Introduction

It’s no secret that students using AI to write essays are changing the way schools approach writing. But is relying on AI the best way for teens to improve their skills?

Sure, ChatGPT can whip up a polished paragraph in seconds, but does that really help your teen become a better writer?

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

In fact, there’s a major difference between AI doing the writing for your teen and your teen learning how to write on their own. Here’s why working with a writing tutor is still the gold standard for helping teens master this essential skill.

Finding Their Voice

A writing tutor doesn’t just teach mechanics; they help teens discover their unique voices.

For example, tutors work with students to use the vocabulary they already know while introducing new words they can confidently add to their repertoire. This ensures the writing feels authentic and actually sounds like the student. In contrast, ChatGPT can make a piece of writing sound polished, but the result often feels forced or awkward, like it doesn’t belong to the student at all.

A tutor ensures that a teen’s voice shines consistently through their writing, an invaluable skill they’ll carry for life.

Teaching Independence, Not Dependence

Writing tutors focus on empowering students to think and write independently. They teach teens how to brainstorm, organize their ideas, and create drafts that flow naturally.

For example, one of my students initially struggled to express her ideas without spending hours of writing and rewriting. Through our sessions, she learned to brainstorm effectively, plan her paragraphs, and write with confidence. Now, she can draft essays on her own within a much shorter timeframe.

ChatGPT, on the other hand, creates dependency. It’s tempting to let the AI do the hard work, but this prevents teens from developing the critical thinking and writing skills they’ll need in high school, college, their careers, and beyond.

Authenticity Matters

Teens often don’t realize how easy it is for teachers to spot AI-generated work. While ChatGPT can formalize their writing or add advanced vocabulary, it can also make their essays sound suspiciously polished. This not only raises red flags but also makes it harder for teachers to identify and address a student’s actual weaknesses.

A writing tutor, on the other hand, provides personalized feedback. They explain why a sentence doesn’t work, why a topic sentence needs rewriting, or why a paragraph lacks clarity. This level of guidance helps teens grow into authentic, confident writers, not students hiding behind AI.

Long-Term Growth Over Quick Fixes

Relying solely on ChatGPT is like putting a bandaid on a bigger issue. Yes, it can help teens “get by” on assignments, but it won’t teach them how to write better essays, craft compelling arguments, or edit their own work.

Writing tutors provide the tools students need to succeed long-term. They explain grammar rules, paragraph structure, and writing techniques in a way that sticks. With the support of these tutors, over time, teens learn how to self-edit, organize their thoughts, and write with purpose, with the added bonus of gaining confidence in their writing abilities, all without outsourcing the hard work to AI.

Why a Writing Tutor Is Worth the Investment

At the end of the day, students might find a quick fix in using AI to write essays, but they won’t develop real writing skills. Writing tutors provide the tools students need to succeed long-term by teaching them grammar, structure, and critical thinking in a way that sticks.

So, the next time you hear, “Why do I need a tutor when I have ChatGPT?” remember this: AI might be a shortcut, but a writing tutor is the real solution.