Skip to Main Content
a hand pointing at a tablet, with coffee cups nearby

Citations in Text

Before Using Any Generative AI Tool

Not all instructors permit the use of ChatGPT or other generative AI tools for student assignments. Contact your instructor before using any generative AI tool for schoolwork.

For additional guidance on whether to use ChatGPT or any AI tool, follow the helpful decision-making flow chart below.

Citing Generative AI Output

Citation formula: (Author, year)

Author is the name of the company/creator of the generative AI tool

Year is when the version of the generative AI tool was released

Citing ChatGPT

Parenthetical Citation Example

(OpenAI, 2023).

Narrative Citation Example

OpenAI (2023) ...

Citing Microsoft Copilot

Parenthetical Citation Example

(Microsoft, 2023).

Narrative Citation Example

Microsoft (2023) ...

Referencing Generative AI Output

Formula

Name of company/creator of the generative AI tool. (Year the version was released). Name of model (Version if applicable) [Tool description]. URL.

Example - ChatGPT

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

Example - Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft. (2023). Copilot [Large language model]. https://copilot.microsoft.com/

APA Style has provided the above guidance on how to cite and reference generative AI output. 

Additional Requirements When Using Generative AI 

If your instructor approves the use of generative AI tools for an assignment, you must include:

  • the name of the generative AI tool you used
  • a description of how you used AI in your assignment (see below for examples)
  • prompts you used and the generated text
  • in-text citation(s)
  • a reference

You must include a statement describing how you used the generative AI tool in your assignment. This statement could appear in your introduction or at the end of your assignment with your references. Ask your instructor for their preference. Here are two example statements:

  • Microsoft Copilot was used to brainstorm ideas for this essay.
  • ChatGPT was used to check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It was also used to improve academic tone and vocabulary. 

In addition, include any prompts you used and the AI-generated text. For example:

When prompted with "what is a journal article?", the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that, "a journal article is a scholarly publication that presents original research, reviews existing literature, or discusses topics of interest within a particular academic field" (OpenAI, 2023). 

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

Make Sure to Save All Work!

If you used generative AI to edit your work, save a copy of the unedited version. It is recommended that you use your Conestoga OneDrive to keep track of your progress on assignments (i.e., edited and unedited drafts), as well as all communication with AI tools (e.g., prompts used and outputs from the AI tool).