15 Overcoming writer’s block
Purpose and important information
Sometimes it’s difficult to get started writing an assignment, essay or a creative piece. Generative AI tools can give you strategies and tips to help you with ideas for writing your assignment. Generative AI tools can also provide suggestions on how to expand or provide more detail when writing.
Important note: AI tools may sometimes generate inaccurate information. Make sure to exercise your own judgment and understanding of the class content to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the AI-generated content.
Prompt template
Note: The following prompt type is most suitable for language-based generative AI. In some generative AI tools, you will obtain higher-quality responses by using a series of prompts, rather than one longer prompt. Follow up prompts can be used to further explore an area.
This type of prompt first asks the generative AI tool to act in a relevant role, and then asks the tool to suggest techniques to overcome writers block for a topic and type of assignment.
Act as <a role> with expertise in <topic>. Suggest techniques for overcoming writer’s block for a <task> on <topic>.
Example prompt and output
The following example was tested in RMIT’s Val.
First prompt: Act as a university lecturer with expertise in business strategy, suggest techniques for overcoming writer’s block for a university essay on business models. Provide the information in a bullet point list with an explanation for each technique.
Follow-up prompt: Please provide an example of a detailed outline as mentioned in point 3.
RMIT University. (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au. See Appendix 8 for prompt used and text generated.
Prompt template
The prompt below has three parts. Firstly, the generative AI tool is asked to act in a relevant role. Secondly, relevant detail is provided (e.g. you are writing a journal article and have talked about …). The final part of the prompt specifies the task.
Act as <a role>. You are < e.g. writing a journal article and have talked about environmental themes>. Suggest <e.g. ways you can expand on this to provide a more thorough understanding of the topic>.
Example prompt and output
The following prompt was tested in Google Gemini.
Google. (2024). Gemini [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com/share/2aef19af69ed
