A paragraph she couldn't explain
A student reads her essay out loud before she submits it. One paragraph uses wording from AI that she can't explain. She rewrites the paragraph in her own words and notes that she used AI to brainstorm.
AI Literacy · Q3: Before you turn in your work
Can I explain my work and how AI helped me?
Make sure you can explain your work, and be ready to tell your instructor how AI helped.
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Why it matters
Your grade is about what you learned. When you can explain your work, you show that learning, whether or not you used AI along the way.
Being open about AI use also protects you. If your instructor has questions about your work, a clear note and a trail of your work give you real answers.
Check your work before you turn it in
Explain your work out loud
Without looking, explain your main points, steps, or choices, as if your instructor asked you about them. If you get stuck on a part, go back and work on that part until you can explain your work.
Check the AI use label again
Read the label at the top of the assignment directions one more time. Make sure the way you used AI fits what the label allows.
Tell your instructor how AI helped
Follow the directions in the AI Course Policy for telling your instructor about AI use. If the policy doesn't say how, add a short note at the end of your work.
Look over your trail
Make sure your notes, drafts, and AI record are saved. If your instructor asks how you did the assignment, your trail shows how your work grew.
What to write in your note
Say which tool you used, what you used AI for, and what you did yourself. Keep the note short and specific. Here are a few samples:
"I used Copilot to brainstorm topic ideas. I chose the topic and wrote the paper myself."
"I asked Copilot to explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis. I checked Copilot's explanation against Chapter 4 and wrote my answers in my own words."
"I didn't use AI on this assignment."
Examples
A lab report with a short note
A student used Copilot to help format a data table in his lab report. The AI Course Policy asks for a note in the submission comments, so he writes: "I used Copilot to format Table 1. The data and the analysis are mine."
Your instructor's AI Course Policy and assignment directions always apply.
Suggest an addition or correction: email Stephanie Self.
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