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MLA Style Guide for Citations (9th edition): Citing Online Resources

Basic Format

It is difficult to give a basic format for the wide variety of sources found online. This a good time to use the MLA Template to identify which publication information your source includes.

Citation Examples of Sources Found Online

Web article

Elezaj, Rilind. “Autonomous Cars: Safety Opportunity or Cybersecurity Threat?” MachineDesign, 16 July 2019, https://www.machinedesign.com/ mechanical-motion-systems/article/21837958/autonomous-carssafety-opportunity-or-cybersecurity-threat

Online video

Bozeman Science. “Asking Scientific Questions.” YouTube, 16 July 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-VbOOlR52w

Online government publication

United States, Department of Health and Human Services. “Alcohol Use and Your Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 July 2016, www.cdc.gov/alcohol/ fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm.

Image

Powell, C. Don. “Yellowstone National Park, Ranger Naturalist Service.” WPA Posters, 1938. Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/ resource/ppmsca.13399/?co=wpapos.

For EDUC 1300/Career Research Assignment

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Psychologists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, 16 Feb. 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

Labor Market & Career Information Department. “Lifestyle Calculator.” Texas Reality Check, Texas Workforce Commission, 2021, https://texasrealitycheck.com/Location?flow=lifestyle

“Cost of Living: How Far Will My Salary Go in Another City?” CNN Money, Sept. 2022, https://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/index.html

 

Citing Use of AI Tools

MLA provides detailed guidance about citing use of AI tools such as ChatGPT. You can find that information here.

There are a few things you should consider when using AI tools:

  • Always cite any information, images, or ideas you use in your work that are generated by AI.
  • Be sure to talk with your professor about using AI tools and understand their policies on their use.
  • Be open about your use of AI tools and provide details about how you used them. MLA suggests including notes in parts of your paper detailing how used used AI.
  • If the AI tool cites its sources or provides citations, always check those sources for validity.

Suggested basic format

"The Question or Prompt Entered into the AI Tool Can Be Used as the Title" prompt. Name of AI Tool, Version used, Company, Date of Use, URL.

Examples of AI citations

"Summarize the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" prompt. ChatGPT, 14 March version, OpenAI, 29 April 2023, chat.openai.com/chat.

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