There are many ways to use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically in assignments, but it must be cited appropriately. We have adapted the Modern Language Assocation's recommendations for citing AI in MLA style below.
The Modern Language Association recommends that you:
| Author | Do not list the AI tool as the author. |
| Title of Source | Provide a description of the content generated by the AI tool. You may have to include information about the prompt in your title if you haven’t already done so in the text. |
| Version | Name of the version of the AI tool as specifically as possible. |
| Publisher | Name the company that made the tool. |
| Date | Give the general URL for the tool. |
In The Great Gatsby, East Egg is described as as the home of elite, “old money” residents like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who live in grand mansions and move in elitist social circles. West Egg, meanwhile, is inhabited by the social-climbing nouveau riche such as Jay Gatsby. Although Gatsby has enormous wealth due to his questionable business dealings, the more established, snobbish residents of East Egg refuse to accept him (“Explain the significance”).
“Explain the significance of East Egg and West Egg in The Great Gatsby by
F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT-3.5, 13 June version, OpenAI, 13 June 2023, chat.openai.com/chat
When asked to explain the significance of East Egg and West Egg in The Great Gatsby, ChatGPT provided a summary of the most common interpretations of the significance of the two places, though it would not provide sources (“Explain the significance”).
Works Cited List Entry
“Explain the significance of East Egg and West Egg in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” prompt. ChatGPT-3.5, 13 June version, OpenAI, 13 June 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.
If you use an AI-generated image in your work, give it a label and a caption as shown below immediately below the image, with the same one-inch margins of your paper’s text. If you do not cite this image within the body of your text, it is not necessary to include it in the Works Cited. However, if you do make mention of it within the body of your text, you must provide an entry for in the Works Cited too.
Fig, 1. “Steampunk view of Old Port in Montreal” prompt, Picsart, Picsart, 14 June 2023, https://picsart.com/create/editor?projectId=6489b76165cc890011193af7&category=layout
“Steampunk view of Old Port in Montreal” prompt, Picsart, Picsart, 14 June 2023, https://picsart.com/create/editor?projectId=6489b76165cc890011193af7&category=layout
MLA Handbook by Teaching and learning MLA style is about to get easier. For nearly seventy years, the Modern Language Association has helped student writers choose trustworthy sources and use them to support their own ideas. Now, the authority on writing and research presents the clearest approach to MLA style yet with the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook. The ninth edition works as both a textbook and a reference guide. Focusing on source evaluation, it features a wealth of visual examples and updated advice on punctuation and grammar, footnotes and endnotes, annotated bibliographies, and paper formatting. An all-in-one resource that makes MLA style easier to learn and use, the MLA Handbook includes: Expanded, in-depth guidance on creating works-cited-list entries using the MLA template of core elements that explains what each core element is, where to find it in various sources, and how to style it. A new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations. A new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language. A new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more. Updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism. Although there are numerous websites, apps, reference works, and cheat sheets that claim to help with MLA style, there's only one truly authoritative resource to help your students on their paths to becoming better writers. The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook is the most comprehensive guide the MLA has ever produced, with an all-inclusive approach to writing, research, documentation, and formatting.In your works cited list, abbreviate months as follows:
January = Jan.
February = Feb.
March = Mar.
April = Apr.
May = May
June = June
July = July
August = Aug.
September = Sept.
October = Oct.
November = Nov.
December = Dec.
Spell out months fully in the body of your paper.
