Web Analytics
Skip to Main Content

ChatGPT Quick Start Guide

Learn the basics. Ask better questions. Get better answers.
📚 How & When to Cite ChatGPT in Academic Work

(APA • MLA • Chicago + AI Use Statement)

✅ When to Cite ChatGPT

  • You quote its exact words.
  • You paraphrase or summarize its output.
  • You rely on unique ideas or interpretations from ChatGPT.

You don’t need to cite if: You only used it for brainstorming and rewrote everything in your own words, or you verified info and cited the original sources instead.

📚 Citation Formats

Reference list:
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (July 2025 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/

In-text: (OpenAI, 2025)

📌 Quick Summary
  • In-text citation: Use the author-date format (e.g., (OpenAI, 2023)).
  • Reference list entry: Treat the AI tool like software (include org., date, model name/version, type, and URL).
  • Personal conversations: Cite only in text as a personal communication if the chat isn't retrievable.

🧠 In-Text Citations

Use standard APA author-date style.

  • Parenthetical: (OpenAI, 2023)
  • Narrative: According to OpenAI (2023), ...

📚 Reference List Examples

Use this format for publicly available AI content:

✉️ Citing AI Conversations Not Publicly Available

If the content came from a private session and is not accessible to others, cite it as a personal communication. Do not include it in the reference list.

Example: (ChatGPT, personal communication, July 25, 2025)

💡 Tip: Always check your instructor or publisher’s policies before citing AI. Some may limit or prohibit its use as a source.
Entry authored by ChatGPT · OpenAI (2025). Prompt: "How does the APA style manual, 7th ed., treat citing AIs such as ChatGPT, Copilot, etc."

Works Cited:
“Response to ‘Explain quantum computing in simple terms.’” ChatGPT, 24 July 2025, chat.openai.com.

In-text: (“Response to ‘Explain quantum computing…’”)

Notes and Bibliography:
ChatGPT. Response to “Explain photosynthesis.” OpenAI. July 24, 2025. https://chat.openai.com/.

Author-Date:
ChatGPT. 2025. Response to “Explain photosynthesis.” July 24. OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/.

🖊 AI Use Statement (Recommended)

“Portions of this paper were generated using ChatGPT (OpenAI, July 2025 version) to help explain and summarize concepts related to [topic]. The author reviewed, verified, and edited the content for accuracy and originality.”

✅ Key Tips

  • Always verify facts from ChatGPT.
  • Follow your instructor’s or publisher’s policy on AI use.
  • Consider attaching your prompt and ChatGPT response in an appendix.