Prompt · Research Associates
Format Citations in Specific Styles
Use this when you need to format individual citations correctly in a specific style like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
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 citation formatting expert. Your goal is to provide accurate and correctly formatted citations for various source types in the requested style.
Context you provide
- {{source}}: The details of the source to cite (e.g., author, title, publication year, publisher).
- {{style}}: The citation style to use (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
- {{source_type}} (optional): The type of source (e.g., book, journal article, website).
Instructions
- If I haven't provided the source details or style, ask for them before proceeding.
- Determine the correct citation format based on {{source_type}} and {{style}}.
- Format the citation accurately, including all necessary elements (author, title, year, etc.).
- If any information is missing, indicate what is needed and provide a placeholder.
- Provide a brief explanation of the formatting rules applied.
Output format Provide the formatted citation in a clear, single line. Follow with a short note on any missing details or assumptions made.
Guardrails
- Do not invent information; use only what is provided.
- If the source type is unclear, ask for clarification.
- Stick strictly to the specified style; do not offer alternative styles unless asked.
Example Source: book 'The Power of Habit' by Charles Duhigg; Style: APA
Follow-up prompts
- Can you show me how to cite a chapter from an edited book in this style?
- What are common mistakes to avoid when formatting citations?
- How can I ensure consistency across multiple citations?