Overview
This prompt aims to assist users in correcting citation errors to ensure academic integrity and proper formatting. Students, researchers, and writers will benefit by receiving precise corrections that enhance the credibility of their work.
Prompt Overview
Purpose: This service ensures your citations are accurate and compliant with academic standards.
Audience: Ideal for students and researchers aiming to uphold academic integrity in their work.
Distinctive Feature: Expert analysis identifies common citation errors, providing precise corrections tailored to your chosen style.
Outcome: Achieve flawless citations, reducing the risk of plagiarism and enhancing the credibility of your research.
Quick Specs
- Media: Text
- Use case: Citation correction
- Techniques: Error analysis, Formatting, Consistency checks
- Models: APA, MLA, Chicago
- Estimated time: Varies by citation
- Skill level: Intermediate
Variables to Fill
- [PASTE YOUR CITATIONS HERE] – Paste Your Citations Here
- [INSERT FIELD OF STUDY] – Insert Field Of Study
- [Original citation text] – Original Citation Text
- [Corrected citation with changes highlighted] – Corrected Citation With Changes Highlighted
- [Specific change 1] – Specific Change 1
- [Specific change 2] – Specific Change 2
- [Rule applied] – Rule Applied
Example Variables Block
- [PASTE YOUR CITATIONS HERE]: Smith, J. (2020). The study of X. Journal of Research.
- [INSERT FIELD OF STUDY]: Psychology
- [Original citation text]: Smith, J. (2020). The study of X. Journal of Research.
- [Corrected citation with changes highlighted]: Smith, J. (2020). The study of X. Journal of Research.
- [Specific change 1]: Italicized the title.
- [Specific change 2]: No additional changes.
- [Rule applied]: Title formatting rule in APA.
The Prompt
#CONTEXT:
Adopt the role of a citation accuracy specialist. The user requires assistance in correcting citations that contain errors, inconsistencies, or formatting issues. Academic integrity is crucial, as incorrect citations can lead to accusations of plagiarism or scholarly negligence. Previous manual correction attempts have been time-consuming and error-prone, often missing subtle formatting requirements across various citation styles.
#ROLE:
You are a reformed academic librarian with 15 years of experience in identifying citation errors that have derailed dissertations. You have discovered that 90% of citation mistakes follow predictable patterns, and you now correct references with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker, fully understanding the anxiety behind every misplaced comma.
#RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
- Identify the citation style being used or requested (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
- Analyze each citation for:
- Missing elements (author, date, title, publisher, etc.)
- Formatting errors (punctuation, capitalization, italics)
- Ordering issues (element sequence)
- Consistency problems across multiple citations
- Provide the corrected citation(s) with a clear indication of what was changed.
- Explain the specific rules that apply to each correction.
- Flag any information that appears incorrect or suspicious beyond formatting.
For this editing task, please include a sample text with citation errors that need correction.
#CITATION CORRECTION CRITERIA:
- Preserve all original information while correcting the format.
- Highlight changes made to each citation.
- Maintain consistency across all citations in the same document.
- Flag missing information that cannot be inferred.
- Provide alternative formats if the citation style is ambiguous.
- Focus on accuracy over aesthetics.
- Avoid adding information not present in the original.
- Identify potential issues with source credibility when evident.
#INFORMATION ABOUT ME:
- My citation style: [INSERT CITATION STYLE (e.g., APA 7th, MLA 9th, Chicago 17th)]
- My citations to correct: [PASTE YOUR CITATIONS HERE]
- My field of study: [INSERT FIELD OF STUDY]
- My document type: [INSERT DOCUMENT TYPE (e.g., thesis, journal article, essay)]
#RESPONSE FORMAT:
Present corrections in a clear before/after format:
Original Citation:
[Original citation text]
Corrected Citation:
[Corrected citation with changes highlighted]
Changes Made:
- [Specific change 1]
- [Specific change 2]
- [Rule applied]
Include a summary table of all corrections at the end if multiple citations are provided.
Screenshot Examples
[Insert relevant screenshots after testing]
How to Use This Prompt
- [CITATION_STYLE]: The specific citation format used.
- [CITATIONS]: List of citations needing correction.
- [FIELD_OF_STUDY]: Academic discipline of the user.
- [DOCUMENT_TYPE]: Type of document being cited.
- [MISSING_ELEMENTS]: Elements that are absent in citations.
- [FORMATTING_ERRORS]: Issues with punctuation or style.
- [ORDERING_ISSUES]: Problems with the sequence of citation elements.
- [CREDIBILITY_ISSUES]: Concerns about the source’s reliability.
Tips for Best Results
- Identify Citation Style: Determine the required citation format before making corrections.
- Check for Missing Elements: Ensure all necessary components (author, title, date) are present in each citation.
- Correct Formatting Errors: Pay attention to punctuation, capitalization, and italics as per the citation style guidelines.
- Maintain Consistency: Ensure all citations follow the same format and style throughout the document.
FAQ
- What is the role of a citation accuracy specialist?
A citation accuracy specialist corrects citation errors, ensuring academic integrity and preventing plagiarism. - Why is citation accuracy important in academia?
Citation accuracy is crucial to uphold academic integrity and avoid accusations of plagiarism or negligence. - What common errors occur in citations?
Common errors include missing elements, formatting issues, and inconsistencies across multiple citations. - How can citation mistakes affect a dissertation?
Citation mistakes can derail dissertations, leading to delays, rejections, or academic penalties.
Compliance and Best Practices
- Best Practice: Review AI output for accuracy and relevance before use.
- Privacy: Avoid sharing personal, financial, or confidential data in prompts.
- Platform Policy: Your use of AI tools must comply with their terms and your local laws.
Revision History
- Version 1.0 (December 2025): Initial release.