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Generative AI

Before you start: Always check if and how the use of generative artificial intelligence is permitted in the preparation of your assessment task. Unauthorised use of generative AI or paraphrasing tools can be a form of academic misconduct.

Learning Outcomes / Objectives

This resource will help you to:

  • Use generative AI to help plan and structure academic assignments. 
  • Identify effective prompts for outlining your work. 
  • Interpret AI suggestions critically and tailor them to your task. 
  • Use AI ethically and in line with academic integrity guidelines. 

Overview: Using GenAI to plan your assignment structure

Staring at a blank page? Generative AI can help you turn that “Where do I start?” moment into a clear plan. By feeding it your assignment details — like the topic, word count, and task type — you can get suggestions for how to organise your ideas logically and effectively. It’s like having a second brain to help you build a scaffold, so your writing has flow, purpose, and structure from the start. Just make sure the final blueprint still matches your task requirements and voice — you’re the architect. 

Key principles for students

  • Structure = Clarity: A clear structure helps readers (and markers) follow your argument. Generative AI can help you organise ideas logically before you start writing. 
  • Prompting is a Skill: The more detail you give AI about your assignment, the more helpful the structure it suggests will be. 
  • You’re in Control: AI can suggest a framework, but it’s up to you to check that it matches your  task requirements and marking rubric. 
  • Integrity First: AI should never write your assignment for you. It’s a planning tool, not a ghostwriter. 

How to use GenAI to help structure your assignment

Note: Remember to always double check whether the use of GenAI is permitted within the task instructions BEFORE you apply this understanding and use your new GenAI for assignment structure skills. Unauthorised use can be a form of misconduct.

Before you start:

It is important to check if your course coordinator has provided an outline or example that includes an expected structure, or important inclusions. If so, we recommend you follow this first, before using GenAI.

Step 1: Clarify your task

Read your assignment instructions carefully. Know your word count, genre (e.g., essay, report), and key focus.

Step 2: Craft the prompt thoughtfully

Be specific in your prompts. Examples include:

  • "Suggest a structure for a [word count] [assignment type] on [topic]."
  • "What are common sections in a [assignment type] on this topic?"
  • "What headings could I use for a [assignment type] on [topic]?"

Step 3: Generate and review against your task sheet

Does the structure match your task requirements and marking criteria? Assess the relevance and quality of the ideas generated by AI. Discard what doesn't work.

At this point, you will likely need to make adjustments to the suggested structure.

Step 4: Flesh out with your own content

Start researching and recording your evidence based on the structure you have chosen.

Step 5: Acknowledge that you have used AI

Provide the appropriate acknowledgement for your AI use according to assignment instructions. For more details on how to acknowledge GenAI use, please see the below library guide:

Key information to provide GenAI when asking for help with structure

Table 1 below outlines the key information you should aim to provide GenAI when asking for help with structure and why it is important. When drafting a prompt, aim to include information on each of these aspects to ensure you generate the most relevant responses.

Table 1: Information to provide GenAI to obtain the most effective responses for assignment structure help
What to provide Why it matters
Your assignment task/description Tells the AI what you're being asked to do so it can suggest a structure that directly addresses the task.
The rubric or marking criteria Help the AI align the structure to the expectations (e.g., critical analysis, synthesis, structure, use of evidence).
Word count or length requirements Allows the AI to suggest how much detail to include in each section.
Your discipline or subject area Ensures suggestions are appropriate for the conventions of your field (e.g., education, science, nursing, business)
Type of assignment (e.g., reflection, report, literature review) Guides the structure according to the assignment type (e.g., reflection, report, essay, literature review)
Any specific content or themes your plan to include Allows the AI to personalise the structure around your ideas
Tone or format requirements Helps the AI match the structure to academic expectations and style (e.g., academic, professional, first-person, headings required).

Example: Using GenAI to structure your assignment

Example Scenario: You’ve been asked to write a 1500-word critical analysis on the ethical implications of AI in education, but you're not sure how to structure it. 

 

Your prompt to AI could be: “I am a third-year secondary education student writing a 1500-word critical analysis essay on the ethical implications of AI in education. Can you suggest a logical structure for this essay?"

AI might suggest: 

  • Introduction (150 words) – Brief background, definition of key terms, outline of argument. 
  • Ethical Benefits of AI in Education (400 words) – E.g. improved access, personalised learning. 
  • Ethical Concerns (600 words) – E.g. privacy, bias, academic integrity. 
  • Counterarguments and Discussion (200 words) – Address opposing views. 
  • Conclusion (150 words) – Summary and final thoughts. 

From here, you can adjust according to your rubric and ideas. 

Activity: Check your knowledge on GenAI prompts for structure help!

Consider the example scenario below:

Lauren is a second-year primary education student.  For one of her assignments, she has been asked to write a persuasive essay (max 1,000 words) in response to the following question: Which book format is best to encourage reading amongst early learners?  The task instructions specify that Lauren must argue for either physical books or e-books in her response, and must also include a counterargument. 

Lauren is unsure where to start, so puts the following prompt into a GenAI tool to help her:

"I need ideas for an essay structure looking at which book format is best to encourage reading amongst early learners."

Answer the following questions:

  1. Critique Lauren's prompt - would you make any changes? Why?
  2. Have a go inputting your adjusted prompt into a GenAI tool. What response do you get?

Review the information in this library guide for ideas on GenAI prompts. Then, check your answers by navigating to the tabs "Critiquing the prompt" and "Response from adjusted prompt".

Lauren's prompt was: "I need ideas for which book format is best to encourage reading amongst early learners."

1. Critiquing Lauren's prompt:

  • Missing assignment type and clear direction: Lauren does not specify she is looking for ideas for structure, nor does she specify the assignment type (persuasive essay).  Without this information, the GenAI tool does not know for what purpose she needs this information, or what tone is needed.
  • No context: Lauren does not mention that she is studying primary education, or which stage she is at in her university study. Providing this information will allow the GenAI response to be tailored to her situation.
  • Missing word count: Without this information, the GenAI tool cannot recommend word count distribution amongst the sections.
  • Missing specific limiters from the assignment description: The instructions specify that Lauren must argue for physical books or e-books, and that there must be a counter-argument as well. Incorporating this in will again ensure the output is as tailored as possible to the task instructions.

Potential adjusted prompt for Lauren: "I am a second-year primary education student writing a persuasive essay in response to this question: Which book format is best to encourage reading amongst early learners? I need to argue for either physical books or e-books, but must also include a counterargument. The essay can be up to 1,000 words long. Can you suggest a logical structure I can use for this assignment?"

Adjusted prompt: "I am a second-year primary education student writing a persuasive essay in response to this question: Which book format is best to encourage reading amongst early learners? I need to argue for either physical books or e-books, but must also include a counterargument. The essay can be up to 1,000 words long. Can you suggest a logical structure I can use for this assignment?"

2. Response from a GenAI tool

I provided Microsoft Copilot with the adjusted prompt and generated the below response:

Introduction (150–200 words)

  • Hook: Start with an engaging statement or statistic about early literacy and the impact of book formats.
  • Background: Briefly explain why early reading is crucial for childhood development.
  • Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position (either in favor of physical books or e-books) and outline your key supporting arguments.
  • Roadmap: Give a quick preview of what the essay will cover.

Body Argument 1: Engagement & Interactivity (200 words)

  • Discuss how your chosen format supports engagement.
  • For physical books: Talk about tactile interaction, turning pages, and the sensory experience.
  • For e-books: Highlight features like audio narration, animations, and interactive elements.
  • Provide evidence (research studies, expert opinions, or classroom examples).

Body Argument 2: Cognitive & Developmental Benefits (200 words)

  • Explain how your chosen format enhances comprehension, attention span, and retention.
  • Compare how children respond to physical books versus e-books in terms of focus and information absorption.
  • Include relevant studies or expert insights.

Argument 3: Accessibility & Convenience (200 words)

  • Discuss the practical advantages of your chosen format.
  • For physical books: Talk about fewer distractions, ease of access, and emotional bonding between child and caregiver.
  • For e-books: Mention affordability, portability, and adaptive features for diverse learners.

Counterargument & Rebuttal (150 words)

  • Present a strong opposing viewpoint.
  • If you argue for physical books, acknowledge that e-books can be more accessible and engaging.
  • If you argue for e-books, recognize that physical books provide sensory learning benefits and fewer distractions.
  • Refute the counterargument by emphasizing why your chosen format is ultimately more beneficial.

Conclusion (100–150 words)

  • Summarize key points.
  • Reinforce your thesis.
  • End with a compelling statement about the future of early literacy and how your preferred format supports lifelong reading habits.

Note: Your adjusted prompt and output may be different to mine - that is okay! Always check against the task instructions and your own judgement as to whether the prompt was effective and the response is useful

Additional resources

Check out the Academic Skills page (link below) for more detailed resources - including recommended structures - on each of the main assessment types offered here at UniSC:

Copilot access for UniSC students

Did you know? UniSC students have access to Microsoft Copilot, enabling students to engage in AI-assisted research, content development, and image creation with enterprise-grade data protection and properly referenced, current information.

Access Student Services

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References

This resource was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, a generative AI developed by OpenAI, to support structure, examples, and wording. All content has been reviewed and tailored for educational use. 

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