As instructors, we need to encourage students to meaningfully engage with ChatGPT. How do we do that? First, we need the essay prompt:
In World War Z, a global pandemic rapidly spreads, unleashing chaos, institutional breakdown, and the fragmentation of global cooperation. Though fictional, the film can be read as an allegory for the very real dysfunction and distrust that characterized the COVID-19 pandemic. Using World War Z as a cultural lens, write an essay in which you argue how the film metaphorically captures the collapse of public trust, the dangers of misinformation, and the failure of collective action in a hyper-polarized world. Support your argument with at least three of the following sources: Jonathan Haidt’s “Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid,” Ed Yong’s “How the Pandemic Defeated America,” Seyla Benhabib’s “The Return of the Sovereign,” and Zeynep Tufekci’s “We’re Asking the Wrong Questions of Facebook.”
Second, we need a detailed “how-to” assignment that teaches students to engage critically and transparently with AI tools like ChatGPT during the writing process—in the context of the World War Z essay prompt.
Assignment Title: How to Think With, Not Just Through, AI
Overview:
This assignment component requires you to document, reflect on, and revise your use of ChatGPT (or any other AI writing tool) while developing your World War Z analytical essay. Rather than treating AI like a magic trick that produces answers behind the curtain, this assignment asks you to lift the curtain and analyze the performance. What did the AI get right? Where did it fall short? And—most importantly—how did you shape the work?
This reflection will be submitted alongside your final essay and counts for 15% of your essay grade. It will be evaluated based on transparency, clarity, and the depth of your analysis.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prompt the Machine
Before you write your own thesis, ask ChatGPT a version of the following:
“Using World War Z as a cultural metaphor, write a thesis and outline for an essay that explores the collapse of public trust and the failure of global cooperation. Use at least two of the following sources: Jonathan Haidt, Ed Yong, Seyla Benhabib, and Zeynep Tufekci.”
You may modify the prompt, but record it exactly as you typed it. Save the AI’s entire response.
Step 2: Analyze the Output
Copy and paste the AI’s output into a Google Doc. Underneath it, write a 300–400 word critique that answers the following:
- What parts of the AI output were useful? (Thesis, outline, phrasing, examples, etc.)
- What felt generic, vague, or factually inaccurate?
- Did the AI capture the tone or depth you want in your own work? Why or why not?
- How did this output influence the direction or shape of your own ideas, either positively or negatively?
📌 Tip: If it gave you clichés like “in today’s world…” or “communication is key to society,” call them out! If it helped you identify a strong metaphor or organizational structure, give it credit—but explain how you built on it.
Step 3: Revise the Output (Optional But Encouraged)
Take one paragraph from the AI’s draft (thesis, topic sentence, body paragraph—your choice), and rewrite it into a stronger version. This is your chance to show:
- Stronger voice
- Clearer argument
- Better use of evidence
- More sophisticated style
Label the two versions:
- Original AI Version
- Your Revision
📌 This helps demonstrate your ability to evaluate and improve digital writing, a crucial part of critical thinking in the AI era.
Step 4: Reflection Log (Post-Essay)
After completing your final essay, write a short reflection (250–300 words) responding to these questions:
- What role did AI play in the development of your essay?
- How did you decide what to keep, change, or discard?
- Do you feel you relied on AI too much, too little, or just enough?
- How has this process changed your understanding of how to use (or not use) ChatGPT in academic work?
Submission Format:
Your AI Reflection Packet should include the following:
- The original prompt you gave ChatGPT
- The full AI-generated output
- Your 300–400 word critique of the AI’s work
- (Optional) Side-by-side paragraph: AI version + your revision
- Your 250–300 word final reflection
Submit as a single Google Doc or PDF titled:
LastName_AIReflection_WWZ
Grading Criteria (15 points):
| Criteria | Points |
| Honest and detailed documentation | 3 |
| Thoughtful analysis of AI output | 4 |
| Evidence of critical evaluation | 3 |
| (Optional) Quality of paragraph revision | 2 |
| Insightful final reflection | 3 |
Cinemorphosis 
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