Analysis of Iterations of Responses to Human Prompts: ChatGPT and Automated Writing

This assignment, by Huiling Ding, is from TextGenEd: Teaching with Text Generation Technologies in the WAC Clearinghouse Repository.

The abstract from the site explains:

Generative AI and large language models such as GPT-3.5 introduce new tools and challenges to writing classrooms. This assignment aims to both introduce students to these new tools and to help them cultivate writing, research, editing, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Using ChatGPT as an example, it helps students to understand important concepts such as natural language processing, LLMs, and AI ethics. The assignment contains six steps: generating a prompt; collecting responses from ChatGPT consecutively; analyzing, editing, and summarizing responses; and developing an original essay after conducting library research on the same topic. It helps students cultivate new skills in prompt engineering while challenging them to critically engage with AI-generated content through summary, synthesis, editing, as well as rhetorical and structural analysis.

Key Features of this Assignment

Iterative Engagement with AI
Students generate prompts, collect consecutive responses from ChatGPT, and analyze these iterations. The assignment provides hands-on experience with AI-generated content.
Comprehensive Skill Development
The assignment integrates writing, research, editing, collaboration, and critical thinking, ensuring students develop a wide range of essential skills.
Critical Analysis and Ethical Considerations
By summarizing, synthesizing, and editing AI responses, and conducting library research, students engage in critical evaluation and understand ethical implications of AI in writing.