Critical Assessment and Analysis Exercise

This assignment, by Nathan Murray and Elisa Tersigni, is from the TextGenEd collection in the WAC Clearinghouse Repository.

The abstract from the site explains:

This assignment asks first-year critical writing students to evaluate the reliability, factuality, and internal reasoning of three anonymized texts, one written by AI, that present conflicting opinions or information. By considering the strengths and weaknesses of these texts independent of contextual information, students are encouraged to develop critical reading skills as well as an awareness of the prevalence of misinformation from both human-generated and AI-generated sources online today.

Key Features of This Assignment

Critical Evaluation of AI-Generated Text
Students are required to critically evaluate the quality, accuracy, and coherence of AI-generated text. This helps them develop skills in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of AI-generated content.
Comparative Analysis
Students compare AI-generated responses to human-written responses, examining differences in style, clarity, and effectiveness. This comparative analysis enhances their understanding of the nuances in human and AI writing.
Reflection on AI’s Role in Writing
Students reflect on the potential uses and limitations of AI in the writing process. This reflection encourages them to think critically about how AI can be integrated into their own writing practices and its implications for the future of communication.