Writing a well-researched and grammatically polished essay can be a challenging task, but thanks to modern technology, we now have access to a variety of essay checker apps that promise to streamline the editing process. These tools not only help identify grammatical errors and awkward phrasing but also claim to assist with citation formatting in academic styles like APA and MLA. However, in many cases, users have reported improper citation formatting upon exporting or finalizing their documents. Broken or malformed citations can have real consequences in academic and professional contexts, from grade penalties to accusations of plagiarism.
TLDR (Too long, didn’t read):
While essay checker apps are great for grammar and style, they often mishandle citation formats during export, especially in APA and MLA styles. This article outlines the top five offenders, explains what went wrong, and gives you straightforward fixes for restoring citation accuracy. Whether you’re a student or a professional researcher, understanding these quirks can save you from academic missteps. Read on to ensure your references don’t sabotage your hard work.
1. Grammarly: Great on Grammar, Sloppy on Citations
Problem: Grammarly is well-loved for its real-time grammar correction, but users often find that it distorts citation formatting during document exports, especially when using its Premium Citation Assistant.
- APA citations get their italicization removed or applied in the wrong places.
- MLA citations often come out as plain text with inconsistent indentation.
Fix: The easiest way to restore formatting is to use Grammarly’s Copy Text with Formatting feature sparingly. Instead, make final citation changes using a dedicated citation tool like Citation Machine after export. Alternatively, reformat references in a word processor using style guides directly.
2. Quillbot: Rewriter First, Citation Second
Problem: Quillbot’s strength lies in paraphrasing and flow enhancement. However, many users find that the tool unintentionally removes citation brackets or punctuation when paraphrasing content that includes APA or MLA in-text citations.
- APA in-text citations like (Smith, 2020) often turn into, “according to Smith 2020.”
- MLA parenthetical citations are sometimes dropped altogether or converted inaccurately.
Fix: Avoid placing citations inside the text you’re paraphrasing with Quillbot. Instead, paraphrase first, then reinsert citations manually. A quick CTRL+F search for author names can help you identify where a citation was altered or removed.
3. ProWritingAid: Full Reports, But Fragmented References
Problem: ProWritingAid is fantastic for style-specific editing and in-depth reports. However, its document export feature often modifies spacing and indentation, which is essential for both APA’s hanging indent and MLA’s uniform formatting structure.
- Line spacing shifts from double to single spaced during exports.
- Hanging indents for APA references are lost, turning citations into blocky text.
Fix: Use ProWritingAid solely as a content checker and bypass the export function. Instead, transfer your corrected content back into Word or Google Docs for final formatting. Most word processors offer style-specific templates for APA and MLA to help correct spacing and indentation.
4. Scribbr: Expert Checks, but Meta-Data Misfires
Problem: Scribbr provides fantastic feedback through its community of academic editors, but when incorporating citations via its Citation Generator, users notice that moving between browser tabs or exporting citations can strip vital metadata like author names, titles, or DOIs.
- APA references lose digital object identifiers (DOIs), impacting validity.
- MLA book titles are sometimes exported without italics.
Fix: Always double-check the “preview” version of citations before clicking export. Use a consistent, manual method of checking your bibliography section using online APA/MLA guides like those from Purdue OWL. Re-adding metadata manually is often faster than trying to troubleshoot exports later.
5. Hemingway Editor: Minimalist Style With Maximum Format Loss
Problem: Hemingway is designed for readability, not academia, which becomes obvious when citations are involved. Users who paste formatted references into Hemingway often find that formatting like italics, hanging indents, and line breaks is stripped without warning.
- APA and MLA formatting is flattened to plain text upon pasting or exporting.
- Citation order may also be rearranged because Hemingway eliminates perceived redundancies.
Fix: Use Hemingway solely as a style and tone assistant for your content. Conduct citation formatting as the final step in a program that supports rich text formatting (e.g., Microsoft Word). Keeping a copy of your unformatted references in a separate file can save you from reformatting from scratch.
Final Tips for Restoring Citation Integrity
If you’ve already run your document through one or more of these apps and are seeing citation issues, here are universal fixes that apply regardless of the checker used:
- Use Style Templates: Most word processors like Word and Google Docs offer APA and MLA templates. Use these to restore formatting effortlessly.
- Manual Formatting: Familiarize yourself with key formatting traits:
- APA: Double-spacing, hanging indent, italicized titles, DOI inclusion.
- MLA: Author-page citations, double-spacing, centered titles, uniform margin.
- Utilize Online Tools: Websites like BibMe or EasyBib help check for style correctness and completeness.
Conclusion
In the pursuit of clean, compelling prose, many writers rely on essay checker apps to polish their work. While these tools serve an essential function in content development, they often fall short when it comes to preserving the integrity of citation formatting upon export. As you’ve seen, each app offers great features but also presents unique challenges that can derail an otherwise excellent paper if not addressed.
Fortunately, restoring APA and MLA reference formatting is not particularly difficult once you understand where the weaknesses lie in each tool and how to counteract them. Use citation tools as a complement—not a substitute—for your knowledge of citation rules. Investing just a bit of time to review and fix references manually can make all the difference between a borderline grade and an exceptional one.
Remember: Citations don’t just credit your sources—they represent your diligence. Treat them with care.