The curse of the blank page! We’ve all been there and it’s frustrating. When you’re stuck, it’s tempting to turn to GenAI to get something written faster and (seemingly) easier.
Using ChatGPT or Copilot to write your assignment could get you in trouble. Instead, here are five tips for using GenAI with integrity. Note: While these suggestions are generally acceptable, always check the GenAI policy for your course or assignment. If in doubt, ask your instructor or TA.
Tip #1 – Feeling stuck and don’t know where to start?
You have your assignment question and some ideas, but you don’t know where to begin. In the GenAI chat, start by summarizing your topic and your ideas in your own words. Don't copy the assignment questions directly into the chat, as this is a type of plagiarism.
Sample prompt: “I'm writing an essay for my first-year political science course about terrorism and radical political protest. I have an idea that political protest can transform into terrorism, but that it can also sometimes be falsely called terrorism. Give me some ideas for where to begin.”
The result: Copilot gives me a numbered list of ways I could start on my topic, including:
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Defining key terms or examining how they are defined by different groups and bodies
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Placing terrorism and protest concepts along a spectrum and considering what factors move them up and down the spectrum
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Using examples from history as case studies
Hint: The ideas that GenAI provides at this early stage are unrefined. Use them to continue brainstorming on your own or to start researching at the Library.
Tip #2 – Writing something new
It’s your first lab report, and you are unsure how to write your introduction. You can use GenAI to learn what an introduction should include and to see general examples of introductions for your context. Because GenAI can get things wrong, ask it to provide reliable sources for its suggestions and verify its advice.
Sample prompt: “How do I write an introduction to an ecology field lab report, and what should be included? Provide an example of a field lab report introduction appropriate for a first-year university course. Cite your advice using resources from university libraries, writing centres and other professional guides."
The result: From this prompt, Copilot gives me a list of five things I should include along with a breakdown of each one to guide me. For example, here’s the first item on the list:
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Background Information:
- Briefly describe the ecosystem or habitat you studied (e.g., forest, wetland, grassland).
- Mention key ecological concepts relevant to your study (e.g., biodiversity, trophic interactions, succession, nutrient cycling).
- Include previous research or known information about the area or species involved, if applicable.
When working on resumes, GenAI has been a helpful tool when provided with the right prompts. Using your own bullet points, it can provide examples of ways to refine your resume by suggesting ways to improve word choice, clarity, and organization to best suit the job!
Tip #3 – Trouble with transitions?
Many university students have trouble creating links between ideas, sentences, or paragraphs, which instructors often call "flow". GenAI gives great tips on making connections effectively and showing examples of these strategies.
Sample prompt: “What are some ways to move from one paragraph to another in an essay?”
The result: Copilot gives me suggestions for transition words and types of sentences I can use to start a new paragraph by linking back to what I’ve already written. I can easily adapt some of these ideas for my work.
Tip #4 – I don’t know how to say this!
Finding the right words can be hard, especially when you’re new to a subject. Academic language and phrasing (sometimes called academic discourse) takes time to feel confident with. There are great non-GenAI resources available, or you can ask GenAI for help.
Sample prompt: “I'm writing an essay about climate change, but I think I'm saying "climate change" too much. What other phrases can I use?”
The result: Copilot gives me a list of synonyms and contextual phrases. If I’m not sure about one of them, I can next ask it to define it more specifically and give me an example of its use in context.
Tip #5 – A simple guide
It’s generally ok to use GenAI to get general starting information (like with Wikipedia) or as a personalized search engine to get general examples and tips for your needs. One way to remember how to stay safe if you’re not allowed to use GenAI is: Don’t copy. Don’t paste.
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Don’t copy directly from GenAI outputs or revise GenAI outputs on your topic. This includes suggestions for essay outlines and thesis statements, which these tools often offer.
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Don’t paste your work into GenAI for the tool to edit it or to translate it into English. And don’t paste other people’s work into GenAI, such as your instructor’s assignment instructions or text from a research source.
BONUS TIP!
Yes, this is a pitch, but you can get help with all of the above and more by meeting with a peer tutor or staff advisor at the Writing and Communication Centre. It’s like having your own personal writing coach! Students describe the WCC as their “secret weapon” and often tell us they wish they’d found us sooner. Hope to see you soon!
Want more insight on how to use GenAI in accordance with the University's guidelines? Check out the link below!