The Ultimate Guide to AI Essay: 6 Steps with Example Prompts
Struggling to write essays? AI has your back. With the right ways and smart tools, you can turn essay writing into a creative, stress-free process. In this guide, we’ll break down six simple steps to craft a killer AI essay that’s polished, original, and totally you. Let’s dive in.
1 Choose the Right Tool
The right tool can make writing an essay much faster and easier. Need help with generating ideas? Want to structure your essay properly? Aren’t sure your piece has no mistakes? There’s a tool for every step of the process. Take a look at some of the best assistants for your AI essay:
- Grammarly. This AI-driven writing companion is ideal for identifying mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and style. It’s especially useful for making your essays polished and professional. Bonus: Grammarly also has a built-in plagiarism checker to make sure your essay is original.
- QuillBot. Recognized for its ability to paraphrase and summarize, it’s excellent for rewording complex sentences or shortening lengthy paragraphs. QuillBot is also equipped with grammar-checking and citation tools.
- Forma. If you’re looking for an all-in-one tool, Forma is the perfect choice. As a PDF editor, it goes beyond helping you brainstorm ideas, structure outlines, and refine drafts. With Forma, you can scan existing documents, convert them, and then rework their content. This tool is ideal for students and professionals aiming for the best results. Thanks to its intuitive mobile design, it’s perfect for anyone on the go.
2 Define Your Essay Topic
The right topic can make or break your essay, but let’s be honest: brainstorming can feel overwhelming. That’s where an AI comes in handy. It can help you explore ideas based on your interests or the type of essay you need to write.
For example, if you need an argumentative essay, ask your AI text generator for pros and cons of a topic. For something descriptive, focus on a single aspect and dive deep. AI is great at generating fresh ideas and breaking through writer’s block.
Example prompt:
I need help choosing an essay topic. The essay should focus on [insert general subject or theme, e.g., “environmental issues”, “technology and society”, “’literature analysis”]. Could you suggest a few unique and engaging topics that fit within this area and explain why they would be interesting to explore?
Pro tip: Choose a topic that genuinely excites you. Writing about topics that matter to you can make the experience more enjoyable (and less painful!).
3 Create an Essay Outline
Outlines are your roadmap to a well-organized essay. Without one, you can easily become distracted or overlook key details. AI tools can help you structure your ideas by generating outlines based on the topic you supply.
Your outline should typically include:
- Introduction—a hook and thesis statement
- Body paragraphs—key arguments or points, supported by evidence
- Conclusion—a summary and final thoughts
Example prompt:
Help me create an outline for my essay on [insert essay topic]. The essay should follow this structure: [insert structure, e.g., “introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion”]. Could you organize the main points, subpoints, and any evidence or examples that would support my argument effectively?
Starting with an outline not only keeps your AI essay focused but also saves time during the writing process. Apps like Forma can create tailored outlines for your essay style in a snap: simply type in your topic, and boom—you’ve got a solid outline ready to go. Even better, you can scan or upload existing material with the app, and it will suggest relevant topics and outlines for a similar essay.
4 Draft Your Essay
Once your outline is ready, it’s time to create a draft. This is where the magic happens! Feed your outline into an AI documents generator, and let the tool generate a draft for your AI essay.
AI will give you a first draft, which you can tweak and build upon. Think of it as a rough sketch—you’ll still need to add your personal flair and refine it. However, it’s a solid starting point.
Example prompt:
Help me draft an essay on [insert topic]. Here’s the outline I have: [insert outline]. Write a detailed introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Focus on making the argument clear, cohesive, and engaging, while incorporating examples and evidence as necessary.
5 Edit and Refine
Editing is where your essay goes from “okay” to “amazing.” AI tools are super helpful here. They can refine your grammar, enhance the flow of your sentences, and make sure your ideas connect logically.
That said, don’t rely on AI alone. Read through your AI essay with fresh eyes and make sure it feels like you. Are your arguments convincing? Does the essay reflect your personality and perspective?
Example prompt:
Here is my essay draft: [insert text of the draft]. Could you review it and suggest edits to improve its clarity, structure, tone, and flow? Focus on making the arguments more concise, improving transitions between paragraphs, and enhancing the overall readability.
A little effort in the editing phase goes a long way. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.
Pro tip. Already have an essay but need to present it? With tools like Forma, you can easily repurpose your content. The app allows you to rework the style and format of your essay, making it suitable for different purposes. So you can take work you’ve already done and easily use it for a structured presentation.
6 Proofread Like a Pro
Proofreading is your final step on this journey. Even the finest essays can fall short if they contain numerous typos or clumsy wording. AI tools are great for spotting mistakes, but don’t stop there. Always do a manual proofread, too.
Here’s a simple trick: read your essay out loud. This helps you catch any weird phrasing or awkward transitions. Also, double-check facts, especially if your essay includes data or stats.
Example prompt:
Here is my essay: [insert text of the essay]. Proofread it for grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure issues. Ensure that the writing adheres to [e.g., American/British English standards] and is free of any errors.
By the end of this step, your essay should be polished, professional, and ready to impress. And Forma’s mobile app can assist with quick edits and proofreading, no matter where you are.
7 Bonus Tips for Writing the Perfect AI Essay
These are helpful tips on how to use AI for essay writing like a pro:
- Be clear with your prompts. When using AI, the clearer your instructions, the better your results.
- Add personal touches. AI can’t replicate your unique voice. So make sure your essay reflects your ideas and insights.
- Fact-check everything. AI tools occasionally get things wrong. Always verify key information before submitting.
- Learn as you go. Pay attention to the suggestions an AI documents generator makes. It’s an excellent way to boost your writing over time.
8 Remember This
AI tools are powerful but not perfect. They may produce content too similar to existing sources, so always check for plagiarism. Plus, AI lacks human critical thinking, so add your unique perspective. On top of that, don’t over-rely on AI but use it to support (not replace) your growth as a writer.