I am gearing up to start my next unit. I’ll read The Great Gatsby. The kids will write and produce podcasts about their experiences reading the novel. I’ll build around three different themes — self-invention, authenticity, and the American Dream.

I came up with these articles and was proud of myself for keeping track of things and having some good ideas.

Waking up from the American Dream 

Self-invention/Authenticity 

Self-invention: Doing the Work 

The Rise of Therapy Speak 

College Single Mother (Land Excerpt)

So let’s see what the AI came up with:

If I were teaching The Great Gatsby and needed articles to accompany the unit, articles that focused on authenticity, self-improvement, and the American Dream, what articles would you suggest? I would want them to come from reputable media outlets and/or published texts.

So the AI comes back with this and I’m thrilled — one of my favorite non-fiction writers!

Authenticity:

• Article: “The Age of Authenticity” by Adam Gopnik
• Source: The New Yorker
• Link: The Age of Authenticity

This article delves into the concept of authenticity in contemporary culture and explores its implications on personal identity and societal values.

I poke and I can’t find it. So I ask the AI for an exact citation. Here’s the response:

I apologize for any confusion, but the specific details I provided, including the article title, author, and link, were fictional examples created for illustrative purposes.

So what’s happening here? The AI is guessing that there’s a high likelihood that Adam Gopnik might have been writing about this idea at that time? That someone in the New Yorker was doing so? The other responses were equally non-existent but led to me a few places that might be helpful.

Considering the number of experts that have said things like “hey, it’s great for kids looking to find sources!” I’m a little puzzled.

Each year I have my English Three students write a letter, in essay form, to their descendants. Patterned on Ta-Nehesi Coates’s book, Between the World and Me, students compose a shorter version. They must also use section breaks that they’ve selected from Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself.

I write the essay too. I send it to my descendants. I think they read it.

Today I used Chat GPT to get feedback.

The good news: it is solid, helpful feedback that would help me improve my essay. It took the thing less then three seconds:

This is a brief essay I wrote for my children. Please read it and make suggestions on how I can be clearer, if I am convincing or not, and if the essay is coherent.

Your essay is heartfelt and contains valuable advice for your children as they approach adulthood. Here are some suggestions to enhance clarity, coherence, and convincingness:

1. Introduction:
   • Consider adding a sentence that explicitly states the purpose of the letter. For example, you could mention that you want to share some life advice with them as they prepare to leave the nest.
2. Use of Quotations:
   • The lines “Backward I see in my own days…” might be a bit challenging for readers. Consider providing a brief context or explanation for these lines to make them more accessible.
3. Consistency in Tone:
   • Ensure consistency in the tone throughout the essay. For example, in the paragraph that begins with “But a little bit at a time? It’s boring…”, you may want to maintain a balance between the serious tone and a touch of humor. This will make the advice more relatable.
4. Analogies:
   • Analogies are effective in conveying your message. When using the examples of boxers, writers, and gardeners, consider expanding on each analogy to help your children better relate to the concepts of drudgery and perseverance.
5. Transition Phrases:
   • Incorporate transition phrases between paragraphs to ensure a smooth flow of ideas. For instance, between the paragraph about drudgery and the one about neighborhood trees, you could use a phrase like “Speaking of perseverance…”
6. Clarity in Imagery:
   • In the paragraph about planting seeds, consider simplifying the language to enhance clarity. Instead of “the nature of much of existence,” you might say something like “that’s how life often works.”
7. Repetition for Emphasis:
   • Emphasize key points by repeating them strategically throughout the essay. For instance, reinforce the idea of doing things “a bit at a time” to highlight its importance.
8. Closing:
   • Strengthen the closing by reiterating your love for them and expressing confidence in their ability to navigate the challenges of adulthood. Encourage an open line of communication by emphasizing your availability for support.
9. Proofreading:
   • Perform a thorough proofread for grammatical errors and typos to ensure a polished final version.
10. Encourage Reflection:
    • Consider adding a brief section that encourages your children to reflect on their own dreams, goals, and the ways they plan to approach them. This can make the advice more personal and actionable.

Remember that your personal touch and sincerity are the strengths of the essay. Adjustments can be made based on your preferences and your children’s personalities.

MC: This is solid feedback. Too general? Maybe it’s applicable to every essay but it doesn’t mean it’s not helpful.

---

Then I asked it to come up with additional quotes from Song of Myself that match what I’m trying to say. Sigh. It nailed it:

“I exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware, I sit content,
And if each and all be aware, I sit content.”

---

Then I thought about one of my favorite essays — Politics and the English Language — and asked the AI to compare it:

I am going to paste in my essay. How does my essay compare to George Orwell’s essay, Politics and the English Language? What could I learn from his prose? What could he learn from mine?

Comparing your essay with George Orwell’s essay, “Politics and the English Language,” reveals both commonalities and differences in style and content. Here’s an analysis:

Similarities:

1. Clarity of Language:
   • Like Orwell, your writing is generally clear and straightforward. You convey your thoughts in a manner that is easily understandable.
2. Personal Tone:
   • Both essays adopt a personal tone. Orwell’s essay reflects his personal views on language, while your essay is a letter from a parent to children, creating an intimate connection with the reader.
3. Concrete Imagery:
   • Both essays employ concrete imagery to illustrate points. Orwell uses vivid examples to criticize vague and inflated language, while you use metaphors like “Boxers running four slow miles in the cold” to depict the concept of drudgery.

Differences:

1. Purpose and Focus:
   • Orwell’s essay primarily critiques political language and its manipulation, aiming to promote clear and honest expression. Your essay, on the other hand, focuses on life advice and the importance of perseverance, especially when faced with challenges.
2. Use of Literary Devices:
   • Orwell emphasizes the misuse of language in politics and the degradation of communication. In contrast, your essay employs literary devices like metaphors and analogies to convey life lessons.
3. Narrative Style:
   • Your essay takes on a narrative style as a letter from a father to children, whereas Orwell’s essay is more of an analytical and critical commentary.

What You Could Learn from Orwell:

1. Precision and Economy:
   • Orwell emphasizes the importance of choosing words carefully and avoiding unnecessary words. Consider revisiting your essay to ensure every word serves a clear purpose.
2. Elimination of Clichés:
   • Orwell advises against using overused phrases. While your essay doesn’t heavily rely on clichés, ensuring freshness in expression could strengthen your writing further.
3. Avoiding Dying Metaphors:
   • Orwell warns against using metaphors that have lost their original impact. Evaluate your metaphors to ensure they resonate effectively with your audience.

What Orwell Could Learn from You:

1. Emotional Connection:
   • Your personal and emotive approach establishes a strong emotional connection. Orwell’s essay, being more analytical, lacks the emotional depth that your letter to your children provides.
2. Positive Reinforcement:
   • Orwell’s essay is critical in nature, whereas yours is more positive and encouraging. Balancing critique with positive reinforcement can create a well-rounded message.
3. Application of Advice:
   • Orwell’s essay focuses on language use in a broader sense, while your essay provides practical advice for personal and professional growth. Incorporating real-life examples could make Orwell’s critique more tangible.

In summary, both essays excel in their respective styles and purposes. Learning from each other involves incorporating the strengths of each approach to create a more well-rounded and impactful piece.

---

MC: I know I’m not George Orwell and never will be. And he was writing for a different purpose. The feedback made me feel better about the world, though, and reminded me of nuggets from that essay I need to keep in mind whenever I write.