Why Writing Still Matters in the Age of ChatGPT

Convincing the Digital Generation

Key Takeaways (from the TLDR bot)

• Critical Thinking: Writing helps you process and refine your thoughts, building critical thinking skills that AI can't provide.

• Personal Voice: Writing allows you to express your unique perspective and individuality, something AI can't replicate.*

• Skill Development: Regular writing practice is essential for improving your skills, unlike relying on AI.

• Future Value: Strong writing is crucial for effective communication and is highly valued by employers.

• Empowerment: Writing empowers you to share your ideas and connect with others in a way AI cannot.

  *Oh, really? Are we sure about that?

In a world where ChatGPT can churn out essays in seconds, it's no wonder that students might question the value of writing. After all, if an AI can do it for you, why bother? But here's the thing: writing isn’t just about putting words on a page. It’s about thinking, connecting, and discovering who you are. In this post, I want to explore why writing remains an essential skill—especially in an era where AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Writing as a Form of Thinking

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: yes, ChatGPT can generate text that looks like an essay, but it can’t think for you. Writing is more than stringing together sentences; it’s a way to process information and refine your thoughts. When you write, you're engaging in a conversation with yourself—clarifying ideas, testing hypotheses, and uncovering insights. It’s in this act of writing that you move from simply consuming information to actually understanding it.

Take, for example, the process of writing a research paper. As you sift through sources, you’re not just gathering quotes to fill up pages; you’re synthesizing information, identifying patterns, and constructing arguments. These cognitive processes are crucial to developing critical thinking skills—skills that an AI, no matter how advanced, can't develop on your behalf.

Personal Voice and Expression

Another reason writing matters is that it allows you to develop your unique voice. While ChatGPT might be able to mimic various tones and styles, it doesn’t have your personal experiences, passions, or quirks. Writing is an opportunity to express who you are, what you believe, and how you see the world. This voice isn’t something that can be automated—it’s a reflection of your individuality.

Consider how personal essays or reflective journals function. These are not just academic exercises; they’re spaces where you can explore your identity, confront your challenges, and articulate your dreams. Writing in these forms allows you to connect with others on a deeply personal level, something that a generic AI-generated essay can never replicate.

The Importance of Practice

Let’s not forget that writing is also a skill that improves with practice. While it might be tempting to rely on AI tools to get the job done, doing so could stunt your growth as a writer. Writing, like any other skill, requires time and effort to develop. The more you write, the better you become at organizing your thoughts, choosing the right words, and conveying your ideas clearly and persuasively.

Imagine trying to learn how to play a musical instrument without ever practicing. You might know the theory, but you’d never develop the muscle memory or the intuition needed to play well. The same goes for writing—without regular practice, you miss out on the opportunity to refine your skills and discover your potential as a writer.

Writing for the Future

If you’re still not convinced, consider the broader implications of relying solely on AI for writing. In a world where communication is increasingly mediated through digital platforms, the ability to write clearly and effectively is more important than ever. Whether you’re drafting an email, writing a report, or even crafting a social media post, strong writing skills will set you apart.

Even more important, employers value candidates who can think critically, communicate effectively, and articulate their ideas clearly. These are skills that can’t be outsourced to AI—they require a human touch. By honing your writing abilities now, you’re investing in your future success.

Conclusion: Writing as Empowerment

So, while ChatGPT and other AI tools can certainly assist in the writing process, they shouldn’t replace it. Writing is a powerful tool for learning, self-expression, and personal growth. It’s a way to connect with others, share your ideas, and make your mark on the world. And that’s something no AI can do for you.

In the end, writing still matters because you matter. Your thoughts, your voice, and your ability to communicate are uniquely yours. So, the next time you’re tempted to let ChatGPT do the heavy lifting, remember that writing isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about the journey of discovery along the way. Keep writing, because the world needs to hear what you have to say.

I acknowledge the use of the Liza Long persona GPT built with ChatGPT 4o (not yet and probably never available to the public) to write this essay almost in its entirety. I did remove the word “moreover” because I hate it—and after it wrote this inspirational drivel, I aligned the bot more closely to avoid this word, as well as the first line “In a world” in future attempts to write my blog posts. I chose to use generative AI for this task because I wanted to know if I could train it to sound like me, and I think it basically does, right down to the fun metaphors and plethora of em dashes (my favorite punctuation mark). If a student were to create a custom GPT trained on their writing, they could probably fool me. So, yeah. It’s going to be an interesting year teaching first-year writing. At the end of the day, we write because we love it. And if students don’t love writing, they probably won’t write. Anyway, happy prompting!