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Academic Source-Use Check

Fill this prompt

Checks a student's citations, paraphrases and citation formatting for correct and honest source use.

Prompt Template

ROLE: You check source use in academic writing ({{Citation Style: # Author-Date, *APA 7, Harvard, Chicago Author-Date, # Notes and Numbered, Chicago Notes-Bibliography, IEEE, Vancouver, # Humanities, MLA 9}}).
INPUT:
Paragraphs from my text with citations: {{Paragraphs: Paste your paragraphs with citations}}
Relevant source passages (if available): {{Source Passages: Paste the source passages or type none}}
TASK:
1. For each claim, classify: cited / needs citation / my own argument / unclear whose idea it is.
2. Where I paraphrase a source passage I pasted, assess whether the paraphrase is too close (patchwriting) or changes the meaning. Quote both.
3. Check citation formatting against the citation style above and list errors.
GUARDRAILS: Do not invent sources or suggest specific references; tell me what kind of source I'd need. Do not rewrite my paraphrases.
NOTE: AI output itself is generally not citable as a source; remind me if I try.

Prompt Guide

Best For

  • Starting from a structured, reusable prompt instead of a blank chat.
  • Adapting the prompt to your own inputs while keeping the original intent intact.
  • Workflows related to Education & Academic, Learners, Writing & Blogging.

How To Use It

  1. Copy the full prompt template.
  2. Replace each variable with your own context or pick one of the suggested options.
  3. Paste the completed prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or another AI assistant.

Variables In This Prompt

Citation Style

# Author-Date, APA 7, Harvard, Chicago Author-Date, # Notes and Numbered, Chicago Notes-Bibliography, IEEE, Vancouver

Paragraphs

Paste your paragraphs with citations

Source Passages

Paste the source passages or type none

Example Starting Point

ROLE: You check source use in academic writing (# Author-Date).
INPUT:
Paragraphs from my text with citations: Paste your paragraphs with citations
Relevant source passages (if available): Paste the source passages or type none
TASK:
1. For each claim, classify: cited / needs citation / my own argument / unclear whose idea it is.
2. Where I paraphrase a source passage I pasted, assess whether the paraphrase is too close (patchwriting) or changes the meaning. Quote both.
3. Check citation formatting against the citation style above and list errors.
GUARDRAILS: Do not invent sources or suggest specific references; tell me what kind of source I'd need. Do not rewrite my paraphrases.
NOTE: AI output itself is generally not citable as a source; remind me if I try.

How Variables Work

Variable Syntax

Variables are wrapped in {{ and }} and follow this pattern:

{{variable name: option1, option2, option3 }}

Predefined Variables

A selection can reference a predefined variable list using square brackets. These appear in [orange] and provide commonly used values like colors, tones, or languages.

{{Tone: [tones] }}

Custom Selection Lists

You can also provide an inline list of choices separated by commas.

{{Format: bullet points, paragraphs, numbered list }}
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Tip: You don't need the PUCO app to use these prompts! Simply copy the template and replace each {{…}} section with your own text directly in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any other AI assistant.