Lesson 2.1: AI-Assisted Pre-Writing Techniques — Teaching Writing in the Age of AI

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Lesson Text +

Concept Explanation

AI transforms the entire writing process, offering assistance at every stage. This lesson focuses on early steps in the writing process, from the initial spark of an idea to the structuring of thoughts. AI tools can enhance creativity and efficiency for these big-picture first steps. Using the powerful computing of AI, writers can streamline their planning and prepare more polished and effective content.

Brainstorming is the important stage where ideas are born. AI-driven tools can assist in this creative process by suggesting themes, connecting concepts, and even predicting future trends based on data. These tools use algorithms to analyze existing content, draw parallels, and inspire new thinking.
The outlining phase is where chaotic ideas find structure. AI tools can assist students in organizing their thoughts, providing templates, and suggesting logical flows based on the subject and writing style. Using natural language processing, these tools can understand the context, ensuring that the outline aligns with the writing objectives. AI both simplifies and elevates this task, enabling a more sophisticated and personalized approach to outlining.AI-Assisted Pre-Writing Techniques

Here are some specific examples of current tools that provide specific features:

Mind Mapping Tools: AI-powered tools like MindMeister integrate AI to help users visualize and connect ideas. These tools can suggest connections, highlight patterns, and even predict logical extensions of thoughts. In a classroom setting, they can facilitate collaboration, encourage diverse thinking, and make the brainstorming process more engaging and productive.
Outlining: One of the sites mentioned in the first lesson, Grammarly, offers an effective outlining option among its many tools. There are others more specifically geared toward outlining. One example is Writingmate, a simple interface that focuses on generating outlines. It gives you options of key points to add, the type of content (such as Blog Post or Report), tone, and number of sections.
Creative Content Planning: Once students have a topic and a brainstormed list of ideas, they can use an AI tool to generate various structured content. This offers them multiple approaches to address different aspects of their topic. For instance, Canva's Magic Write can quickly produce sample text, outlines, lists, captions, and content ideas. Canva also features a whiteboard tool that allows users to brainstorm, organize ideas, collaborate, and create visual designs on an infinite canvas.

Application

The combination of human creativity and AI's analytical abilities can be very beneficial in pre-writing instruction. AI can analyze data, predict patterns, and provide logical structure. Human insight adds in emotion, empathy, and subjective judgment. Students can use AI for tasks like research, organization, and refinement, freeing up time and cognitive space for creative thinking and personal expression.

Integrating AI into the pre-writing process doesn't replace human intelligence; instead, it augments it. Later in the course, we address what is known as the “SAMR model,” a concept in technology implementation that shows different levels of tech’s impact in our work. S = Substitution, A = Adaptation, M = Modification, and R = Redefinition. We don’t want Artificial Intelligence technology to be a Substitute for human intelligence. Instead, we hope to Redefine possibilities in the writing process. Rather than simply automating tasks, AI empowers individuals to achieve new levels of creativity, efficiency, and depth. This expands their capabilities as writers, moving beyond mere substitution to truly enhance learning.

Note: When allowing students to use these tools, make sure to clearly communicate expectations about how students should engage with them, and how they should indicate where they’ve used AI.

Process Help: Between the early outlining stage and the actual writing, students often need support in clarifying and strengthening their ideas. AI tools such as chatbots can provide guidance during this middle phase of the writing process, helping students organize their thoughts, refine their thesis, develop stronger arguments, and anticipate counterarguments.
Ethical Considerations in Early-Stage AI Collaboration: Integrating AI into the initial stages of the writing process also brings forth ethical considerations. Ensuring that AI tools are used responsibly, understanding their biases, and recognizing their limitations are essential. Students must learn not only how to use AI but also when and why. Educators must guide students in balancing dependence on AI with critical thinking and personal judgment, especially since a flawed concept generated early on might not be critically examined in later revisions.

There are a lot of tools that connect to the pre-writing process in different ways. Note that the list below is not exhaustive: There are literally thousands of AI ed tech sites.

Planning Tools: Platforms like Quillbot and ProWritingAid use AI to assist in early stages of writing, in both creative and analytical projects. They can suggest plot ideas, character development, and thematic connections, while also using the platform's analytical tools for idea generation and refinement
AI in Professional Writing: Jasper is a tool used to create marketing content, reports, and even journalistic pieces. This real-world application can inspire students to see the broader potential of AI in project planning and prepare them for future careers.
Chatbots: Chatbots can help with many of these same tasks; they just need to be prompted. Try prompts such as, “Can you help elaborate on the ideas in my outline?” or “Suggest three possible endings for this short story outline. Ask about characters’ personalities and motivations.” Google Docs, with Gemini integration, can rephrase, elaborate, or shorten text so you can refer to it for help as you write.

Moving forward in the pre-writing process, here are a few ideas for how AI can be incorporated:

AI for Big-Picture Organization: Chatbots can help students see the overall flow of their ideas, suggesting ways to group points, reorder sections, or identify missing connections. This can be especially useful during outlining and early drafting when students struggle to structure their thoughts. Try prompts such as, “Can you suggest a clearer organization for this essay outline?” or “What order would make these points flow more logically?”
AI for Thesis Clarification: Students often have strong ideas but struggle to express them as a clear, arguable thesis. An AI tool can help them refine a thesis statement so it is specific, focused, and aligned with their essay’s goals. Try prompts such as, “Can you help me rewrite my thesis so it is more precise?” or “Does this thesis clearly state an argument, or is it too broad?”
Finding avenues for research: When students have a broad outline, they could use AI to fill in relevant sub-points to research. This would help them make sure they cover the topic thoroughly.

Analysis

The integration of AI writing assistants is a double-edged sword. On one hand, tools like a grammar checker or an outlining aid can help students polish and organize their work more efficiently. This allows them to focus cognitive resources on developing ideas and style. However, an over-reliance on AI in early stages can hinder original thinking and voice. Students may fall into the trap of producing AI-generated “Frankenstein” texts rather than authentic work.

Classroom integration: Certain AI writing tools align well with classroom needs. Specialized apps provide personalized feedback on a particular area of the process, acting like virtual writing tutors. Collaborative platforms promote creativity and teamwork. However, open-ended chatbots like ChatGPT may promote plagiarism and over-reliance. Teachers should vet tools and require transparency in AI usage, or even set limits on the amount of AI assistance students can use. The goal is to harness AI's analytical abilities while nurturing critical thinking and voice. Specific, personalized feedback resonates more than generic AI content suggestions.
- Ask yourself: How will I decide what AI tools students can use? Will I allow different tools at different stages of the writing process? Or different tools for different assignment types?
Impact with learning disabilities: For students with learning disabilities, such as ADHD or dyslexia, AI tools can provide a supportive environment for building writing skills. Features like text-to-speech and speech-to-text lower barriers for researching and drafting. Grammar and vocabulary aids provide real-time feedback to boost comprehension and confidence. Planning tools can provide guardrails to organize thoughts. By taking care of rote tasks like spelling/grammar, AI enables students to dedicate energy towards high-level goals like style and coherence.
- Ask yourself: How could AI help even the playing field for my students of differing needs and abilities?

Learn More

Recommended Resources

Camargo, C. (2024, August 21). Breaking Down the Writing Process with AI. Information Technology - Northwestern University.
Furze, L. (2025, May 17). Artificial Intelligence Has Changed the Way I Write Forever. Leon Furze.
Walther, C. C. (2025, March 25). Is AI Quietly Rewiring How You Write, Or How You Think? Forbes.

Reflective Questions

How do you perceive the relationship between human writers and AI? Do you see AI as a threat, a tool, a collaborator, or something else?
How would you navigate the balance between the convenience of AI tools and the importance of original thought? In what situations might it be crucial to be wary of over-reliance on AI?
Think about your personal writing style and challenges. Which AI-assisted writing techniques or tools do you think would be most beneficial for your growth as a writer, and why?
How do you envision the landscape of AI in writing education evolving in the next 5 to 10 years? What are some potential benefits and challenges that educators might face as these technologies continue to advance?