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Is it acceptable to use AI to help me improve my essay?
For example, if I write a sentence or paragraph, can I ask AI to help me reword or improve it?
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8 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Ava,
My advice would be don't. The problem with AI is not only that you don't really learn from it to write better - because you are not really writing yourself. It's also that AI writing all sounds somewhat the same. You lose your unique voice and style in a quest to make your writing "better". But your unique voice and style is what makes your writing human and interesting - and colleges are much more interested in that aspect. Of course you are also taking the risk that some AI detection tool flags your essay as AI generated. You want to be able to show your drafts at different stages and explain your process.
If you want to improve your writing, read a lot and get feedback from your teachers what you can improve. If/when you are at college, use the writing center. I wouldn't say that there is never a place for AI in writing, but as a learning tool at this stage it's not great.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
My advice would be don't. The problem with AI is not only that you don't really learn from it to write better - because you are not really writing yourself. It's also that AI writing all sounds somewhat the same. You lose your unique voice and style in a quest to make your writing "better". But your unique voice and style is what makes your writing human and interesting - and colleges are much more interested in that aspect. Of course you are also taking the risk that some AI detection tool flags your essay as AI generated. You want to be able to show your drafts at different stages and explain your process.
If you want to improve your writing, read a lot and get feedback from your teachers what you can improve. If/when you are at college, use the writing center. I wouldn't say that there is never a place for AI in writing, but as a learning tool at this stage it's not great.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Bernard’s Answer
Personally I would first turn in the essay and get what grade I earned. Then I would talk to the teacher about how to improve (if your needs improvement). Only after would I use AI to give additional advice.
Once all that is done, I would then try to bridge the gap (by myself) between where I am currently, what my teacher expects, and what the AI suggests.
This will help me improve while maintaining my own voice and maintaining a human connection with the teacher.
Once all that is done, I would then try to bridge the gap (by myself) between where I am currently, what my teacher expects, and what the AI suggests.
This will help me improve while maintaining my own voice and maintaining a human connection with the teacher.
Thank you, Bernard for the advice.
Ava
Updated
Xavier’s Answer
Follow your instructors explicit directions. If the use of AI is prohibited then one should refrain from doing so in this capacity. Use direct sourcing to strengthen your essay. Deep research and a stance on the topic at hand will help to craft an essay you are proud to submit. You can leverage tools like Grammarly and Google Scholar to check your paper for mistakes and to supplement with meaningful information.
Thank you for your response!
Ava
Updated
Liam’s Answer
My answer is, it depends. What is the essay for? Is it something you want to show off your skills and abilities? Then no. Is it something you are dreading to get done and you just need it to help you continue on? Sure why not?! But remember the failures the AI has will be represented by you.
If this is learning, then I would try to not use it at all. If you really want the skill, its better to do it the hard way. I would also consider asking someone you know that is decent at writing. See what they can help you with. I don't know what you have available to you for resources but that would be the better way.
If you are just trying to get it done, sure! Ask it to coach you rather than to complete parts for you. Ask it for word replacements as needed. Better than that, write your paper, take your phone, record yourself reading the essay back to your phone. Then watch it. Does it make sense? Are you saying something that sounds right as it is written?
Lastly, you can use AI to transcribe what you are saying. If you can say what you need to but have a hard time writing it, then try that. I think word and most OSs have diction capabilities built in (and have for years now). Just try to think about how you can keep your voice when writing no matter what. Use the tools you already have, but also boast the skills you already have.
If this is learning, then I would try to not use it at all. If you really want the skill, its better to do it the hard way. I would also consider asking someone you know that is decent at writing. See what they can help you with. I don't know what you have available to you for resources but that would be the better way.
If you are just trying to get it done, sure! Ask it to coach you rather than to complete parts for you. Ask it for word replacements as needed. Better than that, write your paper, take your phone, record yourself reading the essay back to your phone. Then watch it. Does it make sense? Are you saying something that sounds right as it is written?
Lastly, you can use AI to transcribe what you are saying. If you can say what you need to but have a hard time writing it, then try that. I think word and most OSs have diction capabilities built in (and have for years now). Just try to think about how you can keep your voice when writing no matter what. Use the tools you already have, but also boast the skills you already have.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Ava
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Ava,
Using tools is great, but sometimes the journey is what really matters in an assignment. Just like solving a tough math problem without a calculator can boost your understanding, tackling tasks on your own helps build your problem-solving skills.
AI is fantastic and will be a helpful tool in your future job, much like a calculator. However, your personal reasoning and skills are what truly set you apart.
Writing an essay isn't about right or wrong; it's about spending time on the task. This process helps you improve your writing, understanding, and reasoning skills, all of which are valuable in your career. Working through an essay and rephrasing sentences on your own strengthens your abilities and gets you ready for the future.
Using tools is great, but sometimes the journey is what really matters in an assignment. Just like solving a tough math problem without a calculator can boost your understanding, tackling tasks on your own helps build your problem-solving skills.
AI is fantastic and will be a helpful tool in your future job, much like a calculator. However, your personal reasoning and skills are what truly set you apart.
Writing an essay isn't about right or wrong; it's about spending time on the task. This process helps you improve your writing, understanding, and reasoning skills, all of which are valuable in your career. Working through an essay and rephrasing sentences on your own strengthens your abilities and gets you ready for the future.
Thank you! I appreciate your advice.
Ava
Updated
Steffen’s Answer
Hi Ava,
I would also say it depends. On what? On the way how you intend to use it. That is what I am trying to teach my own children. AI has the potential to help you learn - learn better, learn more in less time - but it also has the potential to make your grey matter wither.
My advice would be to never simply ask it for an answer, anything that makes you think less will cost you in the long run and "dumb you down". But as long as you see it like a tutor, someone who can help you satisfy your curiosity by finding connections that you didn't know before, or explain concepts in new ways, then I believe it is genuinely enhancing your journey and not hindering it.
It also depends on what model to use - I find Gemini generally really good at testing your knowledge, guiding you in structuring content etc. Proof-reading content - well yeah - but you don't really need AI for that - spellchecker could do that for years. And trying to re-write to get a better style - hm that is a slippery slope. Again I think if you see it as a tutor who makes suggestions, you then digest these suggestions and KEEP THINKING ( that is the crucial part), e.g. why does this sound better, why does it flow better etc. - then you learn from it and shape YOUR OWN STYLE. If you just click and accept the suggestion, not only will your product no longer be YOUR product (i.e. not authentic, borderline cheating, depending on the assignment rules), you will also do yourself a huge disservice in the long run.
Best of luck in figuring out how to best navigate this - it's not easy!
Steffen
PS: and if you really want to lock in and find your best relationship with AI, I recommend to read on of Ray Kurzweil's books - it will make you see things differently I promise
I would also say it depends. On what? On the way how you intend to use it. That is what I am trying to teach my own children. AI has the potential to help you learn - learn better, learn more in less time - but it also has the potential to make your grey matter wither.
My advice would be to never simply ask it for an answer, anything that makes you think less will cost you in the long run and "dumb you down". But as long as you see it like a tutor, someone who can help you satisfy your curiosity by finding connections that you didn't know before, or explain concepts in new ways, then I believe it is genuinely enhancing your journey and not hindering it.
It also depends on what model to use - I find Gemini generally really good at testing your knowledge, guiding you in structuring content etc. Proof-reading content - well yeah - but you don't really need AI for that - spellchecker could do that for years. And trying to re-write to get a better style - hm that is a slippery slope. Again I think if you see it as a tutor who makes suggestions, you then digest these suggestions and KEEP THINKING ( that is the crucial part), e.g. why does this sound better, why does it flow better etc. - then you learn from it and shape YOUR OWN STYLE. If you just click and accept the suggestion, not only will your product no longer be YOUR product (i.e. not authentic, borderline cheating, depending on the assignment rules), you will also do yourself a huge disservice in the long run.
Best of luck in figuring out how to best navigate this - it's not easy!
Steffen
PS: and if you really want to lock in and find your best relationship with AI, I recommend to read on of Ray Kurzweil's books - it will make you see things differently I promise
Thank you so much for your answer. I definitely need to hang on to all the grey matter I can : )
Ava
Updated
Jin’s Answer
You create a sentence or paragraph with your ideas. Then, you ask AI to make it clearer, fix any awkward wording, improve the flow, make it sound more academic, correct grammar and punctuation, and reduce repetition. You keep your original meaning but make your writing clearer and more effective.
Thank you for your answer
Ava
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Before AI, I wrote everything myself, building strong writing skills. Now, with a few books published, I use AI for brainstorming and grammar checks, but I always control the final product. AI offers suggestions, but I decide the themes and direction. Some schools may not allow AI in certain situations, so it's wise to check their rules.
Remember, AI is just a tool; you are the author.
Remember, AI is just a tool; you are the author.