MLA Style

Examples and resources for citing materials in Modern Language Association format

Warning

A picture of a "pointer" dog in front of a blackboard indicating that users of AI should ensure that they have talked with their instructors to ensure that AI is allowed in the class.

Citing Generative AI

ChatGPT stands in as “author” of the content, and OpenAI (the company that developed ChatGPT) is the publisher or sponsor, followed by the date the text was generated.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications, with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating.

Check out these resources, if you have content that may not fall under an available standard. If creating something for publication, always check to see if the resource's style guide includes how to cite AI. 

3 steps for citing GenAI in your work

question iconMake sure it is ethical for you to use GenAI output

question iconFact-check any content you plan to use to ensure accuracy and reliability.

question iconCite or acknowledge your use properly.

 

Citing AI in MLA style

MLA (Modern Language Association) Recommends

  • cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by it 
  • acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location 
  • take care to vet the secondary sources it cites

MLA does NOT acknowledge the AI language model generator as the author of the response - example ChatGPT is the model and the publisher of the model is OpenAI

Generative AI:

"Verbatim quote of the prompt used" prompt. AI engine, software version, Producer of software, date of tool use, URL of site.

“Describe the symbolism of the green light in the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

"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.

“Pointillist painting of a sheep in a sunny field of blue flowers” prompt, DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, labs.openai.com/.