How to Write Better with AI: A Practical Guide

CC BY 4.0
AI can be a powerful writing partner—but only if you know how to use it well. ## Start with Your Own Ideas Don't ask AI to generate ideas from nothing. Start with your rough thoughts, then ask AI to: - Clarify your argument - Suggest better structure - Find gaps in your reasoning The best AI-assisted writing still has *your* voice and *your* ideas at the core. ## Use AI for Iteration, Not First Drafts Write a messy first draft yourself. Then ask AI to: - Tighten wordy sentences - Vary sentence rhythm - Strengthen transitions between paragraphs - Cut unnecessary words This preserves your voice while improving clarity. ## Be Specific in Your Prompts Bad: "Make this better" Good: "Shorten this paragraph to 3 sentences while keeping the main argument" The more specific your request, the more useful the output. ## Always Edit the Output AI suggestions are starting points, not final answers. Read everything critically: - Does this sound like me? - Is the meaning exactly right? - Would I actually say this? If not, revise. Your judgment is the final filter. ## When to Publish You've written something worth sharing when: - It helps someone solve a problem - It explains something in a new way - It captures an idea you want to remember Don't let good writing die in a chat window. Share it. --- *Written with AI assistance. Curated by a human.*