AI and Plagiarism: 4 tips to detect AI usage on student writing

A lot of 2023 and 2024 has been about AI and plagiarism.

For better or worse, AI tools like ChatGPT have become common in the classroom, and today, we’re diving into the telltale signs that your students might be leaning on our AI friends for their assignments a little too much. If you’re wondering how to tell if your students are cheating using ChatGPT or other AI tools, you’ve come to the right place.

Now, don’t get me wrong – AI can be an incredible tool when used correctly, especially for tasks that enhance our potential. But as educators, we want our students to develop their own voice and critical thinking skills. So, let’s explore some red flags that might indicate a student’s work is more ChatGPT than human brainpower.

A lot of tools like Canvas, TurnitIn and Blackboard have implemented AI detectors - but do they even work? Research suggests the performance is mixed at best.

We believe that teachers should know the signs of AI plagiarism on writing - so here are 4 tips to detect AI usage on student writing:

1: Overused transitional words and phrases

These aren’t inherently bad words, but when you see a bunch of them peppered throughout an essay, it might be time to raise an eyebrow. Sometimes this means students made friends with a thesaurus extension.

• Accordingly
• Additionally
• Arguably
• Certainly
• Consequently
• Hence
• However
• Indeed
• Moreover
• Nevertheless
• Nonetheless
• Notwithstanding
• Thus
• Undoubtedly
• A testament to…
• In conclusion…
• In summary…
• It’s important to note/consider…
• It’s worth noting that…
• On the contrary…
• This is not an exhaustive list.

2: Adjectives that set off the AI alarm

If your normally laid-back student suddenly starts describing historical events as “a robust tapestry of interconnected socio-economic factors,” that’s a hint.

• Adept
• Commendable
• Dynamic
• Efficient
• Effervescent
• Essential
• Eponymous
• Ever-evolving
• Exciting
• Exemplary
• Innovative
• Invaluable
• Robust
• Seamless
• Synergistic
• Thought-provoking
• Transformative
• Utmost
• Vibrant
• Vital

3: Nouns that make you go “hmm”

Unless your students are secret consultants, these words and “the landscape of teenage angst in ‘The Catcher in the Rye’," probably shouldn’t show up in their essays.

• Efficiency
• Innovation
• Institution
• Integration
• Implementation
• Landscape (when not talking about actual land)
• Optimization
• Realm
• Tapestry
• Transformation

4: Verbs that stick out like a sore thumb

If a student writes, “the protagonist utilized her resources to facilitate a positive outcome,” consider asking them to explain what they mean in their own words. Everyone knows by now that ChatGPT loves a good “delving” into vague verbs.

• Anchors
• Aligns
• Augment
• Delve
• Elevate
• Embark
• Explore
• Facilitate
• Maximize
• Underscore
• Unleash
• Utilize

Example 1: history essay

Let’s say you’ve assigned an essay on the Industrial Revolution. Here’s what a ChatGPT-generated response might look like:

“The Industrial Revolution was a transformative period that ushered in unprecedented changes in the socio-economic landscape of the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s important to note that this era was characterized by innovative technological advancements, which facilitated a shift from agrarian economies to industrial powerhouses. Moreover, the revolution underscored the dynamic nature of human progress, as it augmented productivity and reshaped societal structures.”

Red flags:

• Overly complex sentence structures
• Vague statements without specific examples
• Overuse of transitional phrases and “fancy” words

Whereas a more authentic student response might sound like: “The Industrial Revolution changed how people lived and worked in the 1700s and 1800s. New machines in factories meant people moved from farms to cities for jobs. This led to big changes in society, like the growth of the middle class.”

Example 2: ELA essay

Imagine a student turns in this book report on “To Kill a Mockingbird”:

“Harper Lee’s magnum opus, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the realm of racial injustice and moral growth. The protagonist, Scout Finch, embarks on a transformative journey, navigating the complex tapestry of societal norms in the Deep South. It’s worth noting that Atticus Finch’s unwavering commitment to justice serves as a testament to the power of integrity in the face of adversity.”

Red flags:

• Overuse of flowery language
• Lack of personal insights or specific plot points
• Use of phrases like “it’s worth noting” and “serves as a testament to”

A middle school student might say: “In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Scout learns about racism in her town when her dad defends a Black man in court. The book shows how unfair people can be, but also how some people, like Atticus, try to do the right thing even when it’s hard.”

Example 3: science lab report

Picture this: you’ve assigned a simple lab report on photosynthesis. A student hands in this:

“The experiment unequivocally demonstrated the vital role of light in the process of photosynthesis. By leveraging varying light intensities, we were able to observe a direct correlation between luminosity and the rate of oxygen production. Furthermore, the data collected underscores the efficiency of chloroplasts in converting light energy into chemical energy, thus facilitating the synthesis of glucose.”

Red flags:

• Overly formal tone for a student lab report
• Writing as if they’re trying to impress an English teacher when they should be clear and direct for their science teacher
• Use of words like “unequivocally,” “leveraging,” and “underscores”
• Vague references to data without specific numbers or observations

A student might turn in: “Our experiment showed that plants need light for photosynthesis. When we gave the plants more light, they made more oxygen bubbles. This proves that light helps plants make food. We counted 20 bubbles per minute in bright light, but only 5 bubbles in dim light.”

So, what can we do about it?

1. Encourage personal voice: remind students that their unique perspectives are valuable. Ask them to include personal reactions or real-life connections in their work.
2. Teach paraphrasing skills: help students understand how to express complex ideas in their own words. This skill is crucial for developing critical thinking.
3. Design assignments that require creativity: instead of asking for straight facts, try assignments that need students to apply knowledge in new ways or connect ideas across subjects.
4. Use in-class handwritten essays: occasionally, have students write essays or responses during class time. This can help you get a sense of their true writing style and abilities.
5. Have open discussions about AI: talk to your students about the pros and cons of AI tools. Help them understand when it’s okay to use AI and when it’s important to rely on their own skills.
6. Focus on formative assessments: in an age of AI, assessing the process will tell you more about your students than assessing the outcome.

Remember, the goal isn’t to play “gotcha” with our students. It’s to help them develop writing skills that helps them grow as learners. By being aware of these AI red flags, we can guide our students towards more genuine, thoughtful work.

So, next time you’re grading papers and come across a suspiciously eloquent phrase about “delving into the intricate tapestry of historical events,” you’ll know it might be time for a heart-to-heart with your budding Shakespeare (or should I say, ChatSpeare?).

Want to dive deeper? Our resident Co-Teacher and AI wiz, Andrew, has got your back. He’s shared resources on tackling AI cheating, and understanding the spectrum of AI writing tools.

Happy teaching, folks!