We all know about AI grammar and spelling checkers, but do you use AI to edit your writing?
Many writers work on their own and don’t have access to a professional editor, a proofreader, or even a helpful second pair of eyes.
Correcting obvious errors is easy with online checkers, but it’s not so easy to identify and address problems including logic, consistency, pacing, and clarity.
That’s where AI can help, by acting as your editor to give you feedback and options without rewriting your work.
Using AI to edit your writing
Unlike a human editor, you need to ask your AI assistant specific questions to get useful editing feedback.
If you generalize with prompts like “Is this okay?” or “Can you give me your feedback?” you’re unlikely to get much useful information.
For short-form writing such as articles, I’m on my own. However, AI has given me the option of a second opinion. Here’s an example of a typical prompt I use before pasting in my draft text.
“Can you check that I have covered all the major points fully in my draft, and also point out any potential SEO issues?”
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Being specific with the details you include in your prompt will help improve the response.
Take notice of the feedback you get and decide what parts you can act on to improve your first draft.
But don’t be tempted to simply copy and paste any examples or text improvements your AI assistant might provide.
AI can still get things wrong, and will usually make more changes to your text than first meets the eye.
Always protect your writing voice by acting on the suggestions only rather than simply accepting rewritten text.
Practical AI editing examples you can try
Think about what an editor does. It’s a task that includes improving structure, coherence, pacing, or factual accuracy.
A human editor might tell you what needs improving, but with an AI assistant you have to ask
That means that you need to be aware of issues before you can ask a logical question.
However, as you become more familiar with an AI editor, you’ll often learn more about issues you might not have been aware of before.
Here are some typical example prompts you can use with Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or any other AI assistant to use AI to edit your writing.
Clarity: Is my argument clear in this passage, or could a reader misunderstand certain parts of it? Also, am I clear about this being my point of view only and not a stated fact?
Accuracy: Can you check my historical facts and references in this section and, where possible, give me links so I can confirm them?
Structure: Do these fifteen paragraphs follow logically from one to the next? And could I improve the linking with better phrasing?
Repetition: Can you check my text and look for any ideas, words, or phrases that I’m using too much?
Tone and voice: I’ve totally rewritten this section. Does it still sound like me, and have I used the right level of formality?
Pacing: Does this scene move too slowly? I want to create some anticipation, but also keep the story moving.
Reader expectations: What questions do you think a reader might still have after reading my article?
You can probably think of many more questions you could ask that pertain more specifically to your type of writing.
One important point to note is that your choice of AI assistant editor might improve its feedback over time as it gets to know you and your writing style with conversation history or saved preferences.
What you should always keep in mind
The term AI assistant is apt because you’re the boss.
As you become more familiar with using it for editing help, always remember that it’s a computer tool and not a friend.
Always be objective and remember that, even though AI has improved, it can still get things wrong.
The way to make the best use of AI for editing tasks is to be as precise as possible with your prompts.
If you’re not sure, or don’t quite understand a response, you can always ask your question a different way, or just ask it to explain something in more detail.
You probably use an online grammar and spell checker, with or without AI. That’s always a useful check to help you find and correct as many errors or typos as possible.
But when you use your AI assistant for editorial suggestions, it might also point out grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.
I often get a response to a content question with a small section pointing out minor errors, and sometimes with a rewritten example.
Although it might be tempting, never copy these suggested rewrites directly into your text. Look at the noted errors and correct them yourself, in your own voice.
If you stay objective and remember that you don’t need to act on every suggestion, AI can be a useful tool for editing.
It’s not perfect by any means, but then again, we humans aren’t always perfect either.
Think of it as a tool like any other writing tool you might use, and it should help you make improvements to your writing.
Summary
I know most writers have strong feelings about AI and especially regarding AI-generated text.
In the beginning, I was reluctant too, but AI is with us, and it’s not going away any time soon.
I slowly came to conclusions about what I don’t like and what I find helpful in my writing process.
However, I never use it to write for me. I use it as an editing tool, an SEO checker, and a research assistant.
If you are still similarly reticent, I’m not going to try to change your mind.
But for those writers who are open to experimenting with new technology, it’s worth a try to use AI to edit your writing.
Related Reading: Can Your Writing Be A Little Bit AI?
English teacher, writer, and author. Passionate about grammar, creative writing, and self-publishing. Always exploring new tools and tech to help writers succeed.
