Prompt Engineering
This category reflect the continued importance of iterating prompts and platforms to achieve writing goals with generative AI, across genres and writing contexts.
- Before the Paragraph, After the Prompt: Collaborative Invention with Generative AI
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Jeanne Beatrix Law
Kennesaw State UniversityThis assignment guides writers to integrate generativeáAI into an intentional composing process. Both models presented were developed and tested in multiple contexts at a diverse public research university. First, students create their three-prompt portfolio, iteratively applying the RhetoricaláPromptingáMethod (RPM) to align purpose, audience, genre, and style. Then, they write a 300-word reflection, deploying the EthicaláWheeláofáPrompting (EWP) that audits AI exchanges for usefulness, relevance, accuracy, and harmlessness. Lastly, their work culminates in concept maps/outlines, visualizing revisions from prompt to edited output. The accompanying rubric rewards rigorous, human-directed editing. By cycling deliberately through successive prompts, writers plan rhetorical choices, approaching metacognition rather than one-click shortcuts. In student-reported data, we found this disciplined iteration keeps students in charge of human-AI collaboration, easing FOBR jitters and preparing students to craft responsible, polished prose in AI-infused learning environments.
- Can an AI Do That?
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Gabriel Morrison
College of the Holy CrossThis assignment pushes students to look beyond the hype and initial wonder of seeing GenAI in action and develop structured research methods for evaluating AI models and AI-generated texts. Students are challenged to consider the affordances and appropriateness of automating language tasks. The assignment presents students with an opportunity to develop AI literacy through crafting and iterating AI prompts, human-centered testing, and critical reflection.
- Enabling Advanced EAP Students to Integrate Academic Paraphrasing Skills Effectively and Ethically with AI Assistance
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Jerry Spring
Nazarbayev UniversityThis assignment asks postgraduate students in an advanced EAP course to paraphrase short texts (about 100 words of an academic journal abstract). Acknowledging that students may well use AI assistance for paraphrasing, the activities aim to both widen each student’s own range and appropriateness of paraphrasing techniques and evaluate an AI assistant’s suggestions for the same text (for potential incorporation) before finalizing their own paraphrase. This process helps raise students’ critical awareness of, and ability to use AI paraphrasing suggestions in academic writing effectively and ethically. While linguistically demanding, this assignment could also be adapted for undergraduate students.