Style Wars: Cite Club

This worksheet helps students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 develop strong research skills, citation awareness, and digital literacy by comparing how APA, MLA, and Chicago style guides handle AI-generated sources. Learners read short style-specific explanations, complete a structured comparison chart, and reflect on which citation system feels clearest, reinforcing confidence in applying the correct format for different academic contexts.

Learning Goals

• Research & Citation Skills (Grades 7-9) – Understanding how APA, MLA, and Chicago style guides cite AI-generated content
• Comparative Analysis – Evaluating differences in in-text citations, reference entries, descriptive titles, and footnotes
• Academic Writing – Selecting and producing citations appropriate to task requirements and discipline expectations
• Digital Literacy – Recognizing how AI sourcing rules vary across citation systems

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed to reflect current citation guidance for AI tools
• Side-by-Side Comparison – Helps students clearly see structural and stylistic differences
• Reflection-Based Learning – Encourages students to explain preferences using evidence and reasoning
• Flexible Implementation – Ideal for research units, writing workshops, or citation review lessons
• Low-Prep Format – Ready to use in classrooms or homeschool settings

This printable worksheet supports students in building clarity and confidence with citation styles, academic conventions, and responsible AI use. By comparing APA, MLA, and Chicago approaches, learners strengthen their ability to adapt citations to different writing situations while deepening their understanding of research expectations. It is a practical resource for classroom and homeschool instruction focused on citation accuracy, analytical thinking, and ethical academic writing in AI-supported environments.

This worksheet is part of our How to Cite AI as a Source Worksheets collection.