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MLA Guide 9th ed.

Citing Artificial intelligence (AI)

According to MLA style, when citing large language models and new AI technologies such as ChatGPT, use the MLA template of core elements as your guide.  The MLA template of core elements is explained in-depth in the MLA Handbook 9th ed. available at Swisher Library, call number: REF LB 2369 .M52 2021.  Keep in mind, the MLA template of core elements is meant to provide flexibility.  Core elements of the template can be modified to meet your specific citation needs.  Core elements to consider when citing AI tools in MLA format are listed below. 

Core Elements to Consider When Citing an AI tool:
Core Element Rule Example
Author. According to MLA, when citing AI tools, skip the author and start with the title of the source. 
Title of Source. In the title position, enter the exact text prompt (what you typed in the AI tool) or describe what was generated by the AI tool.  The title of the source should be in quotation marks. “What is the Population of Jacksonville Florida?” prompt.
Title of Container, Enter the name of the AI tool (e.g., ChatGPT) in the container position.  Italicize the name of the AI tool. ChatGPT,
Version, Enter the version of the AI tool in the version position.  Be as specific as possible. GPT-4,
Publisher, Enter the name of the company that created the AI tool. OpenAI,
Date, Enter the date the content was generated. 3 Oct. 2024,
Location. Enter the general URL of the AI tool chat.openai.com

 

Works Cited

  • Sample Format:
    • “Insert ChatGPT prompt here in quotation marks” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 7 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com.
  • Example 1:
    • “What is the population of Jacksonville Florida?” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 7 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com.
  • Example 2:
    • “Describe themes used in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 7 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com.
  • Example 3:
    • “In 200 words describe crime and punishment in Medieval Italy” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, OpenAI, 7 Oct. 2024, chat.openai.com.

In the Text of Your Paper

Example of Paraphrased AI Generated Content:

  • The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman contains five main themes, which are mental health and misdiagnosis, gender roles and patriarchy, isolation and confinement, identity and self-expression, and symbolism of the wallpaper (“Describe themes used”).  Of the five main themes mentioned in this short story, mental health is the most powerful.

Example of AI Generated Content quoted:

  • When asked to describe themes in The Yellow Wallpaper, ChatGPT provided a summary of the following themes: mental health and misdiagnosis, gender roles and patriarchy, isolation and confinement, identity and self-expression, and symbolism of the wallpaper.  “These themes intertwine to critique the treatment of women's mental health and the societal norms of the time, making the story a powerful commentary on gender and autonomy” (“Describe themes used”). 

In-Text Citations
According to MLA, when citing parenthetically, if the source has no author, your in-text citation will use the title of the source that starts your works cited entry.  Give the full title if it is short.  Long titles can be shortened as long as it is clear which title on the Works Cited page you are referring to.  Follow the same format as the Works Cited entry; i.e. if the title is in quotes in the Works Cited entry, then it should match – quotes – in the in-text entry. Exclude any initial article in the title such as a, an, the.

  • Example 1:

    • (“Describe themes used”)

  • Example 2:

    • ("What is the population”)

  • Example 3:

    • (“In 200 words”)