MLA suggests using the template of the core elements for citation and references (author, title, source, publication details). The mains principles are:
- to cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any generated content (whether text, image, data, or other);
- to acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location;
- to take care referring to the comments as a secondary source.
Quoted in text
When asked to describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby, ChatGPT provided a summary about optimism, the unattainability of the American dream, greed, and covetousness. However, when further prompted to cite the source on which that summary was based, it noted that it lacked “the ability to conduct research or cite sources independently” but that it could “provide a list of scholarly sources related to the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby” (“In 200 words”).
Works-Cited-List Entry
“In 200 words, describe the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby” follow-up prompt to list sources. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 9 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
Please see more examples including how to cite images and secondary sources on the MLA website:
