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8 Beginner Tips for Using AI in Your Writing
 August 28, 2025    General

AI is officially in the writing world, and it’s not going anywhere. Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone still deciding if you trust a robot with your words, you’ve probably noticed the buzz around artificial intelligence tools for writing. The temptation is real with faster drafts, smarter suggestions, and even help overcoming the dreaded writer’s block. But here’s the big question:

Can AI actually help you write better without turning your work into a soulless pile of word salad?

The short answer? Yes, but only if you know how to use it wisely.

Just like using a calculator doesn’t make you bad at math, using AI doesn’t make you less of a writer. But you do need to understand how to work with it, not rely on it to do all the thinking. If you treat it like a shortcut to greatness, you’re likely to trip over your own laziness. But treat it like a creative assistant, and you’re golden.

Here are eight beginner-friendly tips to help you use AI for writing in a way that feels natural, smart, and ethical.

1. Understand What AI Can (and Can’t) Do

Let’s start with a bit of real talk. AI tools are impressive, but they’re not magic. They don’t “know” things the way humans do. They don’t think, feel, or understand context in the way your brain does.

What they can do:

  • Generate ideas quickly

  • Write grammatically correct text

  • Help you find structure or tone

  • Improve readability

  • Rewrite for clarity

What they can’t do:

  • Guarantee factual accuracy

  • Understand complex nuance

  • Replace your personal voice

  • Sense emotional or cultural context

  • Make ethical decisions

Treat AI like a really smart autocomplete. It works based on patterns, not wisdom. If you’re writing something emotional, persuasive, or deeply personal, you’ll need to do the heavy lifting.

For a helpful breakdown of what AI writing tools can and can’t do, check out Harvard Business Review’s article on how generative AI works.

2. Choose the Right Tool for Your Needs

Not all AI writing tools are created equal. Some are better for business writing, while others shine in storytelling. Some are good for short-form blurbs like captions and ads, while others are built to help you write long blog posts or essays.

Popular tools to explore:

  • ChatGPT – Ideal for general writing help, brainstorming, and creative drafts.

  • Jasper – Great for marketing content, SEO writing, and quick ideas.

  • Sudowrite – Tailored more toward fiction writers and creatives.

  • GrammarlyGO – Best for rewriting and tone adjustments in emails or documents.

Before diving in, figure out what kind of help you need. Are you stuck at the start of a project? Do you need cleaner grammar? Are you looking for a clever twist in your story? Choosing the right tool makes all the difference.

You can explore a broad comparison of tools at TechRadar’s roundup of the best AI writing software.

3. Learn to Write Clear Prompts

Here’s a secret: AI is only as smart as your instructions.

If you’re typing vague prompts like “write me an article,” you’ll likely get vague results. The clearer and more specific your request, the better the AI can respond. Think of it like ordering a sandwich. If you just say “make me food,” who knows what you'll get? But if you say, “turkey sandwich with mustard, no pickles,” you’re way more likely to get something tasty.

Some examples of strong prompts:

  • “Write a blog introduction about time management tips for college students.”

  • “Give me 5 funny Instagram captions about rainy weather.”

  • “Rewrite this sentence to sound more professional.”

If you’re stuck, try using the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How method to build your prompt.

4. Mix AI Output With Your Voice

AI may be helpful, but your unique voice is the magic ingredient. Don’t just copy and paste what an AI tool gives you. Read it aloud. Does it sound like you? If not, tweak it. Add your quirks, your tone, your rhythm. That’s how you turn generic into genuine.

Even the best AI tools can churn out copy that sounds polished but a little robotic. People want to read you, not a machine. So inject some humanity. Add an anecdote. Toss in a metaphor. Make it personal.

Here’s a trick: read AI-generated sentences out loud. If it makes you cringe, rewrite it. If it feels stiff or flat, warm it up. It’s your writing, after all.

5. Use AI to Brainstorm, Not Just Draft

AI isn’t just for writing full paragraphs, it’s an amazing brainstorming buddy.

Struggling to come up with blog titles? Ask AI for ten options. Need new angles on an old topic? Prompt it for different takes. Want character names, plot twists, or metaphors? AI can give you dozens in seconds.

Here’s the fun part: the more creative your prompts, the more creative your results.

Examples of brainstorming prompts:

  • “Give me three funny comparisons for how slow the internet is.”

  • “List blog ideas about productivity for busy parents.”

  • “Suggest opening lines for a suspense novel.”

It’s like having a writing partner who never sleeps and never gets offended if you reject their ideas. That’s a win-win.

6. Always Fact-Check AI’s Info

This is not optional. One of AI’s biggest blind spots is accuracy. It’s not being sneaky, it just doesn’t have a brain that understands truth the way humans do. AI can and will make things up. This is known in tech circles as “hallucination.” Sounds dramatic, but it’s real.

That’s why fact-checking is a must. If your writing includes dates, quotes, stats, or specific details, verify every single one. Use reliable sources like government websites, reputable news outlets, and academic institutions.

If you’re using AI for professional or public content, don’t risk your credibility. Back it up.

Need help learning to spot bad info? The University of Michigan’s Library has a great guide on fact-checking and evaluating sources.

7. Avoid Plagiarism With Rewrites

AI might write faster than you, but it doesn’t automatically create original content. In fact, some tools can unintentionally mimic existing work from their training data. That puts you at risk of unintentional plagiarism.

Here’s how to play it safe:

  • Always rewrite AI-generated content in your own voice.

  • Use plagiarism checkers like Grammarly or Copyscape.

  • Don’t copy and paste entire blocks of text without making them your own.

Remember, AI is meant to assist not to replace integrity. You wouldn’t want your name on something that’s someone else’s words. Put in the effort to make it yours.

8. Treat AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement

At the end of the day, AI should work with you, not instead of you.

Think of it like using a GPS. It’s helpful, it gets you where you’re going, and it saves time but it’s your hands on the wheel. You’re the one deciding the destination. If the GPS makes a wrong turn, you don’t just blindly follow it into a lake. You use your judgment.

Same goes for writing. Use AI to brainstorm, support your process, and speed things up. But trust your instincts. Your voice, perspective, and choices are what make your writing resonate.

AI will never know your life, your culture, or your sense of humor the way you do. That’s your power. Use it.

Write Smarter, Not Lazier

Using AI in your writing isn’t cheating. It’s evolving.

You still need to think. You still need to create. But now you’ve got a new tool in your kit a tool that, when used responsibly, can help you write better, faster, and with more confidence.

Just like any tool, it works best when you understand how to use it properly. So treat AI with curiosity, not fear. Let it help you where it can, but always bring your full human self to the page.

Because while AI can draft the words, only you can make them matter.