Using AI to overcome writer’s block

Writing is hard. Even after years of academic writing, staring at a blank page can feel overwhelming. The pressure to produce polished prose from the start often leads to paralysis, especially when working with emerging ideas that aren’t fully formed. Using AI to overcome writer’s block might seem counterintuitive for academics who pride themselves on their writing, but it’s becoming an increasingly valuable tool for getting past that dreaded blank page.

Generative AI tools can help bridge this gap. While they often struggle to replicate your unique writing style, they excel at something equally valuable: helping you move past the blank page by creating workable first drafts that you can then reshape.

Using AI to overcome writer’s block

Here’s how to use AI effectively in your early writing process:

  1. Start with rough ideas: Share your initial thoughts with the AI, even if they’re messy or incomplete. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s getting something concrete to work with.
  2. Guide the output: Be specific about what you need. Try prompts like:
    • “Simplify the technical language while keeping the core message”
    • “Improve the logical flow of these paragraphs”
    • “Identify gaps in this argument”
    • “Highlight instances of passive voice”
  3. Treat AI output as raw material: Think of the AI’s writing as scaffolding – temporary support that helps you build toward your final piece. You’ll revise extensively, but having that initial structure makes the process less daunting.

Use AI for feedback on early drafts

Often, I know kind-of what I want to say but I haven’t yet figured out the details. Generative AI does an incredible job of taking my unstructured, early-stage thoughts and producing a first draft of reasonable quality. Try uploading a piece of text you’re struggling with to any of the major frontier AI models (i.e. Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini), and specify the improvements you’re looking for.

For example, you can ask the AI to:

  • Reduce the number of technical terms
  • Enhance the logical progression of the piece
  • Clarify the argument and internal logic
  • Point out all the instances of passive voice
  • Highlight inconsistencies in style

Using generative AI helps me get over the barrier that comes from staring at an early draft. It can quickly put words around your idea, and while they may not be the right words, they’re something to get you started.

Remember: Writing is hard, but rewriting is much easier. AI can help you generate that first rough draft, creating the head space you need to focus on what matters most – crafting your unique scholarly voice and message.


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