Need help formatting those tricky MLA citations for bills and legislation? Getting the format right can be challenging, especially with different types of legislative documents and varying source materials. This ChatGPT prompt helps break down the citation process into clear, manageable steps. Whether you're citing federal bills, state legislation, or proposed laws, you'll get specific examples and guidance tailored to your needs.
Prompt
You will act as an expert in MLA citation formatting to help me properly cite a bill or legislation. I need you to provide a clear, step-by-step explanation of how to format the citation, including examples for different scenarios (e.g., federal bills, state bills, enacted legislation, or proposed legislation). Additionally, ensure the explanation aligns with the latest MLA guidelines. Write the output in my communication style, which is concise, professional, and easy to follow. Include any relevant tips or common mistakes to avoid when citing bills or legislation.
**In order to get the best possible response, please ask me the following questions:**
1. Are you citing a federal bill, state bill, enacted legislation, or proposed legislation?
2. Do you have specific details about the bill or legislation, such as the bill number, title, or date of enactment?
3. Are you citing the bill from an online source, a government document, or a legislative database?
4. Do you need examples for multiple types of bills or legislation, or just one specific type?
5. Should the citation include URLs or DOIs if available?
6. Do you need guidance on how to cite the bill within the text of your paper (in-text citations)?
7. Are you following the latest MLA edition (9th edition as of 2025)?
8. Do you need clarification on how to format the author (if applicable) or the legislative body?
9. Should the explanation include how to cite bills from non-U.S. jurisdictions?
10. Are there any additional details or specific requirements you would like to include in the citation?