Citation Guides and Style Manuals

Any time you use words that are not your own you must include quote marks and citations. This is true even when using ChatGPT or other generative AI.

In most cases you should describe or cite the text of your prompt in addition to the text generated by AI. 

APA 

The American Psychological Association recommends including your prompt in your narrative to provide context for the text that was generated, but does require prompt information in the citation. 

• In-text citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Reference list: OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (July 21, 2023) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

MLA

MLA recommends citing the text of the prompt.

• In-text citation: ("Text of prompt")
• Works Cited list: “Text of prompt” prompt. ChatGPT May 24 version, OpenAI, July 21, 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
  • note the inclusion of which version of ChatGPT you used, as well as the date you used it. 

Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style recommends including the text of the prompt either in your narrative or in the citation. 

• In-text citation: (ChatGPT, date)
• Footnote / endnote: ChatGPT, response to “prompt,” March 7, 2023, OpenAI.