Well the time has come that I've made the shift to "let's teach them how to use AI." Thank you for being a guide on this journey, even when I was not keen on joining it. Next week I present to my smaller team how to discuss AI with students and your work is going to be invaluable (and attributed properly!).
This is marvellous! So very grateful to you for sharing.
This is such a great way to build an explicit understanding of the human. I’ve been wondering whether spelling mistakes and other idiosyncrasies might become markers of authenticity. But then I wonder whether someone will make a GPT called ‘authentic voice’ or similar! 🤣 No wonder I don’t sleep!
Two things my highschool-aged children did the week after ChatGPT hit: learned to prompt it to train in their own writing style; and added the prompt "put two random spelling errors and two random grammar errors somewhere in the paper."
Very interesting approach. Thank you for sharing it! Great fodder as I begin thinking about models for assurance of learning in our faculty. So grateful!
Interesting that your rubric includes a criterion for voice. I wonder how you’ve gone measuring that? Will there come and time when it will be impossible to disentangle? I hope not of course. But very keen to hear your experiences.
Voice is your unique view, your writing personality. It's created through the use of language, phrasing, tone, mood, and feelings.
Think about how you describe your favorite writers. The adjectives you use probably characterize their voices - funny, heartfelt, easy-going, technical, friendly, somber, optimistic, bitter, or opinionated. You come to expect a particular voice in all their writing and probably find mismatched pieces less interesting or harder to follow.
Compare these two paragraphs, a paragraph written by a student and an AI-generated writing.
---
Example 1
The first paragraph is written in a personal voice as it uses the words and phrases a student really speaks. It has personality.
When I need a place to work on my writings I head to the library after school. I arrive at the library and realize that lots of other people use this place as their writing and working area as well. I look for a spot with a computer as many other people in the library are also using the computers. When I find one, I head to it and put my bag on the floor and sit down as I take out what I need. As you hear the sound of my keyboard making noises as I log in, I’m thinking of ideas in my head on what to write about. My writing space consists of a large table with a large amount of space to put my notebook, my pens, my pencil pouch, my phone, and my water bottle. I first use my colorful pens to brainstorm in my plain black notebook. After I get some ideas written down all over my notebook, I decide on what idea I liked the most and go to a word document on the library computer. I prefer doing my writings on a computer than on my notebook. As I do my writing all I am facing is the big screen of the computer seeing how my words are getting typed down on my word document. Around me is other people so focused on their work. Using the tables to do their work or just how I am, using the computers.
---
Example 2
This paragraph is written by ChatGPT. Notice how it is filled with high-flown and overly formal, academic vocabulary that make it sound artificial and generic. Read it sentence by sentence and notice how each sentence sounds pretentious and unnatural.
When I require a designated haven to delve into my writing post-school hours, my instinct leads me to the library. As I step inside, it's clear that the library serves as a hub for various individuals seeking a serene corner to engage in their intellectual pursuits. Among the bustling atmosphere, I embark on a quest to secure an unoccupied computer station, a prized commodity amid fellow library-goers. With my chosen station claimed, I calmly settle in, carefully placing my bag on the floor before taking my seat. As I begin the login process, the rhythmic tap-tap of my keyboard acts as the backdrop to my thoughts, which are already swirling with potential ideas for my writing. At my disposal is a spacious table, capacious enough to accommodate my notebook, a medley of vibrant pens, a pencil case, my smartphone, and a trusty water bottle. To spark the creative flow, I employ the vivid pens to document a flurry of ideas on the pages of my unassuming black notebook. Once this initial surge subsides, the task at hand becomes discerning the most promising concept. This is where the digital realm beckons. I transition to a word processing software on the library's computer, a choice driven not only by pragmatism but also by the shared preference of my fellow patrons. With my gaze fixed on the luminous screen, my fingers continue to dance, transcribing my thoughts into the digital realm. In my peripheral view, a tableau of peers mirrors my concentrated focus, each engrossed in their academic or creative pursuits. Much like me, they've claimed tables for their endeavors or are navigating the digital landscape. What sets this space apart is the absence of intrusive scents or cacophonous distractions – an environment that bolsters my concentration. Amid the subdued ambience, punctuated solely by the rhythmic chorus of typing, the intermittent hum of the printer, and the subtle chime of notifications, my words unfold. This amalgamation of elements culminates in a harmony of illumination.
---
Never use AI to pass as your own writing! It feels pretentious. It feels fake. Everyone can tell it is not personal. If you use AI to generate ideas or revise your writing for vocubulary and grammar, always proofread it and get rid of all the words that you do not know and/or cannot pronounce.
WAYS TO CREATE A STRONG PERSONAL VOICE
Some of the ways to create a strong personal voice are through language, storytelling, and emotion.
1. Language
Use language that supports your personality. For example, the "Intelligent Marketer's" language and choice of words will be very different from the "Street Smart Marketer." One might describe a campaign as "ineffective" while the other might say it was an "epic fail." Or describing a ladybug as "cute" contradicts the "Cranky Gardener's" voice.
Write for your ideal reader. Think of the type of person you want to reach and write as if you are speaking directly to him or her.
Use the words and phrasing your reader uses and understands. Will he be more interested in a humorous piece or is he expecting a strong opinion? Is she looking for a world view or does she prefer a local perspective? Use your voice to help you connect with your audience.
2. Storytelling
When you tell a story from your perspective, every description and sentence is unique to you and your experience. While your view may be similar to someone else's, you bring your own personality, feelings, and reactions to the events. Ask two people to describe the same movie. One might focus on the plot and writing, while the other talks about the actors and the special effects. No one will give you the same answer.
3. Emotion
Writing that expresses and evokes emotion is better received and remembered. Writing with honest emotion shows that you care about the subject, that it's important to you. Readers who respond emotionally become invested in what you have to say. At first, you may find it difficult to reveal so much of yourself in your writing, but when you start getting a good response, you'll find it's worth it.
Creating your personal writing voice may take some trial and error. Start with what feels most natural to you and pay attention to the results. Note your readers' responses to a particular type of content or technique and repeat what they respond to positively. Ask friends or colleagues to describe your writing to see if their description matches the voice you tried to convey.
When your voice is clear and consistent, it becomes part of your distinctive brand.
Well the time has come that I've made the shift to "let's teach them how to use AI." Thank you for being a guide on this journey, even when I was not keen on joining it. Next week I present to my smaller team how to discuss AI with students and your work is going to be invaluable (and attributed properly!).
Any time you need help, Linda, don't fail to reach out!!
This is marvellous! So very grateful to you for sharing.
This is such a great way to build an explicit understanding of the human. I’ve been wondering whether spelling mistakes and other idiosyncrasies might become markers of authenticity. But then I wonder whether someone will make a GPT called ‘authentic voice’ or similar! 🤣 No wonder I don’t sleep!
Two things my highschool-aged children did the week after ChatGPT hit: learned to prompt it to train in their own writing style; and added the prompt "put two random spelling errors and two random grammar errors somewhere in the paper."
Very interesting approach. Thank you for sharing it! Great fodder as I begin thinking about models for assurance of learning in our faculty. So grateful!
Interesting that your rubric includes a criterion for voice. I wonder how you’ve gone measuring that? Will there come and time when it will be impossible to disentangle? I hope not of course. But very keen to hear your experiences.
We teach voice in our course, and what that means: tone, style, and personality in writing. Here is the lesson we teach our students, directly from our course, adopted from Linda Stacy <https://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/strong-personal-voice.html>.
WRITING TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG PERSONAL VOICE
Voice is your unique view, your writing personality. It's created through the use of language, phrasing, tone, mood, and feelings.
Think about how you describe your favorite writers. The adjectives you use probably characterize their voices - funny, heartfelt, easy-going, technical, friendly, somber, optimistic, bitter, or opinionated. You come to expect a particular voice in all their writing and probably find mismatched pieces less interesting or harder to follow.
Compare these two paragraphs, a paragraph written by a student and an AI-generated writing.
---
Example 1
The first paragraph is written in a personal voice as it uses the words and phrases a student really speaks. It has personality.
When I need a place to work on my writings I head to the library after school. I arrive at the library and realize that lots of other people use this place as their writing and working area as well. I look for a spot with a computer as many other people in the library are also using the computers. When I find one, I head to it and put my bag on the floor and sit down as I take out what I need. As you hear the sound of my keyboard making noises as I log in, I’m thinking of ideas in my head on what to write about. My writing space consists of a large table with a large amount of space to put my notebook, my pens, my pencil pouch, my phone, and my water bottle. I first use my colorful pens to brainstorm in my plain black notebook. After I get some ideas written down all over my notebook, I decide on what idea I liked the most and go to a word document on the library computer. I prefer doing my writings on a computer than on my notebook. As I do my writing all I am facing is the big screen of the computer seeing how my words are getting typed down on my word document. Around me is other people so focused on their work. Using the tables to do their work or just how I am, using the computers.
---
Example 2
This paragraph is written by ChatGPT. Notice how it is filled with high-flown and overly formal, academic vocabulary that make it sound artificial and generic. Read it sentence by sentence and notice how each sentence sounds pretentious and unnatural.
When I require a designated haven to delve into my writing post-school hours, my instinct leads me to the library. As I step inside, it's clear that the library serves as a hub for various individuals seeking a serene corner to engage in their intellectual pursuits. Among the bustling atmosphere, I embark on a quest to secure an unoccupied computer station, a prized commodity amid fellow library-goers. With my chosen station claimed, I calmly settle in, carefully placing my bag on the floor before taking my seat. As I begin the login process, the rhythmic tap-tap of my keyboard acts as the backdrop to my thoughts, which are already swirling with potential ideas for my writing. At my disposal is a spacious table, capacious enough to accommodate my notebook, a medley of vibrant pens, a pencil case, my smartphone, and a trusty water bottle. To spark the creative flow, I employ the vivid pens to document a flurry of ideas on the pages of my unassuming black notebook. Once this initial surge subsides, the task at hand becomes discerning the most promising concept. This is where the digital realm beckons. I transition to a word processing software on the library's computer, a choice driven not only by pragmatism but also by the shared preference of my fellow patrons. With my gaze fixed on the luminous screen, my fingers continue to dance, transcribing my thoughts into the digital realm. In my peripheral view, a tableau of peers mirrors my concentrated focus, each engrossed in their academic or creative pursuits. Much like me, they've claimed tables for their endeavors or are navigating the digital landscape. What sets this space apart is the absence of intrusive scents or cacophonous distractions – an environment that bolsters my concentration. Amid the subdued ambience, punctuated solely by the rhythmic chorus of typing, the intermittent hum of the printer, and the subtle chime of notifications, my words unfold. This amalgamation of elements culminates in a harmony of illumination.
---
Never use AI to pass as your own writing! It feels pretentious. It feels fake. Everyone can tell it is not personal. If you use AI to generate ideas or revise your writing for vocubulary and grammar, always proofread it and get rid of all the words that you do not know and/or cannot pronounce.
WAYS TO CREATE A STRONG PERSONAL VOICE
Some of the ways to create a strong personal voice are through language, storytelling, and emotion.
1. Language
Use language that supports your personality. For example, the "Intelligent Marketer's" language and choice of words will be very different from the "Street Smart Marketer." One might describe a campaign as "ineffective" while the other might say it was an "epic fail." Or describing a ladybug as "cute" contradicts the "Cranky Gardener's" voice.
Write for your ideal reader. Think of the type of person you want to reach and write as if you are speaking directly to him or her.
Use the words and phrasing your reader uses and understands. Will he be more interested in a humorous piece or is he expecting a strong opinion? Is she looking for a world view or does she prefer a local perspective? Use your voice to help you connect with your audience.
2. Storytelling
When you tell a story from your perspective, every description and sentence is unique to you and your experience. While your view may be similar to someone else's, you bring your own personality, feelings, and reactions to the events. Ask two people to describe the same movie. One might focus on the plot and writing, while the other talks about the actors and the special effects. No one will give you the same answer.
3. Emotion
Writing that expresses and evokes emotion is better received and remembered. Writing with honest emotion shows that you care about the subject, that it's important to you. Readers who respond emotionally become invested in what you have to say. At first, you may find it difficult to reveal so much of yourself in your writing, but when you start getting a good response, you'll find it's worth it.
Creating your personal writing voice may take some trial and error. Start with what feels most natural to you and pay attention to the results. Note your readers' responses to a particular type of content or technique and repeat what they respond to positively. Ask friends or colleagues to describe your writing to see if their description matches the voice you tried to convey.
When your voice is clear and consistent, it becomes part of your distinctive brand.