# Academic Writing with GPT-3.5: Reflections on Practices, Efficacy and Transparency

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.11079 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.11079/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 3 of its 19 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 12 Feb 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [The Radicalization Risks of GPT-3 and Advanced Neural Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2009.06807/) (2020)
- [Detecting Hate Speech with GPT-3](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.12407/) (2021)
- [How Large Language Models are Transforming Machine-Paraphrased Plagiarism](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.03568/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [When LLMs Play the Telephone Game: Cultural Attractors as Conceptual Tools to Evaluate LLMs in Multi-turn Settings](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.04503/) (2024)
- [Friend or Foe? Exploring the Implications of Large Language Models on the Science System](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.09928/) (2023)
- [Automating psychological hypothesis generation with AI: when large language models meet causal graph](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.14424/) (2024)
- [Shallow Synthesis of Knowledge in GPT-Generated Texts: A Case Study in Automatic Related Work Composition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.12255/) (2024)
- [Generative AI: Implications and Applications for Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.07605/) (2023)
- [System-Level Natural Language Feedback](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.13588/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The debate around the use of GPT 3.5 has been a popular topic among academics since the release of ChatGPT. Whilst some have argued for the advantages of GPT 3.5 in enhancing academic writing, others have raised concerns such as plagiarism, the spread of false information, and ecological issues. The need for finding ways to use GPT 3.5 models transparently has been voiced, and suggestions have been made on social media as to how to use GPT 3.5 models in a smart way. Nevertheless, to date, there is a lack of literature which clearly outlines how to use GPT 3.5 models in academic writing, how effective they are, and how to use them transparently. To address this, I conducted a personal experience experiment with GPT 3.5, specifically by using OpenAI text davinci 003 model, for writing this article. I identified five ways of using GPT 3.5: Chunk Stylist, Bullet to Paragraph, Talk Textualizer, Research Buddy, and Polisher. I reflected on their efficacy, and commented on their potential impact on writing ethics. Additionally, I provided a comprehensive document which shows the prompts I used, results I got from GPT 3.5, the final edits and visually compares those by showing the differences in percentages.