AI Writing Tutors: Improving Student Writing Without Doing It for Them

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](https://ibl.ai)

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*Last updated: December 2025*