AI tools nowadays are incredibly convenient, whether you need AI text generation, ai copywriting, ai poetry writing, or any information you desire, AI provides people with tremendous flexibility to apply it. Even ChatGPT has become an essential tool for many students when writing assignments and reports. Since it’s now possible to write reports, is it feasible to use ChatGPT for essays oruse ChatGPT for papers? Today, I’ll show you how to operate ChatGPT for writing a paper!
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ToggleCan you use ChatGPT for essays?
Since the advent of ChatGPT, controversies have been incessant, particularly sparking significant backlash and debate in the academic and educational sectors. So, can ChatGPT be used to write academic papers? It depends on how you use it. Although there is no legal obligation when use ChatGPT for essays, if the generated content is presented as personal opinions, research reports, or study results, it violates academic ethics, which requires academic papers to be personally authored. Faced with these issues, universities worldwide have established regulations and penalties regarding ChatGPT and other AI-generated tools. However, if ChatGPT is used correctly, it can still assist us in writing papers.
ChatGPT,an essay writing assistant
So, how can I use ChatGPT for essays correctly and reasonably?
Looking at it from a different perspective, ChatGPT, as a tool, should be used to “assist” humans in achieving their goals rather than “replace” humans in completing tasks. When using ChatGPT to generate content, the creator should adjust the content rather than simply copying and pasting it. ChatGPT only provides creators with reference data and suggestions, offering them a starting point. After absorbing the information, creators should contribute their own understanding, perspectives, and insights. This is the correct and reasonable way to use ChatGPT.
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Tips for writing Essays withChatGPT.
To use ChatGPT effectively, it is crucial to understand its essence, which is the “instruction” or “prompt.” When querying ChatGPT, the responses vary based on the phrasing of the prompt. Even though the answers might be the same, the depth, richness, and accuracy of the content can differ significantly. For instance, if I want to create an article about whether artificial intelligence will replace humans, I input the prompt “Help me write an article about artificial intelligence replacing humans.” Here is the content generated by ChatGPT:

It is apparent that, under such a query, the article generated by ChatGPT is quite rigid. While the content and grammar may not have significant issues, readers would easily recognize that the article is written by ChatGPT. Now, let’s explore how ChatGPT’s responses differ when adjusting the instructions.

Due to the extensive nature of the content, ChatGPT cannot provide the complete article. However, by comparing the two generated results, it is evident that the adjusted outcome is indeed more professional than the original one. Differences can be observed in both the title formatting and the overall structure of the article, aligning more with the academic writing style we desire.
Let me provide another example:

This time, I asked ChatGPT to help me draft a paper using the more commonly discussed topic of euthanasia. The response I received from ChatGPT was that it couldn’t provide me with information on euthanasia due to its ethical controversy.
What if I rephrase the question?

Even though I’m inquiring about the same topic, the answers obtained vary significantly with different phrasing. This highlights the importance of the ChatGPT prompt. Regarding instructions, I would suggest including: 1.character settings 2. Keywords 3. Formatting requirements. The more precise and detailed the instructions given to ChatGPT, the better results it can provide. By guiding ChatGPT through step-by-step questioning, we can elicit better outcomes.
While ChatGPT may not deliver complete content, we can still generate detailed information in a segmented manner. However, I do not recommend this approach. Authors with a good understanding of the research topic usually find that ChatGPT’s outputs are superficial and lack attention to detail. It also doesn’t proactively provide data for argumentation. Therefore, if you want to use ChatGPT for writing a paper, I suggest applying it in areas where it can be more appropriate:
Seeking inspiration and research directions
If you’re struggling to come up with a paper topic, ChatGPT can offer research directions. You can explore the content provided by ChatGPT to identify an interesting subject or hypothetical question for in-depth research. However, it’s crucial to note that ChatGPT only suggests a potentially viable direction. The suitability of the chosen topic depends on the judgment of the author’s expertise and experience.

Drafting article structure, outline
When seeking assistance from ChatGPT in writing a paper or generating a lengthy article, it typically doesn’t directly generate the content. Instead, ChatGPT provides a structured outline, including titles, introductions, outlines, and conclusions. To ensure that the generated article structure aligns with the author’s intentions, detailed information such as research topics and objectives should be provided during questioning. The more detailed, the better, to enable ChatGPT to produce content relevant to the topic.
Data retrieval
Obtaining desired information from ChatGPT can be achieved through a question-and-answer approach. ChatGPT, with its vast database, allows users to swiftly obtain reliable answers. To minimize errors in ChatGPT responses, questions should be:
- Clear and specific with explicit focal points
- Break down complex questions, progressing step by step
- Avoid open-ended or unanswerable questions
- Refrain from using specialized terminology
Translation, editing
Users can input a mixed-language draft into ChatGPT to generate a fluent all-English version. Alternatively, translated English articles can be input for ChatGPT to refine into academic English. Through ChatGPT instructions, users can customize the context, tone, and professionalism to achieve the desired writing style.
Proofreading
ChatGPT can proofread a thesis, correcting grammar, structure, spelling errors, and offering better suggestions. This ensures the smooth flow of the article, making the writing process more efficient. However, even after using ChatGPT for proofreading, it’s advisable to undergo manual proofreading. While ChatGPT can address most phonetic and grammatical issues, adjustments for consistency in language and potential contradictions between sentences still require the author’s intervention.
These are the aspects where ChatGPT can be applied in the process of writing a thesis.
What should be noted when using ChatGPT for academic writing?
ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for assisting in academic writing when used appropriately. Despite its wide range of applications, there are limitations and challenges that ChatGPT is currently working to overcome. When utilizing ChatGPT for academic writing, it’s important to consider the following:
Incomplete Accuracy of ChatGPT-generated Content:
ChatGPT generates content based on vast amounts of text from the internet, learned through statistical patterns. It lacks genuine cognitive abilities and may not fully comprehend the implied meaning of user input. Consequently, ChatGPT can be misled, leading to erroneous arguments and biases. While it compiles seemingly professional responses, the information provided may not always be correct and could even be fabricated.
Using ChatGPT for translation may result in inaccuracies. To mitigate translation errors, it’s advisable to generate content paragraph by paragraph. This approach not only reduces the probability of translation mistakes but also facilitates manual verification by the author.
Limitations in Information Updates:
The information available to ChatGPT 3.5 is updated only until January 2022. Questions about events or developments post-2022 will not receive accurate answers or predictions. Authors should exercise caution when seeking time-sensitive information.
Verification of ChatGPT-Provided References:
References suggested by ChatGPT may be inaccurate. Researchers relying on ChatGPT to find reliable books or articles for reference may encounter inaccuracies. While ChatGPT provides detailed information, including authors, publication dates, and URLs, verification often reveals that many references are incorrect, and in some cases, non-existent journals are created.
Potential for Plagiarism in ChatGPT-generated Content:
ChatGPT-generated content, including text and data, may resemble existing materials. Even when referencing ChatGPT’s provided citations, accuracy is not guaranteed. Authors adopting ChatGPT content may unknowingly engage in plagiarism or academic dishonesty, risking severe consequences if discovered by academic authorities.
Other AI Tools Recommended for Writing Papers
In addition to ChatGPT, there are many AI tools that can assist you in writing papers. If you’re looking to use AI for paper writing, you should definitely consider GenApe. GenApe is a professional Chinese AI tool with multiple templates available. It allows adjustments for roles, styles, tones, and professionalism within the articles. Feel free to click the link below for a free trial!