Okay, who REALLY wrote this essay?
I made this visual because I kept wondering: how do I actually know if a student used AI to write something?
Lately, I’ve been getting work that just doesn’t sound like the student I know. And I don’t want to jump to conclusions or play detective… but I also don’t want to ignore it.
So I pulled together some of the things I’ve noticed, little clues like:
A sudden leap to perfect grammar
Big fancy words that feel out of place
Writing that just… doesn’t have that personal spark
But here’s the thing: this isn’t about “catching” anyone. It’s about starting honest conversations and helping students learn how to use AI well with integrity and intention.
I’ve found that asking curious questions, setting clear expectations, and talking openly about AI use have helped a lot. I’m still figuring it out, though.
Have you had moments where a student’s work made you pause? How are you handling it?
