AI-Powered Persuasive Writing Lessons for English Learners
Twenty years ago, when I started my career as an ESL teacher in Houston, Texas, I remember the struggles of teaching persuasive writing to English learners. I had students who were bright, enthusiastic, and full of ideas, yet they faced real challenges in turning those thoughts into coherent arguments on paper. Many struggled with grammar and sentence structure, while others found it difficult to organize their thoughts logically or to build arguments that flowed convincingly.
I spent countless hours guiding them through the writing process, giving feedback, and encouraging them to think critically. It was rewarding work, but it was time-consuming and often left me wishing there was a way to give them the support they needed, instantly, as they worked.
Fast forward to 2023, and my classroom has transformed in ways I never anticipated. AI-powered tools have entered the educational landscape, and they’ve changed the way I teach writing–particularly persuasive writing. With AI’s assistance, my students are able to receive real-time feedback, suggestions for grammar and vocabulary, and even guidance on structuring their arguments. This support means they can learn and improve as they write, without waiting for me to read through every draft. AI has become an invaluable ally, and it’s helped me create a more dynamic, supportive environment where students can thrive.
Assessing student needs and selecting AI tools
Before diving into AI integration, it’s essential to understand where each student needs support. Whether they struggle with grammar, vocabulary, organization, or critical thinking, identifying these specific challenges allows for a targeted approach to using AI.
In my classroom, I noticed that students like Adel often had insightful ideas but struggled with structuring them effectively. His essay, “Money Can’t Buy Happiness,” included valuable reflections on emotional fulfillment and references to The Great Gatsby, yet his ideas were scattered, and the language needed refinement. AI could have helped him structure his argument, offering specific guidance on organization and clarity.
Selecting the right AI tools
– For grammar and language support: Tools like Grammarly and Quillbot can be helpful for catching grammar mistakes, punctuation, and phrasing issues. While the free versions cover basic errors, premium versions offer advanced style and tone suggestions, which can elevate student writing to the next level.
– For structuring and outlining: ChatGPT or Google Gemini are useful for generating outlines and brainstorming. For example, students can prompt ChatGPT with “Help me outline a persuasive essay on solar energy,” and it will provide a structured outline.
– For vocabulary enhancement: Wordtune is excellent for paraphrasing and finding synonyms, while Thesaurus.com is helpful for quick vocabulary adjustments, enabling students to diversify their language and avoid repetition.
Introducing AI tools to the classroom
Explaining how each tool will be used and setting clear expectations is crucial for effective integration. Walking students through the features helps them feel comfortable with the technology and confident in using it independently.
I created a short tutorial on Grammarly, showing students how it catches grammatical errors and offers suggestions. This helped students like Nour, who was passionate about his petition to save the Ganges River, to polish his language, ensuring that his message about the river’s pollution would resonate clearly with readers.