Skip to Main Content

ChatGPT and Other Generative A.I.

This guide provides a starting place for CBC faculty, staff, and students to learn how generative AI intersects with information literacy and how to use it responsibly.

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Author: None

Title: Use the prompt you entered (in quotes) to generate the content followed by the word "prompt" (no quotes). 

Name of the AI Tool & Version: The name of the AI tool will be in italics, followed by a comma, and the version of the AI not in italics (examples: ChatGPT, version 3.5, or AutoDraw, May 2017 version, etc.). If you cannot find a version for the AI, just list the AI tool.

Publisher: Name of the Company who created the tool (OpenAI, Google, etc.).

Date: Give the date you used the AI tool to generate the content. Dates should be in MLA Format (example: 15 Oct. 2024)

URL: Give the general URL for the AI tool unless the AI provides a specific shareable link to the conversation/content (example: the tool DALL-E creates images and allows users to generate a publicly-available URL that leads back to that image).

 

  • In-text citation format: Content (“Description of AI prompt used”).
  • In-text citation example: According to ChatGPT, the sky is blue (“What color is the sky”).
    • Note: If the prompt used is too long for an in-text citation, add it as a parenthetical citation or a footnote.
  • Works cited format: Description of AI prompt used. AI tool name, version, company that made the tool, date, URL.
  • Works cited example: “What color is the sky” prompt. ChatGPT, version 3.5, OpenAI, 17 Aug. 2023, chat.openai.com.

Asking AI to Answer a Question or Prompt and Then Writing in Your Own Words (Paraphrasing)


You still need to give credit if you used material created from an AI tool, even if you put the information in your own words the same as you would paraphrasing from any source. 

Format: "The prompt you entered to generate the content" plus the word prompt. Name of AI Tool in Italics, Version, Publisher, Date, URL.

Example 1: "What are some age appropriate lessons to teach sharing to children age 3 to 5" prompt. Magic School AI, Oct. version, Magic School, 3 Oct. 2024, www.magicschool.ai.

Example 2: "What skills from the job ad should I highlight in my cover letter" prompt. ChatGPT, version 3.5, OpenAI, 3 June 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.

AI-Generated Images

When using an AI-generated image in your assignments, use a description of the prompt, followed by the AI tool, version, and date created, URL. See our guide on Citing Images or Graphs for more information about citing and using images in your project.

Format: "The prompt you entered to generate the image" plus the word prompt. Name of AI Tool in Italics, Version [if available], Publisher, Date, URL.

Example: 10ft x 12ft garden with 3 Dwarf Palmetto shrubs" prompt. Canva, Canva Inc., 23 Aug. 2024, www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/.

Create a caption under the image or figure.

  • Caption format: Description of AI prompt used. AI tool name, version, company that made the tool, date, URL.

Caption example:
9pOqsjLbhiuhO I6EaMtXv44aRnlfKsL1dy1 1sSkXoq ttsVg2X8C urD1uPnyyaebGblvBp4Po90 xVtQJCCJGAkYCvKKoKWhYsI0waP1RfXrNQ6c3ZRRr0oMnpQvz9TZzO69W4iqq6KFXIq58TI
Fig. 1. “A blue sky” prompt. Craiyon, 17 Aug. 2023 version, Craiyon LLC, 17 Aug. 2023, http://www.craiyon.com.

Asking AI to Create a Text like a Poem, Song, or Short Story

How you cite a creative text depends on if you told the AI tool a title for the text it created. 

Text with a Title 

Format: “Title of Text" plus an explanation of the prompt. Name of AI Tool in Italics, Version, Publisher, Date, URL.

Example: “The Tale of Which Came First the Egg or the Chicken” a short story answering the riddle. ChatGPT, version 3.5, OpenAI, 23 Sept. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.

Text without a Title

If you did not tell the AI tool a title for the work, then you will use either all or part of the first line (depending on how long) as the title plus an explanation of the prompt.

Format: “All or Part of First Line of Text" plus an explanation of the prompt. Name of AI Tool in Italics, Version, Publisher, Date, URL.

Example: “In 1920, Wilson wins reelection over Harding...” write a chapter about the outcome of the 1920 US presidential election if women did not get the right to vote. ChatGPT, version 3.5, OpenAI,15 Nov. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.

MLA Style Center

How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?

Grammarly 

How to Cite ChatGPT and AI in MLA Format

Purdue University 

How to Cite AI-Generated Content

Contact Us

509-542-4887 library@columbiabasin.edu 2600 N 20th Ave, Pasco, WA. 99301