Writing with AI, Honestly

A coach, not a ghostwriter

There's a big difference between:

• "Write my essay on climate change." The AI does the thinking. You learn nothing, and in most courses it's not allowed.
• "Here's my draft paragraph. What's unclear?" You do the thinking, and the AI helps you improve it.

The second approach makes you a better writer and keeps you within most schools' rules. Always check your course's policy on AI first.

Plan before you write

A good outline is half the work. Ask for help structuring your own ideas:

My essay question is "Should social media be regulated in Nigeria?"
My position: yes, but lightly. My points: misinformation, cyberbullying,
free speech concerns. Suggest an essay structure with an introduction,
three body sections and a conclusion. Don't write the essay.

Then write each section yourself, following the plan.

Get feedback on your draft

Paste your own writing and ask specific questions:

• "Is my argument in this paragraph clear? Point out any weak links."
• "Where do I repeat myself?"
• "Is this introduction too long? Which sentence could go?"
• "Check my grammar and spelling, and list the mistakes rather than rewriting everything."

Asking for a list of problems rather than a rewrite keeps the writing yours, and you learn from each fix.

Improve clarity and tone

AI is very good at helping you write clearly for different readers:

• "Make this email to my lecturer more polite and concise."
• "Explain this technical paragraph so a non-specialist could follow it."
• "This sentence is 60 words long. Suggest how to split it."

Say how you used it

If your course allows AI, it may ask you to declare how you used it. A short, honest note is enough:

"I used ChatGPT to suggest an essay structure and to check grammar. The ideas, research and writing are my own."

Try it

1. Take an assignment question you have now, or make one up.
2. Write your position and three points, then ask the AI for a structure only.
3. Write one paragraph yourself.
4. Ask for a list of problems in that paragraph (not a rewrite) and fix them yourself.
5. Write a one-sentence declaration of how you used AI.