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AI WRITING TIPS: Part 2—Don’t Make AI Think for You
Continuing from last week’s article about AI writing, here are four more ideas to help you use AI for writing. Use one or more of the prompts to develop your article and present your ideas:
1. Specialized Summary Mode
Prompt: “I have a text I need to summarize: [Paste Text]. Please provide the summary in [Pick one: Headline + Dek / Bullet Brief* / Abstract Style].
*If Bullet Brief, ensure you include Goal, Method, Key Finding, Implication, and Caveat.”
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2. The Source Remix
Prompt: “I have three different notes/articles: [Paste Sources/Summaries]. I want you to write a [Pick one: Agreement / Tension / Synthesis] essay based on these. Focus specifically on [where they share common ground / where they conflict / how to reconcile them into a new framework].”
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3. The Middle-Out Draft
Prompt: “I’m stuck on the intro. Let’s write the middle first. I’ll provide one body paragraph of evidence and explanation: [Paste Paragraph].
Now, backfill the rest:
- Write an Introduction that establishes the thesis implied by that paragraph.
- Write a Conclusion that explains the consequences implied by that paragraph.”
4. The Final Swap Test
Prompt: “Here is my current draft: [Paste Draft]. I want to strengthen the tone using the ‘Swap Test.’ Please rewrite the draft by swapping:
- Option A: ‘is’ to ‘should’ to make it an editorial
- Option B: ‘should’ to ‘is’ to make it purely analytical
Great writing doesn’t come from asking AI to replace your thinking—it comes from using AI to amplify it. When you provide the model with structure (constraints, question ladders, editorial frameworks, rubrics, and revision tests), you stop getting generic filler and start producing work that sounds like you: clear, intentional, and persuasive. These prompt patterns aren’t shortcuts around craft; they’re scaffolding that helps you quickly move from blank page to strong draft—while keeping your retaining your voice.
Call to Action
- Pick one framework (start with The Question Ladder) and use it on this week’s writing assignment.
- Applying a single constraint—whether length, perspective, or analytical lens—can drive originality and significantly sharpen your draft.
- Run your finished draft through the Final Swap Test, then keep the version that sounds most like your strongest professional voice.
- Save your best-performing prompt as a reusable template so every new document starts with momentum.