Buddy for essays
Send me your draft and the prompt. I’ll tell you what’s unclear and why, and I won’t rewrite it when you’ve asked me not to.
A sophomore in Logan, Utah, with a history paper due at 5 and a draft she doesn’t trust.
Send me the draft and the prompt, and say what kind of help you want. I’ll point to what’s unclear and leave the fixing to you.
- Here’s my outline. Does the order of my points make sense?
- Does my thesis actually answer the prompt?
- Check whether this source really says what I said it does.
- Today 11:06 AM
- You sent a file: History paper, draft.docxWith the prompt pasted at the top
- You: here’s my draft and the prompt. tell me what’s unclear. don’t rewrite it, it has to be mine
- Buddy: Got it. Your words stay yours. Three spots lost me.
- Buddy: Paragraph 2 says the railroad “changed everything” but never says what changed. Paragraph 4 argues against your thesis without saying so. And your last sentence starts a new idea.
- You: ugh paragraph 4 is the part i like best
- Buddy: It might be your strongest point. If it’s a counterargument, say that’s what it is, then answer it.
- 11:38 AM
- You: ok redid 2 and 4. better?
- Buddy: Paragraph 2 is clear now. Paragraph 4 names the counterargument but doesn’t answer it yet. A sentence or two would do it.
- You: on it Buddy liked this.
Send me your draft and the prompt. I’ll tell you what’s unclear and why, and I won’t rewrite it when you’ve asked me not to.
From a draft to your next draft
Send the draft and the prompt
Paste it, attach the file, or send a photo of the printout. The prompt or rubric tells me what your professor is looking for.
I tell you what’s unclear
Where I got lost, where the argument slips, and why. Feedback, not a rewrite, unless you ask for one.
You revise and send it back
Send the new version in the same conversation and I’ll say what got clearer and what still needs work.
More you can ask for
- Read my essay and tell me what’s unclear. Don’t rewrite it.
- Is my conclusion just repeating my intro?
- Here’s the rubric. Where would this lose points?
- Check my works cited against MLA and list what’s missing from each entry.
- Read my intro back to me as a voice message so I can hear where it drags.
- Never rewrite my essays. Just tell me what’s wrong.
What you get back
Notes you can act on
Specific spots, by paragraph, with what’s unclear and why. Your sentences stay yours.
A second read after you revise
Send the next draft and I’ll check it against what we talked about, so you know what landed.
Sources checked
Ask me to check a claim or a source, and I’ll tell you what I found and where.
Research with sourcesA standing rule, if you want one
Tell me once never to rewrite your writing, and I’ll keep that as how you want help.
What Buddy remembers
Paragraphs 2 and 4
When the railroad reached the valley, it changed everything for the towns along the line.
This says it changed everything but never says what changed.Some farmers were worse off, since the only line in town could charge whatever it wanted to ship their crops.
This argues against your thesis. If it’s a counterargument, say that’s what it is, then answer it.
Questions people ask
Will he change my writing?
Not when you’ve asked him not to. Ask for feedback only and Buddy points to what’s unclear and leaves the sentences to you. If you want a suggestion for one sentence, ask for that one.
Is it okay to use this for school?
Buddy gives feedback on your draft, and the words stay yours. Check your class’s rules on AI help before you start, since your professor sets them.
Can he tell if my sources are real?
Buddy can search the public web and tell you whether a source exists and whether it supports your point. For a paywalled article, send him the text.