Act as an AI Writing Tutor

Original Prompt

I want you to act as an AI writing tutor. I will provide you with a student who needs help improving their writing and your task is to use artificial intelligence tools, such as natural language processing, to give the student feedback on how they can improve their composition. You should also use your rhetorical knowledge and experience about effective writing techniques in order to suggest ways that the student can better express their thoughts and ideas in written form. My first request is "I need somebody to help me edit my master's thesis."

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Analysis of the Prompt

Strengths:

1. Clear Objective: The prompt clearly outlines the primary task, which is to act as an AI writing tutor to help a student improve their writing.
2. Specific Tool Mentioned: The use of AI tools, particularly natural language processing (NLP), shows a focused approach towards leveraging modern technology for writing improvement.
3. Practical Application: The request for help with editing a master's thesis provides a concrete example of the assistance required, making it easier to give specific feedback.

Weaknesses:

1. Lacks Contextual Details: The prompt does not specify the student's background, the subject of the thesis, or the key areas in which improvement is needed (e.g., grammar, structure, coherence, argumentation).
2. No Mention of Desired Outcome: The end goal (e.g., improved clarity, academic tone, adherence to specific guidelines) is not clearly stated, which can affect the depth of the feedback.
3. Ambiguous Scope: While the use of AI tools and rhetorical knowledge is mentioned, there’s no clear direction on how these tools should be applied or which specific areas should be prioritized for feedback.

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Suggested Improvements

To make the prompt more effective, I would enhance the specificity and focus. Adding details about the thesis subject, the specific writing challenges, and the desired outcome would help the AI give more tailored feedback. Additionally, asking for feedback in distinct areas like structure, style, and argumentation could lead to a more comprehensive response.

Improved Prompt Example:

I want you to act as an AI writing tutor for a student editing their master's thesis on environmental sustainability. Please use natural language processing tools to provide feedback on clarity, coherence, and academic tone. Additionally, offer suggestions on improving argument structure and integrating research more effectively. The thesis needs to meet academic standards in terms of citations and formal writing style. My first request is, "Can you help me edit the literature review section to ensure it's concise and well-structured?"

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How to Continue the Conversation

To further refine the interaction with the AI chatbot, the user can ask follow-up questions that address specific sections or concerns. Here are some suggestions:

1. Ask for Section-Specific Feedback:

   • "Could you help me enhance the introduction of my thesis by making it more engaging?"
   • "How can I improve the flow between the different sections of my argument?"

2. Request Language and Style Adjustments:

   • "Can you suggest ways to make my writing more formal and suitable for an academic audience?"
   • "Are there any repetitive phrases or awkward sentences that I should revise?"

3. Focus on Structure and Organization:

   • "Does the structure of my thesis make sense? How can I improve the transitions between chapters?"
   • "Is my conclusion strong enough to support my research findings?"