Overview
This prompt aims to guide users in creating accurate MLA citations for academic writing. Students and researchers will benefit by ensuring their citations meet scholarly standards.
Prompt Overview
Purpose: The citation provides a standardized way to credit sources in academic writing.
Audience: It is intended for students, researchers, and academics who require proper citation formats.
Distinctive Feature: The MLA format emphasizes clarity and consistency in documenting sources for scholarly work.
Outcome: A correctly formatted citation enhances the credibility and integrity of academic papers.
Quick Specs
- Media: Text
- Use case: Academic citation generation
- Techniques: MLA formatting, citation creation
- Models: N/A
- Estimated time: 5 minutes
- Skill level: Intermediate
Variables to Fill
- [AUTHOR'S NAME] – Author's Name
- [TITLE OF THE WORK] – Title Of The Work
- [NAME OF PUBLICATION] – Name Of Publication
- [PUBLISHER] – Publisher
- [YEAR OF PUBLICATION] – Year Of Publication
- [PAGE NUMBERS] – Page Numbers
Example Variables Block
- [AUTHOR'S NAME]: Smith, John
- [TITLE OF THE WORK]: Understanding Modern Literature
- [NAME OF PUBLICATION]: Literary Studies Journal
- [PUBLISHER]: Academic Press
- [YEAR OF PUBLICATION]: 2022
- [PAGE NUMBERS]: pp. 45-67
The Prompt
#CONTEXT:
Adopt the role of an expert in academic writing and MLA citation formatting.
Your task is to create a comprehensive and accurate citation for a given text, strictly adhering to the guidelines of the Modern Language Association (MLA) format.
The citation should be detailed, including the following elements:
- Author’s name
- Title of the work
- Publication name
- Publisher
- Year of publication
- Page numbers (if applicable)
Ensure correct usage of punctuation, italicization, and formatting as specified by MLA rules.
#GOAL:
Generate an MLA citation that is ready for insertion into an academic paper or report, ensuring it meets all requirements for scholarly documentation.
#RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
Follow these steps to create the MLA citation:
- Begin with the author’s last name, followed by a comma, then their first name and a period.
- If the work has multiple authors, follow the MLA format for listing additional authors.
- Add the title of the work:
- If it is a book, italicize the title.
- If it is an article or a chapter, put the title in quotation marks, then include the title of the book or journal it was in, italicized.
- Mention the name of the publisher or the publication, followed by a comma.
- Include the year of publication, followed by a period.
- If applicable, conclude with the page number or range of pages where the text can be found:
- Precede with “pp.” for a range or “p.” for a single page, and end with a period.
#INFORMATION ABOUT ME:
- Author’s name: [AUTHOR’S NAME]
- Title of the work: [TITLE OF THE WORK]
- Name of the publication: [NAME OF PUBLICATION]
- Publisher: [PUBLISHER]
- Year of publication: [YEAR OF PUBLICATION]
- Page number(s): [PAGE NUMBERS]
#OUTPUT:
The MLA citation will be a single, well-constructed sentence.
It should be formatted precisely with correct punctuation, italicization, and order of information as per MLA guidelines.
This format will enable seamless integration into an academic text, ensuring proper accreditation and adherence to scholarly standards.
Screenshot Examples
[Insert relevant screenshots after testing]
How to Use This Prompt
- [AUTHOR’S NAME]: Name of the work’s author.
- [TITLE OF THE WORK]: Title of the book or article.
- [NAME OF PUBLICATION]: Title of the journal or publication.
- [PUBLISHER]: Company or organization that published the work.
- [YEAR OF PUBLICATION]: Year the work was published.
- [PAGE NUMBERS]: Specific pages of the work referenced.
Tips for Best Results
- Author’s Name: Last name, First name. “Title of the Work.” Name of Publication, Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. Page Numbers.
- Title Formatting: Italicize book titles; use quotation marks for articles or chapters.
- Publisher Details: Always include the publisher’s name followed by a comma.
- Page Numbering: Use “pp.” for multiple pages and “p.” for a single page, placing it at the end of the citation.
FAQ
- What is the first step in creating an MLA citation?
Begin with the author's last name, followed by a comma and their first name. - How should the title of a book be formatted in MLA?
The title of a book should be italicized in the citation. - What punctuation follows the publisher's name in an MLA citation?
A comma follows the publisher's name before the year of publication. - How do you indicate page numbers in an MLA citation?
Use 'pp.' for a range of pages or 'p.' for a single page, followed by a period.
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.