A great read for educators and everyone wondering why bother if AI is going to take over anyway. Good arguments and well thought out.

I wanted to write a review for this work for my blog, Cobleskill Commentaries; however, I have not been able to write about it comprehensively, so I am going to provide a concise review here.

John Warner's book More than Words should be required reading for any incoming student who is taking a composition class in college. The work speaks to how AI technologies like CHATGPT are only going to get stronger if we allow for that to happen....that we are the issue and that human beings still have, and always will have control, over what their behaviors are going to be. Warner speaks about voice and about how, as professors and teachers, we can read and recognize the differences between what is composed versus what is lab-created, so to speak. This work needs to be recognized as one of the better works about the education process, as it pertains to reading and writing, in the last decade. AI is not usable if we are not around...that needs to be addressed, so we can ensure original work is always being produced. This is about the possibility of losing one's voice by using a robotic one instead, and how much of an issue that truly is.

This was a super interesting read. I didn't realize how much AI has taken from the arts, especially writing. It's a fascinating look into the world of writing and AI, and how to combat it.

A fascinating look into the world of AI and writing. Information here I’ve started to use in my writing courses and has caused me to question and discontinue my use of these programs. Another fantastic book from Warner.

John Warner’s views on writing have been indispensable to me as a high school English teacher, and his exploration of what AI means for how we approach writing instruction is exactly what English teachers need in this moment. In More than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI, Warner continues his call for educators to create writing assignments that are authentic and engaging (the type of writing that AI can’t produce). More importantly, he explains how AI works and the ethical implications of AI use, which are vital to understanding its impact on the classroom. Ultimately, Warner shows the importance of writing to thinking and feeling and clearly identifies what is lost when that is outsourced to AI. More than Words is about so much more than writing instruction; it’s an argument for writing’s role in communication and connection, which is what makes teaching and learning meaningful.

Warner’s framework for thinking about AI, “Resist, Renew, Explore,” acknowledges that we cannot ignore AI’s presence or the impact it will likely have on our lives, and offers guidance for how to approach it. Since there’s a great danger in “leaping into an unknown without proper consideration,” there are times when we should clearly resist AI, but there are also times when we should explore what’s possible. However, Warner is clear that in our exploration, we need to be cautious and aware of potential harm. Should we be exposing students to AI chatbots in the classroom? What exactly are we teaching students by having them use AI? Does use of AI aid in skill development or hinder it? Shouldn’t we be arguing for more time to do our jobs rather than getting excited about being able to outsource important tasks like grading and leaving feedback to AI? These are all questions I’ve raised, and I’m grateful that John Warner addresses them in More than Words.

Teachers must contend with AI. There’s no way around it, but we need to have more nuanced conversations about the role it should play in our classrooms. More than Words brings up many strategies to navigate AI use and is a must for any educator.

John Warner's More Than Words is a timely and thought-provoking book, especially as as people become more dependent on Chat GPT and other large language models. It highlights how students may find it hard to think critically, write and read full-length books. The book addresses the challenges teachers face in this AI-driven and standardized testing era.

John Warner draws on his own experience as an educator and author and offers a balanced critique on the use of AI and proposes a new model of writing/ reading and thinking that large language models simply cannot replicate. More Than Words is an essential read for anyone wanting to help themselves or their students thrive and stand out in the age of AI.

Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for the free eARC. This review reflects my honest opinions.

An excellent argument for the need to keep humanity and communication at the heart of writing instruction. The book provides a thoughtful overview of the impact of AI on writing, teaching and learning, and society. I appreciated the discussion of how to not lose sight of our humanity as technology evolves. A book I will be recommending to students as well as to colleagues.

Wow, I really appreciate this book. As an English professor, I've been on the front lines and seen how generative AI troubles what I thought I knew about crafting writing assignments. This book will help me think with my students about what we want our time together to accomplish and what kinds of writers we want to be. That entails talking about aesthetics and values. Really great.

Warner seems to be saying to all teachers "Chill out" when it comes to AI. His book explores how AI will affect writing and he makes an important argument: AI may help our conventions and word choice better, but AI cannot in itself, be a writer. There is no human element, no thinking about editing for emotional appeal or audience the way in which human writers can. AI cannot feel, cannot try to relate on an intimate human level. That should reassure people who think that for some reason AI will create a bunch of drones typing prompts away.
The book gives a great explanation of AI and how these programs work (although I got lost a little) but he gives some practical advice on writing in the "Age of AI" that should make us stop and reflect on our humanity that we may have lost in the age of mass communication. I wish he could come talk to my colleagues who feel education is doomed.

This is one of the most important, powerful, and passionate books I have ever read. It’s not just about AI and writing; it’s about what it means to be human. The book articulates in an engaging, accessible way what I deeply believe about writing and teaching. Warner argues that if a task can be completed without any thought or feeling (that is, completed by ChatGPT), it’s usually not worth doing. Indeed, such tasks will kill our students’ interest in writing.

The book discusses the damage done by ChatGPT and other LLMs, but just as importantly, it explains with hope and humor what writing IS for. It should help students assert their identity through developing ideas and processing feelings.

If you are a teacher, student, parent, or writer in any capacity, you need to read this book! I am recommending it to all of my colleagues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is cross-posted on Goodreads and Instagram, and will also be posted on retail sites upon the book’s publication.