Depending on what kind of paper you are writing determines which format you use. Your professor or teacher will also direct which format they want to see.

MLA :  Modern Language Association (of America). format used for essays that are focused one literary criticism

and/or analysis. APA : American Psychological Association

scholarly, scientific journal articles are written in this format

Works often are meant for publication

Academic Disciplines geared toward MLA*:

English Mass Communication

*

Academic Disciplines geared toward APA*:

Criminal Justice Education Engineering Psychology Most all Sciences

No each style has a handbook to use as reference.

You will focus on page formats, citing works, in text citations and general formats.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research

Papers. 6th ed. Publication Manual of

the American Psychological Association 5th ed.

Both can be found online or at a library