The Writing Support Challenge

Students need writing help, but traditional options are limited:

• Writing centers have limited hours
• Peer tutors vary in quality
• Instructor feedback is delayed
• AI that writes for students violates integrity

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What AI Writing Tutors Should Do

Good AI Writing Support

✅ Identify areas for improvement ✅ Ask guiding questions ✅ Explain writing principles ✅ Suggest revision approaches ✅ Provide grammar/mechanics feedback ✅ Teach, don't do

What AI Should NOT Do

❌ Write content for students ❌ Complete assignments ❌ Generate original text ❌ Bypass the learning process

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ibl.ai Writing Tutor Approach

Pedagogical Design

Socratic Method:

• Asks questions about student's ideas
• Guides toward self-discovery
• Develops critical thinking
• Builds independent skill

Scaffolded Support:

• Adjusts help based on need
• Provides more structure for beginners
• Reduces support as skills develop
• Promotes independence

Example Interaction

Student: "Can you help with my essay?"

AI Tutor: "I'd be happy to help you improve your essay. What's your thesis statement? Let's make sure it's clear and arguable before looking at the rest."

(Not: "Here's a rewritten version...")

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Writing Process Support

Prewriting

• Brainstorming guidance
• Thesis development
• Outline suggestions
• Source evaluation

Drafting

• Paragraph structure advice
• Transition suggestions
• Evidence integration
• Voice consistency

Revision

• Clarity improvements
• Argument strengthening
• Organization feedback
• Style refinement

Editing

• Grammar checking
• Punctuation guidance
• Citation formatting
• Proofreading tips

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Maintaining Academic Integrity

Guardrails

• Won't generate essays
• Won't complete assignments
• Flags concerning requests
• Logs interactions for review

Transparency

• Students know it's AI
• Instructors can see usage
• Interaction types tracked
• Clear policies communicated

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Implementation Best Practices

Set Expectations

• Explain appropriate use
• Demonstrate proper interaction
• Establish honor code connection
• Clarify consequences

Monitor Usage

• Review interaction patterns
• Identify concerning behavior
• Provide instructor visibility
• Adjust guardrails as needed

Teach AI Literacy

• How to use AI appropriately
• Critical evaluation of AI suggestions
• When human help is better
• AI as tool, not crutch

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Results

Students Using AI Writing Tutors:

• More revision iterations
• Earlier draft completion
• Improved final papers
• Stronger writing skills over time

Compared to No Support:

• Higher writing confidence
• Better writing habits
• More engagement with feedback
• Skill development sustained

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Conclusion

AI writing tutors are powerful tools when designed to teach, not do. The key is:

1. Ask, don't tell — Guide discovery
2. Scaffold support — Build independence
3. Maintain guardrails — Protect integrity
4. Focus on skills — Not just output

ibl.ai's writing tutor is designed with these principles for ethical, effective writing support.

Ready to support student writing? Explore ibl.ai

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Last updated: December 2025