WRIT 150 - writing w Artificial Intelligence

Writing Program AI

The Writing Program recognizes the rapid growth and increasing use of AI technologies, namely large language models (e.g., ChatGPT and Claude), and their potential impact on the classroom.The Writing Program continues to maintain a philosophy of instructor-autonomy, whereby instructors are empowered to make individual decisions about which tools they choose to use, or not use, in the classroom. Because these technologies will have a profound impact on students’ academic and professional lives, however, The Writing Program does suggest that LLMs are incorporated into the classroom, whether that be through general discussion or more active inclusion into major writing project cycles as part of a larger writing process (e.g., generative, feedback, editing, etc.). In their writing for classes, students should treat AI generated text as they would any other source material and properly attribute it.

USC Library AI Research and Use Guide

Using Generative AI in Research

CET Syllabus Template

USC Syllabus template

Sample Option A–not permitted

Since creating, analytical, and critical thinking skills are part of the learning outcomes of this course, all assignments should be prepared by the student working individually or in groups. Students may not have another person or entity complete any substantive portion of the assignment. Developing strong competencies in these areas will prepare you for a competitive workplace. Therefore, using AI-generated tools is prohibited in this course, will be identified as plagiarism, and will be reported to the Office of

Academic Integrity.

Option B–permitted on specific assignments

In this course, I encourage you to use artificial intelligence (AI)-powered programs to help you with assignments that indicate the permitted use of AI. You should also be aware that AI text generation tools may present incorrect information, biased responses, and incomplete analyses; thus they are not yet prepared to produce text that meets the standards of this course. To adhere to our university values, you must cite any AI-generated material (e.g., text, images, etc.) included or referenced in your work and

provide the prompts used to generate the content. Using an AI tool to generate content without proper attribution will be treated as plagiarism and reported to the Office of Academic Integrity. Please review the instructions in each assignment for more details on how and when to use AI Generators for your submissions.

Option C–encouraged use

I expect you to use AI (e.g., ChatGPT and image generation tools) in this class. Learning to use AI is an emerging skill, and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to provide guidance with these tools during office hours or after class. Keep in mind the following:

● AI tools are permitted to help you brainstorm topics or revise work you have already written.

● If you provide minimum-effort prompts, you will get low-quality results. You will need to refine

your prompts to get good outcomes. This will take work.

● Proceed with caution when using AI tools and do not assume the information provided is accurate or trustworthy If it gives you a number or fact, assume it is incorrect unless you either know the correct answer or can verify its accuracy with another source. You will be responsible for any errors or omissions provided by the tool. It works best for topics you understand.

● AI is a tool, but one that you need to acknowledge using. Please include a paragraph at the end of any assignment that uses AI explaining how (and why) you used AI and indicate/specify the prompts you used to obtain the results and what prompts you used to get the results. Failure to do so is a violation of academic integrity policies.

● Be thoughtful about when AI is useful. Consider its appropriateness for each assignment or circumstance. The use of AI tools requires attribution. You are expected to clearly attribute any material generated by the tool used.

MLA and APA Language (Citation guidelines)

Sample Syllabi Language

Here is an extensive list of sample syllabi language from a range of courses:

Syllabi Policies for AI Generative Tools

Colleague Sample Syllabus Language:

Although LLMs offer tools for generating texts for this class, when they take your place, they can preempt or inhibit the development of your writing and critical thinking. Since this class is designed for your benefit, do not use LLMs to generate content unless requested to do so as part of an exercise. Submitting work generated by an undisclosed LLM is akin to plagiarism, and violations will be treated accordingly. Remember also that you are responsible for all of the writing you submit and all of its contents, no matter its origins. When using LLMs as part of class assignments, keep a record and when the system does not do this automatically, copy and paste into a record of your own making (Googe Doc, txt file, etc).

Mark Marino

***

Academic Integrity and the Other AI

The issues with academic integrity in the writing classroom are complicated by the increasing prevalence of Artificial Intelligence, or machine learning and large language models. We will have an extended discussion of this kind of AI and its use in writing during the second unit of the semester, and you will have an opportunity to help me develop an ethical course policy on using AI. In the meantime, I would like you to commit to the following policies:

1. If it would not be ethical or academically responsible to use an individual person’s work in a particular way, please do not use AI that way. That is, if it is unethical to have another person do an assignment for you, consider it unethical to have an AI do it. If it is ethical to have another person proofread your paper, it is ethical to have AI proofread your paper for you.

2. If you choose to use AI, document your process in detail, even for things like using Bing to find sources or proofreading with Grammarly. This can be done through standard attribution and citation within a paper if you are using specific ideas or language (for example, you could include a footnote with a link to a conversation with ChatGPT), or if the use is broader, you can describe the use in the required reflection that should be attached to every paper.

Work that does not reflect both these commitments (ethical use of other people's work and clear documentation) may be treated as a breach of academic integrity, with consequences that include but are not limited to being required to redo the assignment, standard grading contract penalties, and in certain cases failure for the course as a whole. I reserve the right to determine the appropriate consequence based on what I believe will best serve our course, classroom learning, and my responsibilities as a USC faculty member.

-Patti Taylor

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NOTE ON GENERATIVE AI TOOLS

Tools such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, Bard, and others are now part of the cultural landscape. As in your professional lives, there will be times when using these tools is appropriate and others when there is more benefit to not using them. We will work together to determine the opportunities and responsibilities of using these tools.

Some guiding principles in this class include:

All work should be original and created specifically for the given assignment. You are responsible for the accuracy and originality of any material submitted.
You should be the authors of all text submitted. In assignments that are collaborative in nature, that group of students will be the co-authors and have all associated responsibilities.
Academic integrity policies regarding the use of generative AI tools will apply to every assignment.
The extent to which using a generative AI tool is appropriate will be identified for each assignment. Please note that such use will differ for each assignment.
Any generative AI text should be treated as source material and should be appropriately cited. In other words, if someone else (or something else) wrote the text, a citation is necessary. You will be asked to further cite not just the source, but how you used these tools. This extra step is reflective of future professional standards and responsibilities.
Any generative AI image or graphic should be appropriately cited.

The appropriate citation style for each assignment will be provided by me. How to cite AI-generated text differs among the various methodologies, so please consult the latest version posted online.

Please Note: I will not be using any AI tools in writing the feedback I provide you. All comments will be mine and I will take full responsibility for their content.

Steve Bucher

● If Turnitin identifies your assignment as having high similarity to another student’s submission

or an external source that is not attributed such as a natural language processor you risk failing

the course. A report will be submitted to USC’s Office of Academic Integrity, and appropriate

actions will be taken.

● Do not use any form of NLP (Natural Language Processor) such as Chat GPT. Even simple forms

of AI assistance such as Grammarly will detract from what you can learn and may constitute

plagiarism.

● In sum: work submitted must be your individual effort and any external sources must be

attributed. Failure to do so is considered plagiarism and constitutes an academic integrity

Violation.

Elizabeth Fife

the ancestors said this:

Don't ask it to do anything you wouldn't ask another person to do - for example, you would ask your friend to edit your essay, but you wouldn't ask them to write it for you.

Using AI when appropriate, like a tool in your writing toolbox. Since only you, the writer, knows the final destination of your essay, AI should only be used to help you come up with ideas (whether with brainstorming, essay revision, etc.) along your journey.

Treat AI like a tutor, not like an essay-maker that removes from your learning experience.

Use AI like you have a editor over your shoulders, except this one won't be annoyed if you ask it too many questions. Take advantage of it. Use it to enhance your writing and make sure your points are coming across as intended. Use it to repurpose.

In your AWA reflections, write honestly about the role that AI took in your writing process, what you liked/didn't like about its feedback, how you maintained your stylistic voice. If your essay uses words you don't know the meaning to and you're not honest about AI use, it'll be clear.

Artificial Intelligence is not going anywhere. Instead of continuing to restrict something that is going to keep growing and become more prevalent in each of our lives, we should learn how to use it in the best possible way. This does not mean telling chatGPT: "Write me a 15 page essay with the attached rubric." Write a draft first and when you need inspiration or advice on how to go deeper or improve your essay ask AI. In other words, write until you can't write anymore, then turn to your friend AI for help. This way you will benefit from AI and you will also learn more about yourself as a writer.

Because AI generates text based on probability models, students should be encouraged to use their unique vocabulary, life experience, personal metaphors in their writing. AI tends to use certain words and phrases a lot like "elevate," "tapestry," or "multifaceted," so students should strive to bring their slang, their human insights to the table.

Use AI in a way that holds true to your identity and “voice”. If you’re using AI, feed it prompts or ask it to assist you in a way that continues your true writing style. Don't sacrifice your style at the expense of a quick cheat.

In a math class it makes sense to ask AI for the answer because there's gonna be just 1 correct answer. For writing, be mindful to take what AI says as a suggestion, but use your judgement and experience as a writer to lead your essay construction.

AI isn't something that will disappear in the next few years so we should start to use it as a source. AI gives instant feedback without annoyance or bias. So it should be used a source to improve the writer independently.

AI provides and helps generate resources for self-paced learning, which hepls students to explore topics beyond the classroom and develop independent research skills.

Can I use AI to give me original ideas or work?

You should be able to explain why the words, rhetorical choices, metaphors, etc., are used in your essay, and they shouldn't come from AI. All of the work should be yours, but AI can double-check your work or tell you areas for improvement while not directly changing your word choices or creating the work for you. If you use AI in your papers, cite it and use it in your reflections.

AI should only be used for essay optimization and but not creation. Ultimately you should be passionate about what you’re writing about. AI should not define what that passion is and where that passion takes you in the course of writing your essay, but it can help you convey that passion in the most effective way. If you can speak earnestly about why you wrote about what you did in your reflection or in front of the professor, then your AI usage is acceptable.

FAQs:

Can I use AI to give me an outline for my essays?

Answer: Yes... but not completely. It's okay to go to AI with a larger idea, and AI can help you break it down by giving you a structure with smaller 'sub-ideas' almost and then an order to put them in. However, it's important to only use this as a guide, not something that you follow completely. It's nice to have a ready-made structure to begin with, it'll definitely make your work easier, but I encourage you to stray from it as much as possible. Use it as a tool to get yourself thinking, and then structure your essay as you see fit. No matter how smart AI is, I believe that humans will always have more complex and insightful thoughts, and it's important to rely on those rather than technology. This is especially important for this class as it is centered around human values and belief systems.

Can I revise my essay with the help of AI?

Yes, but don't just ask it for more ideas or to create anything. Use it as a tool to help break down the writing you have already done. Figure out what you're missing, if any evidence contradicts statements you were trying to make, etc.

Use AI to give feedback and help with it specify wht needs clarification but AI can't reword and change original writing.

Can I use AI to source ideas for my essay?

Yes, in a sense. If you have a broad idea or outline you could ask AI for examples of specific problems you could expand on. But you cannot just ask AI to give you one idea as that defeats the critical thinking of a problem and will ultimately make it difficult to write as you might not feel as connected to the issue or idea compared to if you thought of it yourself.

Can I use AI as a tool for feedback concerning the fluidity if my essay- how it sounds to an outside perspective?

Yes, you can use AI for feedback concerning your essay but make sure when implementing changes regarding language you keep your originality and personality. In other words, AI may suggest the usage of certain terms that may sound out of place or "unlike" you, so find alternatives that convey the same meaning but you would utilize in your daily life.

Overarching Idea on AI use: Use it as a friend and make conversation with it. As long as there is back and forth in your conversation with AI, it is acceptable. Ask it questions instead of giving it assignments. Reply to its responses, don't simply take them as final.

AI can be used to help in refining ideas or assisting in thinking, but should not be used completely to complete assignments since it would inhibit your ability to write without AI.

Can I use AI for idea generation?

Although there isn't a strict policy against that, it is highly advisable that you come with your own raw idea. Afterall, you are writing about a topic that you care about. AI's role should be more of a friend that can help inspire you but not a tool that give you the answer.

How will we confront the integrity of AI use?

Consider integrating a foreword in each of our essays, acting like an "author's note" to explain why you chose your topic and what it means to you. The hope is that this will give insight into the personal (not AI generated) connection with the writing.

Additionally, we could also consider creating reflection questions that

Can I use AI to help me look for possible sources I can incorporate in my essay?

You can use AI to help find potential sources for your essay, but it’s important to approach it with caution. AI can be effective for brainstorming ideas and suggesting initial resources, but because it generates responses based on patterns rather than verified facts, it can sometimes provide false or nonexistent information. Always verify any sources it suggests through credible databases like Google Scholar or the USClibrary. AI is a great starting point, but reliable research requires careful cross-checking and critical thinking.

Apollo

How can I use AI as a writing tool?

The best way to use AI is to generate ideas and expand them using your knowledge. It is very helpful to begin a writing topic to get a different view or several routes to answer a prompt. It should not be used to do your writing, which would limit your learning specially when it comes to writing since it requires you to create something that hasn't been created before

In what instances should we use AI versus our classmates?

Using your classmates to comment and give feedback on your writing can be a great tool to get an idea of how people will perceive your writing overall. As AI is a helpful tool to dive into the details that classmates may not realize, it can be seen as your classmate from home as well. With that being said, prioritize your classmates' opinions and ideas regarding your writing and use AI as a final reviewer for it...with caution.

AI can be used as a feedback generator, when you feel as if your writing needs work, revisions, or if you feel it is missing something. However, using AI to complete entire assignments should not be allowed, as it takes away the purpose and goals of the writing process.