professional writers from top UK universities. They will assist you in writing quality projects while keeping the structure of the reference in mind. So if you do not want a referencing style poor your project quality, then seek our expert assistance today.

Author Bio

Sara James   5 years | Masters

Hey there, students! I'm Sara James, and I'm here to help you navigate the often-challenging world of academic writing. As someone who's pursued a master's in Humanities, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to craft an assignment that truly shines. With over 5 years of experience in the field, I can assure you of results that will make a real difference in your academic journey.