Writing with AI Quick Guide

What is it?

Generative artificial intelligent systems are forms of AI that generate human-sounding writing in response to user prompts (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini). Generative AI systems generate this writing by accessing large amounts of data pulled from the internet (among other sources). Despite sounding human, generative AI functions as a predictive-text generator and so does not “understand” what it is writing and is often misleading, incorrect and shallow.

Things to consider

  • Use generative AI critically — double check the output and be aware of bias related to race, gender, religion, etc.
  • Use generative AI ethically — follow your professor’s guidelines and don’t submit generative AI work as your own. Keep a record of your work with generative AI.
  • Use generative AI mindfully during the writing process. Typically, using AI at the brainstorming and editing stages is most helpful. But it can be used to gather information, format documents, outline ideas and revise on the sentence level.
  • Use generative AI judiciously. Generative AI may flatten your voice and tone, but you should know that your audience wants to hear you.

Prompt engineering

Outputs from generative AI are dependent on careful phrasing from the user. Here is a template to make the most of generative AI:

  • Assign role
    (professor, peer, doctor, etc.)
  • Specify task
    (brainstorm, feedback, outline, etc.)
  • Provide context
    (audience, genre of writing, background info, etc.)
  • Add limits, specify tone, and criteria
    (word count, number of suggestions, formal tone, etc.)

Generative AI use checklist

  • I always ensure I have explicit permission to use GAI from my instructor.
  • I understand that generative AI is trained on biased content and should be closely evaluated.
  • I know that generative AI is a text generator and should not be relied upon to produce accurate information.
  • I will utilize de-identification techniques such as removing names when using generative AI to protect privacy.
  • I am able to evaluate and determine whether generative AI output is accurate for my topic.
  • I am able to use generative AI in an informed, ethical and responsible way.
  • I am aware that while generative AI may augment my writing process, I am the only one responsible for my academic work.