Citation Styles Playbook

The content of this page was adapted from the MLA Style Center.

When using AI as a source

• Cite a generative AI tool whenever you paraphrase, quote, or incorporate into your own work any content (text, image, data, etc.) that was created by it.
• Acknowledge all functional uses of the tool (like editing your prose or translating words) in a note, your text, or another suitable location
• Verify all secondary sources AI gives you.
• Do not treat the AI tool as the author.

Paraphrased in the Body of Your Work

Batman shares many of the characteristics of the savior archetype, such as self-sacrifice, a strict moral code, and selflessness, among others ("In 200 words or less"), but what stands out the most is his ability to bring both hope and fear to Gotham: hope for the city and its people, fear for those who only wish to destroy it. With this Janus-like duality, Batman takes on the mantle of a demigod.

Works Cited List Entry

“In 200 words or less, analyze Batman in terms of the savor narrative” prompt. ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 8 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

In the Body of Your Work

The Janus-like duality of Batman as not only hero and savior, but also as a kind of mythological creature, a demigod, is also represented in the bat signal, a distress signal projected onto the dark heavens above Gotham to summon the city's protector. The signal "serves as a multifaceted symbol embodying hope, justice, and fear," bringing reassurance that "helps to counteract the pervasive fear and corruption within the city" ("Write a short analysis").

Works Cited List Entry

"Write a short analysis about the symbolism of the bat signal in Batman." ChatGPT, 13 Feb. version, OpenAI, 9 Mar. 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

If you are incorporating an AI-generated image in your work, you will likely need to create a caption for it following MLA guidelines. Use a description of the prompt, followed by the AI tool, version, and date created.

Fig. 1. “Bat signal over Gotham City" prompt, DALL-E, version 2, OpenAI, 6 Mar. 2024, labs.openai.com/.