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ChatGPT: a primer

A resource for faculty and students

CITING CHATGPT

How to cite ChatGPT

APA Style:

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

In-text citations:

  • Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
  • Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

In the example above, note that:

  • The author of the model is OpenAI
  • The date is the year of the version you used (you do not need the exact date)
  • While ChatGPT has different versions (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), Chat GPT is the general name of the model
    • The version is included after the title, in parentheses (see above example)
  • Bracketed text identifies information sources outside the typical peer-review system
  • When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, go directly to the URL.
  • APA encourages including prompts and outputs in an appendix​

MLA Style

"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-text citation, using the example above: ("Describe the symbolism) 

In the example above note that:

  • MLA does not recommend treating the AI tool as an author
  • For the title, describe what was generated by the AI tool in parentheses followed by the word:  prompt
  • Name the container the information is from:  ex. ChatGPT and the specific version date
  • Name the company that made the tool
  • Give the date the content was generated
  • Give the general URL to the tool

Additional documenting suggestions:

  • Include prompts and outputs in an appendix​
  • Include a reflection on how you (the writer) used the AI prompts

REFERENCES

McAdoo, T. (2023, April 7). How to cite ChatGPT. Https://Apastyle.Apa.Org. https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt

 

How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? (2023, March 17). MLA Style Centerhttps://style.mla.org/citing-generative-ai/

 

Nguyen, K. (n.d.). LibGuides: ChatGPT guides: ChatGPT Citations. Retrieved June 1, 2023, from https://vinuni.libguides.com/c.php?g=958486&p=6956788