Competing with AI: Good writing skills matter more than ever.
By Kristina Knobelsdorff, PhDGeneral Education Advice, Student Mastery, Writing TrainingAI Generated Writing All Sounds the Same
Even the best AI writing tools are programmed by people other than you. What’s more, AI-generated writing all sounds pretty much the same. It can’t possibly reflect your unique voice. No matter how “good” a piece of AI writing might be, it won’t help you stand out from the rest of the AI “crowd.” And when it comes to important things like applying for college or scholarships, you’ll want to distinguishing yourself from the thousands of other applicants. The best way to do this–and sometimes the only way–is through your essays.
Trusting in AI “Writers” Is Risky
Aside from the ethics of using generative AI for college app essays or similar purposes, it’s a bit risky trusting AI with such important writing. Can AI really get to the core of who you are? Will AI produce an essay that reflects the best “you” to get you noticed by college admissions? Will the AI essay sound authentic? How will you know? Do you really want to entrust your academic future to a computer?
Using AI Means Letting AI Think for You
Arguably the best reason to develop good writing skills is that writing helps you think. When you’re actively writing about something, you’re developing knowledge and deepening your understanding about it. Many million-dollar ideas have been born this way. Just ask the founder and former CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos. When employees had new ideas to present, they had to explain them in 6-page narrative essays. Through writing, they transformed half-baked ideas into actionable and lucrative plans. So, if you thought narrative writing was just something designed by English teachers to annoy you, think again.
Writing can help you grow your brain and your knowledge. Although it might be easier and faster now to let AI do your writing for you, this means you’re letting AI do your thinking and your learning too. Investing the time and energy now to develop solid writing skills will pay you big dividends down the road.
If you think that writing ability is something people are either born with or not, you’re wrong. Learning how to write effectively is a bit like learning a new language–only easier! There’s no magic formula. Anyone can learn the essential skills, no matter what their level.
If you’d like to become a better writer, we offer flexible, customized writing programs and tutoring plans to meet all levels and needs. Click here to find out more about our writing tutoring options at The Learning Consultants.
Kristina joined The Learning Consultants in 2007, shortly after completing her PhD in English at the University of Connecticut. With a decade of coaching teachers and students behind her, Kristina now heads the Department of Writing Mastery. She derives great satisfaction helping students of all ages become skilled and confident writers. full bio