How to use AI to become a better writer

Unless you’ve been living in a cave these last few years, you’re probably pretty familiar with the rise of all things AI. Like it or not, it’s here to stay. Do I think it’s going to take over my job? No. Do I think it’s going to help me do a better job? Yes. Why?

Because it already is.

In this post I’ll be diving into the world of generative AI and will share some tried-and-tested tips to help you make the most of this new technology.

First things first: what is generative AI?

Put (very) simply, generative AI tools (like ChatGPT) are a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content— think text, images, or music — based on patterns it has learned from vast amounts of data. These models are trained to generate content by “understanding” and responding to a given prompt and its surrounding context.

Will AI replace content writing?

We’ve all heard the scare stories. My personal opinion is that no, AI will not replace content writing. Not if you want to create good content, anyway. I’ve tried it, of course. But when I ask AI to create full paragraphs and blog content, the results have been somewhat dubious. More often than not, I’ve ended the experiment by throwing my arms up in exasperation and writing it myself.

Why? Because AI-generated text is formulaic and bland, and my attempts to get it to adopt a particular persona or tone have proven comical. Maybe my prompts aren’t up to scratch. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s that as an experienced writer, I bring an innate and nuanced understanding of language and style that artificial tools are yet to replicate.

Six ways you can use AI to be a better writer

This doesn’t mean there isn’t space for AI in my life. I love it—and I use it regularly. But not to generate text. My tool of choice is ChatGPT, although I’ve dabbled with a couple of others, including writing assistants like Grammarly and Hemingway. But still, I find myself going back to the original classic.

And it's on this experience that the following tips and tricks are built:

#1: Streamline your background research

To write about something well, you need to understand it. As ChatGPT has wiggled its way into my working life, I’ve found it a great tool for supporting my background research. Remember the days when you had to type your query into Google and then check individual websites? That’s so passé. Put your question to ChatGPT and it will not only do some of the basic research for you, it will also synthesise the answer.

To be clear, I never leave it there. I always complement this step with my own desk-based research and a thorough fact-check. But when I’m starting out on a new project, ChatGPT can offer a welcome — and very useful — starting point.

#2: Generate content ideas

Generative AI is also good for brainstorming content ideas and checking that you’ve covered your bases. Let’s say I’m writing a blog on how to use AI to become a better writer. I’ve got my own ideas, but I will also ask ChatGPT if I've missed anything obvious. I did it for this post, and while I didn’t use the results to add any new information, it was reassuring to know I’d got the foundations in place.

#3: Use it for creative inspiration

I’m a content writer, not a copywriter. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of short-form content, but I can struggle when it comes to creating titles, headers and taglines. In cases like this, I treat ChatGPT like a creative sparring partner.

“What are 10 idioms for XXXX?"

“Give me 20 well-known sayings and phrases around XXXX?”

“Here is a title I have drafted. Give me 10 creative alternatives.”

The aim here isn’t to get ChatGPT to give me the answer. It’s to get my brain thinking more creatively. By asking generative AI to come up with different words, phrases, and options, I might just find that spark that lights up a shiny new idea of my own.

#4: Break your own bad habits

If LinkedIn is to be believed, then using the em dash is a sure-fire indicator of AI-generated content. I’m here to tell you that isn’t true. I’m a HUGE fan of the em dash (always have been) and I ask ChatGPT for one I can copy and paste nearly every day (I can never remember the keyboard shortcut).

That said, I know I use them too much. I also know I can be prone to long and complex sentences. If my brain is stuck, prompts like “Write this without using an em dash, give me five options” or “Can you split this into two sentences” are a great way to break my own bad habits. Again, it’s rare that ChatGPT will give me exactly what I need. But there’s been more than one occasion when a word or phrase has helped me find a better solution.

#5: Say it in Plain English

As a writer, I specialise in health. It is a hugely varied and interesting area, but it can also be a very complex one — too much at times, for my creative and not-especially-scientific brain. AI can really help me out here.

First of all, AI is a great way to decode the jargon. If I’ve come across a sentence, context, or procedure I don’t understand, “Explain this simply, and in lay terms” or “What does this mean?” can help boost my understanding of complex topics.

I'm also not immune to sector-specific jargon. To check against this, prompts like “Write this in Plain English” can help me test the waters and see if there’s another, more accessible route my narrative can take. Again, chances are, I won’t use the exact output. But sometimes an AI-generated word or phrase is just enough to help me find the answer.

#6: Proof yourself happy

Being a professional writer makes me think about words and sentence construction in a way I never have before. In the old days, I used to call my dad — a full-on encyclopaedia of grammatical knowledge. But I’m a big girl now, so I use ChatGPT to double-check some of the more fiddly grammatical points.

When you write, it's also really easy to read what you think you've written, not what you've actually written. So I've started using ChatGPT to proof chunks of content (“Are there any typos in this? List the errors, don’t edit"). Of course, I’m always careful when I do this. I use a sandboxed account and only feed AI information that is destined for public consumption.

Is it ethical to use AI to improve your writing?

Good question. My personal opinion is that “yes”, it is — but that opinion comes with a word (or several words of caution). AI is a powerful tool, but it is also one that can be misused, intentionally and unintentionally.

As a professional writer, I would feel like a fraud if I used AI to shape my outlines or draft my content. So I don’t. But even if you’re using AI as a support tool, like I am, you need to be aware of the risks:

• AI doesn’t know everything. Never assume, always fact-check the information.

• AI-generated text comes with the risk of plagiarism. Edit, don't copy.

• AI doesn’t always use inclusive, accessible language. That, my friend, is up to you.

And of course, because AI is trained using vast amounts of available data, you need to be mindful of what you’re feeding it. I have a professional account, use temporary chats, regularly delete my conversations, and think carefully about the information I'm feeding it.

Maybe I’m too cautious. But I’d rather be that, than take an unnecessary risk. Because I am the one in control. I am the writer. It is my job to create good content. AI is a tool that can help me get there, and I treat it, and work with it, as exactly that.

Like what you read? I'm Jen, a copywriter and content creator helping health and social impact organisations make a difference. Get in touch to find out how I can help your team create change-making content with the power to do more.