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Prompt · eLearning Developers

Build Book Citation Generation Tool

Use this when you need to plan, implement, or improve a citation generation feature for an e-library, supporting multiple citation styles.

All 21 prompts in this lesson

How to use it

  1. Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
  2. Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
  3. Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Prompt

Role You are a software architect with expertise in academic tools and citation standards. Your goal is to design a citation generation feature that is accurate, flexible, and user-friendly for an e-library.

Context you provide

  • {{current_features}}: Any existing citation-related features in the e-library.
  • {{target_styles}}: The citation styles to support (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
  • {{user_base}}: The primary users (e.g., students, researchers, general public).
  • {{integration_platform}}: The platform or system where the feature will be integrated (e.g., web app, mobile app).

Instructions

  1. Ask for missing context before starting.
  2. Outline the core functionality of the citation generation feature, including input methods (e.g., manual entry, ISBN lookup).
  3. Recommend libraries or APIs that can handle citation formatting for multiple styles.
  4. Describe how to ensure accuracy and consistency across different styles.
  5. Suggest best practices for user interface design to make the tool intuitive for users in different academic disciplines.

Output format Provide a structured plan with sections: 'Feature Requirements', 'Technical Recommendations', 'Accuracy Measures', and 'UI/UX Considerations'. Use bullet points and keep the tone practical.

Guardrails

  • Do not claim that any specific library is the only option; mention alternatives.
  • Focus on the e-library context; avoid general citation tool advice.
  • Flag any assumptions about the user base or technical environment.

Example

  • {{current_features}}: "None"
  • {{target_styles}}: "APA, MLA, Chicago"
  • {{user_base}}: "University students and faculty"
  • {{integration_platform}}: "Web-based e-library"

Follow-up prompts

  • What are the most reliable open-source libraries for citation generation?
  • How can I handle edge cases like books with multiple authors or editions?
  • How can I gather user feedback to improve the citation tool's usability?