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.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- 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
- Ask for missing context before starting.
- Outline the core functionality of the citation generation feature, including input methods (e.g., manual entry, ISBN lookup).
- Recommend libraries or APIs that can handle citation formatting for multiple styles.
- Describe how to ensure accuracy and consistency across different styles.
- 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?