AI and College Writing: An Orientation

The hardest part of using AI for search and social isn’t getting answers — it’s knowing which ones you can trust. AI can sound certain yet still miss the mark.

If you’re interested, this is an introductory resource designed for students. It’s not business-focused but introduces AI through a writing lens. One critical takeaway: recognizing bad AI advice matters. Poor guidance can lead to assignments that are wrong or worse, make students appear as if they’re cheating or don’t understand the material. In business, the stakes are even higher: trusting bad AI advice can waste budgets fast. The challenge is that AI often sounds confident even when it’s completely wrong. Knowing what to trust is essential.

This brief guide invites students to meet AI with curiosity and skepticism so they can decide whether and how to use it in their own learning.

AI and College Writing: An Orientation

AI is not appropriate for every assignment:

Understanding how and when to use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) is quickly emerging as an important skill for future professions. To that end, you can use generative AI tools in this class as long as it aligns with the learning outcomes or goals associated with assignments. You are fully responsible for the information you submit based on a generative AI query (such that it does not violate academic honesty standards, intellectual property laws, or standards of non-public research you are conducting through coursework). Your use of generative AI tools must be properly documented and cited for any work submitted in this course

You can use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) for brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, and proofreading for grammar/spelling. However, all writing must be your own. You must fact-check AI output, revise it to reflect your voice, and cite the tool used. AI cannot write or significantly rephrase your work.

When the assignment asks for personal examples, your response should reflect your own experiences, written in your authentic tone. Avoid generic or vague answers as is common for AI responses. Choose an example that clearly demonstrates something you have personally encountered and connects directly to the concepts in the assignment. This helps ensure your work is meaningful, original, and demonstrates your understanding.

Please remember that AI results can be biased and inaccurate. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information you use from AI is accurate. Additionally, pay attention to the privacy of your data. Many AI tools will incorporate and use any content you share, so be careful not to unintentionally share copyrighted materials, original work, or personal information.

Learning how to thoughtfully and strategically use AI-based tools may help you develop your skills, refine your work, and prepare you for your future career. If you have any questions about citation or about what constitutes academic integrity in this course, please feel free to contact me to discuss your concerns.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

As a student in this course, you will incorporate AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, image generators) while upholding academic integrity. AI should be used thoughtfully—only when appropriate—and all outputs must be verified for accuracy, bias, and appropriateness. You are responsible for ensuring that your submissions remain accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable sources.

Students may use AI tools to gather information for internal/external analysis, strategy examples, definitions, or functional strategy ideas.

In your submissions:

Highlight AI-generated content (e.g., in light gray).
Include a brief paragraph describing what you used AI for and the prompts you used.
Cite the AI source properly.

Example citation (APA style):

ChatGPT. (2025, January 15). Response to prompt about marketing strategy examples. OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/

Failure to document AI use or provide proper citation violates academic honesty policies. A student violating the policy will fail the assignment, may fail the course, and may be reported to the Vice President of Students for further academic disciplinary action, including a possible 0.0 in the entire course, probation, suspension, or even dismissal from the college.