Artificial intelligence in academic writing: composing a for-and-against essay

Over the past years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) as its type have been extensively investigated and proved to be effectually employed within various spheres including education, offering promising opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning processes. However, the realization of these opportunities within the realm of Academic Writing (AW) instruction have not yet been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this article addresses this matter and exposes the results of a conducted analysis of the potential for integrating ChatGPT into AW instruction within the University curriculum. Specifically, it focuses on the issue of teaching master students how to create a successful for-and-against academic essay. Besides, the aim of this article is to develop an overarching framework for the incremental incorporation of ChatGPT into the AW course. To achieve this aim, the article resorts to such methods as theoretical positioning, comparative analysis, and qualitative research. Accordingly, the presented study expounds on the phenomenon of ChatGPT, its attributes, merits, and shortcomings, while also outlining the notion, features, key elements, and stages of producing for-and-against academic essays. In addition, it delineates the possibilities of ChatGPT’s application at various stages of essay writing, which may appear challenging for students. Furthermore, it recognizes potential drawbacks of ChatGPT, such as the risk of its overutilization and overreliance, which may result in obliterating students’ cognitive capabilities and AW skills. The presented study also underscores the necessity for additional immersion in the matter under discussion to address the issue related to long-term effects of integrating ChatGPT into AW instruction. Ultimately, the article sheds light on the AI’s dynamic integration in modern educational settings and provides implications for further research in this field.