9 min

Updated: June 11th, 2024

How to Use ChatGPT to Write an Essay without Plagiarizing

Have you ever wondered how ChatGPT can revolutionize your essay-writing process? This incredible tool can serve as a library with access to numerous sources, a personal tutor guiding you through the writing journey, and even a simulator to help you practice and refine your essay writing skills.

As a team, we can’t help but wish we had such a remarkable resource during our student years. However, we understand that the key to successful ChatGPT essay writing lies in approaching it mindfully and step by step, not generating the entire essay at one prompt.

In this article, our custom writing help team will share valuable tips on using ChatGPT to write an essay without plagiarism while maintaining your unique style. We’ll guide you through the steps to write an outstanding essay using artificial intelligence.

👣 5 Steps to Write an Essay
🔎 Preliminary Research
❓ Research Question
📝 Outline
✍️ Introduction
📃 Body Paragraphs
📕 Conclusion
📑 References
💡 Other Ways to Use ChatGPT
❌ How NOT to Use ChatGPT
✔️ General Tips for Using ChatGPT
🔗 References

👣 6 Steps of Writing an Essay

Writing an essay might seem a challenging task. However, having a well-thought-out plan will help save you time and effort.

Let’s quickly recall the main stages of essay writing:

Get familiar with the assignment. Ensure you understand the essay prompt, length requirements, and any specific instructions the professor provides.
Choose a topic. Brainstorm ideas and choose the one that sparks your curiosity. Pick the topic that gives you enough space for research and writing.
Do profound research. Gather relevant information from books, articles, and websites. Consider what evidence you may use to support your arguments.
Create an essay outline. Organize your thoughts into an outline. It will help you keep all the necessary essay components (introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion).
Write an essay. Collect all your thoughts, develop the key arguments, and link the thesis with other parts of the text.
Edit and proofread. Review your essay for any errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Check your writing for clarity and coherence.

🤔 Can ChatGPT Write Essays?

In short, yes.

However, we are firmly against letting AI write whole essays. Not only do you violate multiple academic integrity rules, but you also deprive yourself of the opportunity to learn and improve your critical thinking skills. Besides, the quality of AI-generated essays is below the average, so think twice before submitting a ChatGPT-written paper.

For more information about the issues of using AI tools in academic writing, read our guides:

Use this free and authentic AI text finder to be on the safe side, and don’t submit AI-generated works.

How can you use ChatGPT to write essays, then?

Choose a topic. The chatbot offers numerous essay titles based on a prompt you input. Make the prompt as precise as possible to receive the perfect theme.
Research. ChatGPT can provide relevant information and sources related to your essay topic, so you don’t have to browse endless web pages.
Develop a research question or a thesis statement. The chatbot can also assist in refining and developing a specific research question that accurately reflects the essay’s main argument.
Write an outline. ChatGPT can help create a well-structured outline for the essay, logically organizing the main points and supporting details.
Find arguments and evidence. ChatGPT is a great assistant in generating ideas, arguments, examples, and evidence to support your opinion.
Summarize or paraphrase the text. ChatGPT can aid in summarizing or paraphrasing complex texts or research findings, saving you time.
Check your references. With ChatGPT, you can format a reference list according to any style you need. Ask it to produce one from scratch or scan for inconsistencies.
Proofread. With the help of ChatGPT, you can identify grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing to polish the essay.

Do you want to write an essay together?

Below, we provide details on integrating ChatGPT at each essay writing step. Pay attention to the prompts we use as they determine the output.

The picture suggests 8 different ways of using ChatGPT in essay writing.

Let’s start with the research!

🔎 Using ChatGPT for Preliminary Research

Many students experience writer’s block when drafting essays because they skip the preliminary research step. It involves gathering information, familiarizing yourself with existing literature, and identifying central arguments related to the subject.

Doing profound research helps develop a more informed and nuanced perspective, which can ultimately strengthen your essay’s quality. Moreover, preliminary research can help you collect supporting evidence, like relevant data, real-life examples, statistics, case studies, and expert opinions.

ChatGPT can help conduct research quickly and efficiently. For instance, you may ask the chatbot to recommend sources based on your essay’s topic. Also, consider using the bot to seek clarifications and summarize key arguments and perspectives from existing literature.

Here’s how you can use ChatGPT during your preliminary research:

What is the scholarly discussion about the ethics of AI in education? Give the controversial views in bullet points and provide sources for each position.

Potential Benefits of AI in Education:

Advocates argue that AI can personalize learning experiences, improve educational outcomes, and enhance accessibility for diverse learners.
Source: Siemens, G. (2013). Learning analytics: The emergence of a discipline. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(10), 1380–1400.

Ethical Concerns about Data Privacy:

Critics raise concerns about data privacy breaches, as AI systems collect and analyze vast amounts of student data.
Source: Boyd, D., & Crawford, K. (2012). Critical questions for big data: Provocations for a cultural, technological, and scholarly phenomenon. Information, Communication & Society, 15(5), 662–679.

Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination:

Scholars warn about algorithmic bias in AI systems, which may perpetuate inequalities and discrimination in educational opportunities.
Source: Diakopoulos, N. (2016). Accountability in algorithmic decision making. Communications of the ACM, 59(2), 56–62.

Loss of Human Touch and Teacher Autonomy:

Some argue that over-reliance on AI in education may diminish the role of human teachers and the autonomy they have in designing curriculum and assessments.
Source: Selwyn, N. (2020). What’s the problem with educational technology? Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review, 30, 11–29.

Alternatively, use our notes generator to prepare a list of key facts and arguments.

❓ Asking ChatGPT for a Research Question

A research question serves as the foundation for your essay. It determines the paper’s focus and purpose, guides the direction of the research, and shapes your content, analysis, and arguments.

Here are some reasons why a well-crafted research question is indispensable:

It narrows the essay’s scope, helping you stay focused.
It guides the research process.
It offers a logical and coherent framework for organizing your essay.

ChatGPT can suggest potential research questions based on your topic. Additionally, the chatbot can evaluate your research question and recommend how to make it clear, specific, and relevant to the chosen issue.

Here’s an example of how you can generate research questions with ChatGPT:

Generate 3 effective research questions for a descriptive study on the topic “The ethics of AI in education”.

📝 Writing an Outline with ChatGPT

A well-crafted outline is a lifesaver when it comes to essay writing. First of all, it saves you time and effort by sparing you from constantly reorganizing and revising your writing as you go along. Besides, it helps you present your ideas clearly and logically. Finally, it allows you to spot gaps in your argument and see where you need more evidence to support your claims.

Need help making a detailed essay outline? Ask ChatGPT for assistance! Here are some tips to get the maximum out of it:

Input the main points, and the bot will help you structure them.
Ask ChatGPT to generate arguments for you.
Specify the number of arguments you need.
Indicate how long each essay part should be.

Below is a sample prompt for creating an outline with ChatGPT. You can also try our free essay outline generator to help you organize your paper.

Make an outline for an argumentative essay on the topic “The ethics of AI in education”. The essay will argue that, despite AI literacy divide and bias in algorithms, the use of AI in education can improve fairness and equity in the classroom. The essay will be about 800 words.

Introduction
- Definition of AI in education
- The growing presence of AI in educational settings
- Thesis statemen
The AI Literacy Divide
- Explanation of the AI literacy gap among students and educators
- Impact of the divide on learning opportunities
- Counterargument
Algorithmic Bias in AI
- Examples of bias in educational AI systems
- Effects of bias on marginalized groups and educational outcomes
- Counterargument
Improved Fairness and Equity through AI in Education
- Personalized learning opportunities
- Access to quality education for underserved communities
- AI’s potential to identify and address individual learning needs
- Illustrative examples of successful AI integration in education
Case Studies and Success Stories
- Highlighting instances where AI has positively impacted educational equity
- Examining studies showcasing the effectiveness of AI-driven interventions
- Testimonials from educators and students on the benefits of AI integration
Conclusion
- Recap of arguments supporting the use of AI in education for fairness and equity
- Emphasis on the need for continuous improvement and ethical considerations
- Call to action for responsible AI integration in educational settings to promote inclusivity and fairness

This outline provides a structured approach to address the various aspects of the topic, allowing for a coherent argument in support of AI integration in education despite the challenges it presents. Each section can be developed with evidence, examples, and analysis to strengthen the essay’s argumentative stance.

✍️ How to Use ChatGPT to Write an Essay Introduction

Your paper should impress your audience from the start. A well-constructed essay’s introduction should captivate readers’ attention and make them eager to continue reading.

A solid essay introduction comprises three main components: a hook, background, and a thesis statement. Check out how ChatGPT can assist you with them:

Hook. It is an opening sentence or two designed to spark readers’ interest and draw them into the topic. ChatGPT can help you brainstorm creative and fascinating ways to begin an essay, whether through a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or a powerful anecdote.
Background information. It can include a brief historical context, definitions of key terms, or the current state of the issue. ChatGPT can provide relevant details or theories on your topic, saving you time.
Thesis statement. It is a specific sentence stating the central point of the essay. You can share your ideas with ChatGPT, and the chatbot will help you prepare a thesis statement that effectively conveys your essay’s purpose. You can expect the bot to offer several variations for your inspiration.

Don’t want to bother creating a prompt for ChatGPT? Try our free essay introduction generator!

Hook

You can choose among several hook types to grab readers’ attention:

Anecdotal hooks
Quotes
Fact or statistic
Question hooks

To generate an essay hook with ChatGPT, provide a specific prompt with the essay topic and the desired hook type. For instance, you can ask, “Can you help me generate an anecdotal hook for an essay about climate change?”

Below, we’ve added an example of how to use ChatGPT to generate hooks. When asking for an attention-getter with statistics or quotes, remember to double-check any facts the chatbot gives you.

Generate 3 hooks for an essay on the topic “The ethics of AI in education”.

Absolutely, here are three potential hooks to start an essay on the ethics of AI in education:

Anecdotal Hook: “As I watched a classroom filled with students engage with AI-powered learning tools, I couldn’t help but ponder the ethical implications of this technological revolution. The promise of personalized education clashed with concerns over fairness and equity. This clash formed the battleground for a debate that delves deep into the ethics of AI in education”.
Statistical Hook: “In an era where AI is transforming industries, its integration into education stands at the forefront of innovation. According to recent data, over 60% of educational institutions worldwide have adopted some form of artificial intelligence in their teaching methodologies. However, amidst this technological leap, ethical questions loom large, questioning the true impact of AI on fairness and equity in classrooms”.
Provocative Question Hook: “Can artificial intelligence truly level the playing field in education, or does its integration create a deeper divide among students? This question sits at the heart of the ethical discourse surrounding AI in education. As algorithms shape learning experiences, do they genuinely promote fairness and equity, or do they embed biases that perpetuate existing inequalities?”.

If you want a more straightforward tool specializing in generating hooks, try our free attention grabber generator.

Background

In the background information, it’s essential to provide the reader with context relevant to the topic. Background can consist of:

Historical context, including key events, developments, or trends.
Definitions and explanations, introducing key terms and concepts.
Topic significance, explaining its impact on the world or relevance to the research field.
The current state of the issue, discussing the ongoing processes, fresh statistics, trends, or debates.

The main challenge with writing background information is the risk of losing focus and providing irrelevant details. ChatGPT can help you stick to the key points without getting lost in hundreds of web pages.

I am writing an argumentative essay on the topic “The ethics of AI in education”. What background information can I include in the introduction of my essay?

In your essay’s introduction on the ethics of AI in education, consider including the following background information:

AI’s Evolution in Education: Briefly discuss the evolution of AI in educational settings, highlighting its growing significance in modern learning environments.
Benefits of AI in Education: Outline some of the advantages or positive impacts that AI brings to education.
Challenges and Ethical Concerns: Introduce the ethical dilemmas arising from AI integration in education. Discuss potential biases in algorithms, data privacy concerns, the digital divide (unequal access to AI-powered resources), and the impact of AI on traditional teaching methodologies.
Current Landscape and Debates: Touch upon the current landscape in education concerning AI integration.
Purpose of the Essay: Clearly state the purpose of your essay—whether it’s to explore the ethical implications, assess the current state of AI in education, or propose solutions for addressing ethical concerns while leveraging AI’s benefits.

Remember, the background information should set the stage for your argument by providing context, laying out the key issues, and indicating the importance of discussing the ethics of AI in education.

Thesis

Different essay types require different thesis statements. Here are some examples:

An argumentative thesis presents your stance on a controversial issue.
An expository thesis previews the information covered in the paper.
An analytical thesis briefly summarizes your analysis of a particular issue or a literary work.
A compare and contrast thesis highlights similarities and differences between two chosen subjects.

Although ChatGPT may not suggest a perfect thesis statement, it can generate helpful ideas you’ll need to develop. The bot has certain limitations, like understanding topic-specific vocabulary and providing a unique opinion on the subject. So, to get the best possible result from ChatGPT, make sure to input the key terms and specify the essay’s type and focus.

If you write your thesis after completing other parts of your essay, consider using this key points generator. It will list your paper’s main ideas, which you can provide to ChatGPT to create a thesis.

Look at the sample prompt you can use to generate a thesis statement example:

Suggest an example of an argumentative thesis statement for an essay on the topic “The ethics of AI in education”. The essay will focus on the impact of AI on fairness and equity in education.

📃 How to Use ChatGPT to Write Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should be a mini-argument in itself. It should focus on one point related to your central argument. A body paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence introducing the main idea. Then, it presents supporting sentences with relevant evidence like facts, examples, and explanations to support that idea effectively. Finally, it includes a link to the following paragraph. Smoothly connect the sections with each other using our transition sentence generator!

ChatGPT is especially helpful when writing body paragraphs. You can start by generating arguments to support your thesis statement. Make sure you specify your stance, whether you want the bot to argue for or against something.

Once you have developed the arguments, ChatGPT can suggest supporting details, evidence, and examples. These can include relevant statistics, quotes, and research findings. Remember to make specific prompts, for example, “Can you give concrete examples of how using AI violates academic integrity?”

Before including AI-generated supporting details in your essay, fact-check and verify the accuracy of the information. You can do this by cross-checking the examples and evidence provided by ChatGPT with reputable sources, such as academic journals, books, or reliable websites.

Here’s how you can ask ChatGPT to help you with the main points for your essay’s body:

I’m writing an argumentative essay on the topic “The ethics of AI in education. My thesis statement is as follows: “Despite concerns over the AI literacy divide and algorithmic bias, the integration of AI in education can significantly enhance fairness and equity in the classroom”. Suggest 3 arguments I can use to support my thesis statement.

Certainly! Here are three arguments you could use to support your thesis statement:

Personalized Learning Opportunities: AI in education can tailor learning experiences to individual students’ needs, thus addressing the diversity in learning styles, paces, and abilities. It can identify strengths and weaknesses, offering customized educational paths for each student. This personalization can bridge gaps in understanding, ensuring that no student is left behind, thereby enhancing fairness by catering to individual needs.
Access to Quality Education: AI-powered tools can help democratize education by providing access to quality resources and education materials to students regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic background. For instance, AI-driven tutoring systems or online learning platforms can offer high-quality education to remote or underprivileged areas where traditional resources might be scarce, thereby promoting equity in education.
Bias Mitigation and Fair Assessment: While concerns about algorithmic bias exist, AI has the potential to minimize human biases in assessments and grading. Through standardized and objective evaluation methods, AI systems can reduce subjectivity and partiality in grading, providing a fairer assessment for all students regardless of their background, race, or gender. This can contribute to greater equity in educational outcomes.

Remember to support each argument with examples, studies, or relevant data to strengthen your essay’s credibility.

📕 How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Conclusion

A conclusion is essential to any essay as it lets you have the final word on the topic. There, you need to restate your thesis, remind readers of your main points, and share your paper’s contribution to the discussion.

ChatGPT can help you summarize your essay for a powerful conclusion. Here’s a sample prompt you can use to condense your arguments for the final section:

Write a possible conclusion for an essay with the thesis statement: “Despite concerns over the AI literacy divide and algorithmic bias, the integration of AI in education can significantly enhance fairness and equity in the classroom”. My arguments are that AI provides personalized learning opportunities, gives access to quality education, and minimizes human bias in students assessment.

In summary, while the integration of AI in education may raise legitimate concerns about the AI literacy gap and algorithmic bias, the potential benefits it offers in terms of fairness and equity within the classroom cannot be overlooked. By affording students personalized learning experiences tailored to their individual needs, expanding access to high-quality education regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status, and mitigating human biases in student assessments, AI has the capacity to revolutionize the educational landscape for the better. It is imperative, however, that stakeholders remain vigilant in addressing the challenges associated with AI implementation and work collaboratively to ensure that these technologies are harnessed responsibly and ethically. Through proactive measures and thoughtful considerations, AI can indeed serve as a powerful tool in promoting fairness and equity in education, ultimately contributing to the development of a more inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students.

Remember to edit any text generated by ChatGPT to avoid being suspected of academic dishonesty. Although the chatbot can greatly assist in producing content, the output should be carefully reviewed to ensure the language and structure are unique.

📑 Using ChatGPT for Referencing

Essay references are sources of information used to support and validate the content. They can include books, journals, articles, websites, and even images and films. All the sources should be mentioned in a reference list at the end of the document, including the author’s name, publication title, date, and other relevant details.

The number of references in essays with citations can vary depending on assignment guidelines and the topic complexity. A good rule of thumb for a standard academic paper is to include three to five references for every 1000 words.

There are at least two ways ChatGPT can help you with references:

Formatting. ChatGPT can compile a reference list for you according to your preferred citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). You need to provide the bot with the details for each reference, like the author, the title, the year, etc.
Error checking. ChatGPT can help you spot mistakes and inconsistencies within your reference list. Once your reference list is ready, paste it into ChatGPT and ask the bot to check it according to the chosen citation style.

Here’s a sample prompt for ChatGPT to get help with referencing:

I need help formatting a reference list entry in APA7. Here are the details about the source:

Title: AI and education: A guidance for policymakers
Year: 2021 – Authors: Fengchun Miao, Wayne Holmes, Ronghuai Huang, Hui Zhang
Publisher: UNESCO Publishing
Source type: book

You can also use our free citation generator to cite your sources quickly in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and Turabian.

💡 Other Ways to Use ChatGPT for Essay Writing

Here are ten bonus ideas on how you can use ChatGPT for your writing assignments:

Paraphrase. ChatGPT can help rephrase text to avoid plagiarism and improve the essay’s readability.
Generate ideas. If you’re struggling to develop ideas for your essay, ask the chatbot to provide brainstorming prompts and suggestions for your inspiration.
Create titles. ChatGPT can create catchy and relevant essay titles to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the content.
Get feedback. The chatbot can review your essay and provide valuable feedback on the structure, coherence, and overall writing quality.
Find sources. ChatGPT can suggest relevant sources, effective research strategies, and credible resource databases.
Expand an essay. Is it challenging for you to find enough ideas to reach the required word count? ChatGPT can help you by giving additional information, explanations, and examples.
Edit and proofread. ChatGPT can proofread your paper for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors for free and almost in no time.
Clarify concepts and understand content. You can ask ChatGPT to explain complex concepts related to your essay topic or simplify a hard-to-read passage from a scholarly source.
Get writing advice. ChatGPT can guide you in improving your writing skills or using specific writing techniques, like rhetorical devices.
Improve your time management. The chatbot can offer personalized advice on managing your time and help set realistic deadlines for each writing stage.

❌ How NOT to Use ChatGPT for Essays

While ChatGPT’s free and convenient nature is tempting, avoid using it to compose an entire essay in one prompt. This shortcut can significantly compromise the quality of your work and may even be considered plagiarism. To ensure originality, consult this compilation of the best AI detectors for students.

Avoid these things when using Chat GPT to make an essay:

Copying without editing. Avoid directly copying the responses generated by ChatGPT without editing or properly citing and attributing the source.
Not verifying information. Do not skip double-checking the accuracy of the information provided by ChatGPT.
Using overly complex language in prompts. Avoid using technical and metaphorical language in your prompts to ensure that AI-generated responses align with your writing purpose.
Neglecting proofreading. Skipping proofreading and editing can result in grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and unclear phrasing, even in the content generated by ChatGPT.
Using ChatGPT for college essays. Such papers require a high level of personal insight, originality, and individual expression, which cannot be fully conveyed through AI-generated text.
Violating your university’s academic integrity policy. Educational institutions may view unethical ChatGPT use as academic dishonesty. So, always uphold the principles of academic integrity in your essay writing process.

This image shows the dos and don'ts of using ChatGPT in essay writing.

✔️ General Tips for Using ChatGPT

ChatGPT is undoubtedly a valuable instrument for essay writing. Its ability to generate ideas, provide structure, and offer language suggestions can be indispensable for students. However, it’s crucial to remember that ChatGPT doesn’t replace critical thinking, research, and personal input. While it can facilitate writing, it should be used mindfully and in combination with other resources.

ChatGPT has limitations like any AI tool. It may sometimes misunderstand the nuances of a topic or provide inaccurate information. Therefore, it’s essential to critically evaluate its content and supplement it with your own knowledge and research.

To boost your experience using ChatGPT for academic writing, we would like to suggest bonus tips:

Give clear prompts. When using ChatGPT for essay writing, provide clear and specific queries.
Stay patient. It may take ChatGPT several attempts to generate a relevant response. Be patient and let the chatbot process your prompt and provide thoughtful suggestions for your essay.
Use natural language. When interacting with ChatGPT, talk to it using everyday language and provide context to help it better comprehend your essay topic.
Experiment with prompts. Vary your questions to explore diverse angles and ideas. This way, you can generate different perspectives and insights for your writing.

Ultimately, ChatGPT is a powerful ally in essay writing, offering support and guidance. While ChatGPT can provide precious assistance, it is your unique voice, perspectives, and expertise that can make your essay outstanding.

Check out other excellent materials about ChatGPT and similar AI tools: