How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance essay writing skills

AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionising how learners approach essay writing. When used correctly, these tools can save time and enhance creativity. However, improper use can lead to generic and unengaging essays. It can also rob the learner of a chance to practice their creative writing skills – a skill required for the final Grade 12 exam.

As an English teacher with a son in Grade 12, I know all too well that learners often abuse this new technology by asking it to write their whole essay. We can’t stop learners from using the technology, so it is our job as parents, teachers, and tutors to guide them on using AI effectively and ethically.

Common mistakes when using AI for essays

When using AI for their essays, most learners make a few common mistakes. Let’s look at how to avoid them to craft a unique and ethical piece of writing. For example: The following topic prompt (that could be an essay or speech topic) is our starting point.

Mistake: Most students simply type the whole topic into ChatGPT and ask the smart technology to write a 600-word essay. ChatGPT will most likely generate a generic, superficial extract filled with Americanisms (spelling with ‘z’), a lack of pronouns and no personalisation.

Suggestion: Take the generic extract generated by ChatGPT and help the learner make it their own. Here's how:

• Take each paragraph and edit it by adding relevant pronouns and appropriate adjectives or adverbs.
• Personalise it by including relevant details and specific examples unique to the learner. This will require creative thinking and result in the learner’s “voice” coming through when the text is read.
• Ensure they correct spelling and syntax errors, which will help them practice their grammar skills.

Let’s look at the result:

Practical strategies for using AI in essay writing

Personalising a piece of generic content created by AI is just one of the ways in which learners can use AI to streamline the writing process. Here are a few practical strategies for using AI in essay writing:

• Use AI to brainstorm like a boss

If your learner is stuck on a topic for their essay, AI can be their brainstorming buddy and give them additional motivation. Feed in relevant keywords and watch it generate ideas and outlines to fit any topic. This jumpstart can ignite your learner’s creativity and get those mental juices flowing.

Read more: Do’s and don’ts of online learning

• Break the topic down into different parts

Another approach to using these tools is to break a topic down by generating a result paragraph by paragraph. This will require some effort on the part of the learner as they would need to analyse the given topic and insert prompts for the various parts of the essay (introduction, body, and conclusion). Let’s look at an example of an AI prompt learners can use:

Acting as a Grade 12 student nearing the end of her schooling career, write a concluding paragraph of no more than 50 words in a reflective style of travelling along a path that diverges.

Also read: Picking the right path: Career choices after matric

• Enrich essays with AI-powered intertextuality

Referencing different contexts, like a poem, song, or movie, can add depth and thoughtfulness to your learner’s content. By analysing essay themes and vast databases, AI can recommend relevant and unexpected references, saving learners time and sparking fresh connections that deepen their text analysis.

• Use AI to research on autopilot

AI tools can also be used as super-efficient research assistants that scour the web for relevant sources. Many AI tools can find relevant scholarly articles, journals, and data to support your learner’s arguments, saving them hours of library drudgery. Ensure your learner double-checks that the sources are credible, as many AI tools cite incorrect or fabricated sources.

• Use AI as a structure sensei for essay writing

If your learner has finished writing their essay, have them copy and paste the final product into an AI tool and ask it to analyse the essay to see if it follows a proper essay structure (introduction, body, and conclusion). The AI can analyse the text to ensure the essay flows logically and persuasively. This technique will help your learner look critically at their own written work to see where it can be improved – a helpful skill to have come exam time.

In conclusion, AI tools can be a powerful addition to your students' writing toolkit. By leveraging AI generators like ChatGPT, they can save time and explore creative avenues for their writing. However, to ensure responsible and effective use, educators and parents play a crucial role in guiding students to develop critical thinking and ethical application of these tools. This way, we can empower Generation Z and Alpha to become independent thinkers who can not only utilise AI but also critically analyse the information it provides.