Artful AI in Writing Instruction
Corwin Literacy
This book explores technology with humility, critiquing its drawbacks and harnessing its strengths, in an effort to guide teachers on how to use AI to help students grow their thinking and their skills rather than bypassing that development.
- Grade Level: 6-12
- ISBN: 9781071978597
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2025
- Page Count: 232
- Publication date: June 03, 2025
Review Copies
Description
Discover strategies to use AI thoughtfully in every stage of the writing process—without compromising creativity or critical thinking
Feeling conflicted about integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into your writing instruction? You’re not alone. In a world where AI-generated text can seem like a writing teacher’s enemy, incorporating it into writing instruction may feel like an act of betrayal. The advent of generative AI might feel like “one more thing” eroding students’ capacity for deep thinking.
Artful AI in Writing Instruction offers strategies and lessons for middle and high school teachers to harness AI in a positive way, integrating it into the writing process and evaluating the ethics of its usage. Written by a full-time high school teacher, Brett Vogelsinger, the book focuses on evergreen principles and ideas rather than specific AI tools, providing concrete steps and lessons that teachers can implement without being technology experts. Acknowledging the varying perspectives of teachers on AI in writing instruction, from skepticism to enthusiasm, Brett offers a human-centered, considered, and ethical approach to using generative AI in the classroom.
Demonstrating how AI can be used artfully in the classroom to enhance students' writing skills and foster reflection on the writing process, this book
- Provides standards-aligned lessons that detail how AI can support instruction and assist students at each step of the writing process from prewriting through publishing
- Emphasizes how to use AI tools to mine authentic human ideas and enhance creativity in the classroom
- Aims to help teachers build a healthy relationship with AI technology and use it thoughtfully in their writing instruction
- Includes chapter features such as quotes from esteemed writers, real teacher and student voices, cautionary notes, and "Bot Thoughts" entries of example AI output
Artful AI in Writing Instruction is a book that explores technology with humility, critiquing its drawbacks and harnessing its strengths, in an effort to guide teachers on how to use AI to help students grow their thinking and their skills rather than bypassing that development.
Author(s)

Brett Vogelsinger
Brett Vogelsinger has been teaching English for over twenty years and currently teaches a full schedule of students at Central Bucks High School South in Bucks County, PA. He is the author of Poetry Pauses: Teaching with Poems to Elevate Student Writing in All Genres. He is also a regular contributor at Moving Writers (www.movingwriters.org) and has been featured on Edutopia, NCTE Verse, NPR's MindShift podcast, and The New York Times Learning Network. When not teaching, grading, or writing about such things, you will likely find him spending time with his family, his garden, or the Jenga tower of books he plans to read. You can find him on most social media @theVogelman or at his website, www.brettvogelsinger.com.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Preparing for Artful Choices
Chapter 2: Prewriting with AI as a Partner
Chapter 3: Drafting and Crafting With AI
Chapter 4: Improving Syntax and Diction With AI
Chapter 5: Offering Feedback Techniques with AI
Chapter 6: Creating Student Guides and Opportunities for Practice
Chapter 7: Six Principles to Move Forward in Writing Instruction With AI
Appendix: Lesson Handouts
References
Index
Reviews
Considering Brett Vogelsinger’s reputation as a true teacher’s teacher, the fact Artful AI in Writing Instruction is both eminently usable and a joy to read is no surprise. Eschewing the polarizing framing of LLMs as either the savior or downfall of education, Vogelsinger delivers a cautiously optimistic guide for AI curious educators hoping to hone their writing instruction. Whether you are an artificial intelligence aficionado or just starting out, this book is jam packed with excellent tips, tricks, and resources. Better still, it never loses sight of the fact that, regardless of the technology involved, writing instruction is all about human connection and communication.
Trevor AleoConsidering Brett Vogelsinger’s reputation as a true teacher’s teacher, the fact Artful AI in Writing Instruction is both eminently usable and a joy to read is no surprise. Eschewing the polarizing framing of LLMs as either the savior or downfall of education, Vogelsinger delivers a cautiously optimistic guide for AI curious educators hoping to hone their writing instruction. Whether you are an artificial intelligence aficionado or just starting out, this book is jam packed with excellent tips, tricks, and resources. Better still, it never loses sight of the fact that, regardless of the technology involved, writing instruction is all about human connection and communication.
Teacher and Educational Consultant Greenwich Country Day School, CT
In the quickly shifting world of AI, Vogelsinger offers specific ways to put stakes in the ground in regard to AI in writing instruction These lessons with input from students and teachers across the country offer ideas of how AI can be a tool to enhance student ideas and processes - not replace them. Highly recommend!
Susan BarberIn the quickly shifting world of AI, Vogelsinger offers specific ways to put stakes in the ground in regard to AI in writing instruction These lessons with input from students and teachers across the country offer ideas of how AI can be a tool to enhance student ideas and processes - not replace them. Highly recommend!
English teacher, author, and consultant Midtown High School
The future of writing is here, and it's powered by AI. Brett Vogelsinger's creates the roadmap that equips teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate this new landscape. Learn how to ethically and effectively integrate AI into your writing instruction, empowering students to become exceptional writers who express their unique voices in an AI-driven world.
Aaron BlackwelderThe future of writing is here, and it's powered by AI. Brett Vogelsinger's creates the roadmap that equips teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate this new landscape. Learn how to ethically and effectively integrate AI into your writing instruction, empowering students to become exceptional writers who express their unique voices in an AI-driven world.
Digital Learning Coach Author of Future Ready Teaching With AI
Artful AI in Writing Instruction is an essential guide for educators navigating the complexities of integrating AI into teaching. Brett Vogelsinger blends practical strategies with a human-centered philosophy, empowering teachers to cultivate creativity and critical thinking while embracing technology. This book inspires meaningful dialogue and equips classrooms to thrive in the age of AI.
Jason JaffeArtful AI in Writing Instruction is an essential guide for educators navigating the complexities of integrating AI into teaching. Brett Vogelsinger blends practical strategies with a human-centered philosophy, empowering teachers to cultivate creativity and critical thinking while embracing technology. This book inspires meaningful dialogue and equips classrooms to thrive in the age of AI.
Director of Technology and Innovation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here. As educators we can run from it, bury our heads in the sand, or refuse to embrace it. But it's here. Our students are using it in productive (and often not-so-productive) ways. Artful AI in Writing Instruction is the book we need right now! Brett has created the perfect resource to help educators embrace and utilize the tools at our disposal to INCREASE student learning and engagement. I can't wait to share this book with more of my ELAR friends!
Todd Nesloney
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here. As educators we can run from it, bury our heads in the sand, or refuse to embrace it. But it's here. Our students are using it in productive (and often not-so-productive) ways. Artful AI in Writing Instruction is the book we need right now! Brett has created the perfect resource to help educators embrace and utilize the tools at our disposal to INCREASE student learning and engagement. I can't wait to share this book with more of my ELAR friends!
Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership, TEPSA
Artful AI in Writing Instruction brings Brett's characteristic curiosity and sensitivity to one of the biggest question marks in education today. A brilliant overview of the issues surrounding AI in the classroom, Brett also offers practical lesson plans to help students develop their own philosophy and practices around thoughtful, ethical, artful AI usage. This is a gem for teachers and students alike!
Rebekah O’DellArtful AI in Writing Instruction brings Brett's characteristic curiosity and sensitivity to one of the biggest question marks in education today. A brilliant overview of the issues surrounding AI in the classroom, Brett also offers practical lesson plans to help students develop their own philosophy and practices around thoughtful, ethical, artful AI usage. This is a gem for teachers and students alike!
Moving Writers
Brett Vogelsinger’s Artful AI in Writing Instruction is a guide for educators seeking to thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into their writing classrooms. With a human-centered approach, Vogelsinger empowers teachers to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and engagement while maintaining the heart of authentic writing instruction. This book is an essential resource for anyone navigating the intersection of technology and education with purpose and care.”
Glenn RobbinsBrett Vogelsinger’s Artful AI in Writing Instruction is a guide for educators seeking to thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into their writing classrooms. With a human-centered approach, Vogelsinger empowers teachers to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and engagement while maintaining the heart of authentic writing instruction. This book is an essential resource for anyone navigating the intersection of technology and education with purpose and care.”
Award Winning Educational Leader, Best Selling Author, and Speaker.
Artificial Intelligence can be a co-partner in learning for students and teachers. Vogelsinger finds the right balance between the fears and the promises of using AI as a digital tool. Whether you want to dip your toes into AI for writing instruction or dive deep, in these pages you will find the strategies, activities, and promising practices that help students let go of their writing fears to unlock the critical thinking skills every writer needs.
Andy SchoenbornArtificial Intelligence can be a co-partner in learning for students and teachers. Vogelsinger finds the right balance between the fears and the promises of using AI as a digital tool. Whether you want to dip your toes into AI for writing instruction or dive deep, in these pages you will find the strategies, activities, and promising practices that help students let go of their writing fears to unlock the critical thinking skills every writer needs.
High School Teacher Clare Public Schools / Chippewa River Writing Project, MI
A thoughtful meditation on AI's role in writing instruction, Brett balances his attention to pedagogical craft and human, cultural care with great intention. Rather than chasing quick fixes, this nuanced guide helps teachers navigate the ethical complexities of AI in order to support today's learners, who must do the same. His humble approach invites us to question, explore, and imagine how AI can deepen—rather than shortcut—the writing process.
Angela StockmanA thoughtful meditation on AI's role in writing instruction, Brett balances his attention to pedagogical craft and human, cultural care with great intention. Rather than chasing quick fixes, this nuanced guide helps teachers navigate the ethical complexities of AI in order to support today's learners, who must do the same. His humble approach invites us to question, explore, and imagine how AI can deepen—rather than shortcut—the writing process.
Author, Teacher, Professional Learning Facilitator
Review Copies
Related Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.