Writing Help: Citation and Integrating Sources

Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Guidelines

Note: Always follow your instructor’s requirements first, even if they differ from these guidelines.

The Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Center states that writers should:

• cite GenAI tools each time you “paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work into any content (whether text, image, data, or other) that was created by it.”
• acknowledge the use of GenAI tools if you use them for such practical tasks as editing or translating text.

For detailed directions and examples, including citation of images, visit  How do I cite generative AI in MLA style?

In-text Citation Format

Direct quotation

Further, a comparison of the final paragraphs of Magarshack’s and Garnett’s translations of Dostoyevsky’s Бесы reveals that Magarshack’s shows a “more modern and fluent style” (“compare the styles of these two paragraphs”).

Paraphrase

Further, a comparison of the final paragraphs of Magarshack’s and Garnett’s translations of Dostoyevsky’s Бесы reveals Magarshack’s style to be more fluid and recognizable to modern readers (“compare the styles of these two paragraphs”).

Note that if prompts are too long for a citation, they can be abbreviated (for example, “Compare styles”).

Works Cited Entry Format

Refer to the MLA core elements of citations to create citations for your Works Cited list:

• Author: do not treat AI tools as authors (MLA states that AI tools should not be treated as authors even if they generate whole creative works (e.g., poems or stories); instead, these works should be cited descriptively with titles or prompt descriptions)
• Title of Source: describe the AI-generated output in quotation marks, followed by the word "prompt."
• Title of the Container: Name the tool in italics – e.g., ChatGPT
• Version: provide the specific version of the tool, and if it includes a date, use a  Day Month Year format.
• Publisher: The AI company or developer – e.g., OpenAI
• Publication date: provide the date you generated the content, using the  Day Month Year format (e.g., 12 June 2025),
• Location: If you have a shareable URL for the chat session, provide it, and if you do not, give the general URL for the tool (e.g., chat.openai.com/chat)

Examples:

1. "Examples of potential harm reduction initiatives" prompt. ChatGPT, 23 Mar. version, OpenAI, 4 Mar. 2024, chat.openai.com/chat.

2. "Note all instances of the word ‘dark’" prompt. ChatGPT, 24 May 2024 version, OpenAI, 27 June 2024. chat.openai.com/chat.

Vancouver Style/
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Style Guidelines

Artificial Intelligence (AI)–Assisted Technology

If your instructor has given you explicit permission to use ChatGPT or another artificial intelligence program to complete an assignment, or if you are submitting your work to a journal, follow the International Committee of Medical Editors’ (ICMJE) Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly work in Medical Journals (in the section entitled "Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors -- Artificial Intelligence (AI)–Assisted Technology") on this matter:  

 Authors who use such technology [artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies (such as Large Language Models [LLMs], chatbots, or image creators)] should describe... how they used it.  For example, if AI was used for writing assistance, describe this...If AI was used for data collection, analysis, or figure generation, authors should describe this use...Chatbots (such as ChatGPT) should not be listed as authors because they cannot be responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the work, and these responsibilities are required for authorship....  Therefore, humans are responsible for any submitted material that included the use of AI-assisted technologies. Authors should carefully review and edit the result because AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased. Authors should not list AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author, nor cite AI as an author. Authors should be able to assert that there is no plagiarism in their paper, including in text and images produced by the AI. Humans must ensure there is appropriate attribution of all quoted material, including full citations.

Other Guidance

The International Committee of Medical Editors’ “Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” aim is to “review best practice and ethical standards in the conduct and reporting of research and other material published in medical journals, and to help authors, editors, and others involved in peer review and biomedical publishing create and distribute accurate, clear, reproducible, unbiased medical journal articles.”  However, it does not provide guidance on the mechanics of citing.  If you need help with formatting your citations, consult the National Library of Medicine’s “Sample References” web page and/or the National Library of Medicine’s publication “Citing Medicine.”

IEEE Style Guidelines

Note: Always follow your instructor’s requirements first, even if they differ from these guidelines.

Do not cite AI-generated content unless directed by a publisher, instructor, or supervisor. Such content is typically considered “private communication” or “non-recoverable material,” so it is not provided with a citation number and should not be included in the references.

If writing for publication, be sure to check the publisher's guidelines on citation and questions of authorship. When writing in academic contexts, students should follow the directions of their instructors or supervisors. 

In-text Citation 

Author’s name (Initials, Surname), private communication, Abbrev. Month, year).

Example:

A chat output provided …. (OpenAI’s ChatGPT, private communication, 25 June 2024).

Reference List 

No citation is needed. 

Additional Guidance

See the IEEE Reference Guide, 2023, section Q re: "private communication."

Non-textual outputs (images, music, figures, etc.)

Note: Always follow your instructor’s requirements first, even if they differ from these guidelines.

APA, MLA and the Chicago Manual of Style editors have provided guidelines for citing AI-generated visuals and other works. Non-textual outputs, such as images, music, or figures, must be properly cited.

Additional Guidance

University of Toronto Libraries. (2024). Art, artists, and copyright - Artificial intelligence for image research.

Vyas, B. (2022). Ethical implications of generative AI in art and the media. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 4(1), 1-11.