Local writers want you to go beyond ChatGPT
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Folks leaning on AI for their writing needs may be headed for trouble, local journalists write in the new book "Everybody Needs an Editor."
Driving the news: This snarky new writing guide (whose title our editor enthusiastically endorses), is launching at a time when millions are using AI for emails, corporate memos and school reports — sometimes really poorly.
Yes, but: The book tackles more than just work and academics with chapters that include:
- "How to Get Guests to Actually RSVP"
- "How to Write to Someone Who Ghosted You (Professionally, Romantically or Both)"
- "How to Add Warmth to a Cold Email, How to Deliver Bad Work News and How To Complain"
Zoom in: The book is written by Melissa Harris, a former Chicago Tribune business columnist, and Jenn Bane, a local book author. Mark Jacob, a former editor at the Tribune and the Sun-Times, edited the book.
What they're saying: Jacob told Axios that AI-assisted writing is helpful for tasks like outlines, but not for first-person writing because it can't intuit emotions and generally produces boring text.
- "Plus, it loves jargon and cliches," Jacob said.
Target readers: Everyone, but especially "people who are early in careers that require skillful communications," Bane says.
The goal: To get writers "to show more respect for people's time and … use the return key more," Bane says.
- "Paraphrasing Jason Fried of Basecamp: Long paragraphs get skipped. Short paragraphs get read."
💠Monica's thought bubble: I totally dig this zippy book and not just because it echoes Axios principles of my bosses' "Smart Brevity" book.
- Bundled they'd make a nifty gift combo for the writer in your life.