Is Using ChatGPT Considered Cheating?
I’m curious about whether it’s considered cheating to ask ChatGPT to help create an outline for a formative essay (not a final one) and then conduct my own research to add my opinions and statistics. I’m concerned that my teacher might think I cheated if they find out.
EDIT: Just to clarify, I didn’t have ChatGPT generate my argument. It only suggested where to place my argument and how to support it. It also assisted me with transitions since I struggle with those.
EDIT 2: Issue resolved.
Using ChatGPT to help you create an outline for your formative essay can be a great way to organize your thoughts and improve your writing process, especially if you feel stuck. Since you’re doing the research and adding your own opinions and statistics, it sounds like you’re actively engaging with the material rather than just copying answers.
It’s good that you’re aware of potential concerns about cheating. As long as you’re using the tool as a guide for structure and clarity, rather than bypassing your own critical thinking and effort, it can be considered a helpful resource—much like using a writing assistant or brainstorming with a friend. Just make sure you understand the content you’re working with, and it might be beneficial to check if your teacher has specific guidelines about using AI tools in your assignments. If you’ve resolved your worries, that’s great! Best of luck with your essay!