Keep the Flow Going
Use Completion to Finish What You Started
Sometimes you may begin writing a story, essay, or any piece of content but find yourself stuck before reaching the end. Rather than starting over or brainstorming alone, you can use the AI to continue your text based on what you’ve already written. By providing the AI with the beginning of a text and asking it to finish in a consistent style, you can overcome writer's block while ensuring that the completed work maintains the flow and tone of your original content. This technique is particularly helpful for creative writing, essays, and even song lyrics, as it allows you to leverage the AI’s capabilities while keeping your vision intact.
Tom’s Story: Completing the Perfect Essay
Tom is a college student working on an essay about the impact of social media on mental health. He's written a strong introduction and a few key paragraphs but has hit a bit of writer’s block on how to continue. Instead of staring at the blinking cursor, Tom decides to use ChatGPT to help him finish his essay. He knows that by providing the AI with what he’s already written, he can guide it to continue in the same style and tone.
Not using the best practice
Prompt
Write a paragraph about the impact of social media on mental health.
Response
Social media has become a significant part of our daily lives, connecting people across the globe. However, it has also been linked to various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The constant comparison to others, cyberbullying, and the pressure to present a perfect life online can take a toll on individuals' well-being.
While this paragraph is well-written, it’s generic and doesn’t connect seamlessly with what Tom has already written. The response feels like it’s starting from scratch rather than continuing his existing work.
Using the best practice
Prompt
I’m providing you with the beginning of my essay: "Social media platforms have revolutionized the way we communicate and share our lives. However, as these platforms grow in influence, so too do the concerns about their effects on mental health. Studies have shown that..." Finish it based on the words provided. Keep the flow consistent.
Response
...prolonged use of social media can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression, especially among younger users. The curated nature of social media feeds often promotes unrealistic standards, leading to a constant cycle of comparison and self-doubt. Moreover, the anonymity provided by these platforms can sometimes result in negative interactions, such as cyberbullying, which further exacerbates mental health issues. As we continue to explore the digital landscape, it is crucial to understand and address the psychological impact that these tools have on users.
By using the completion prompt, Tom received a response that seamlessly continues his essay, maintaining the same tone and flow. The AI picked up on the direction of his thoughts and built on them, providing a coherent and cohesive addition to his work.
Recap
Tom discovered that using completion prompts can be a powerful way to keep the flow of your writing consistent, especially when you’re stuck. By providing the AI with a clear starting point, you can ensure that the generated content feels like a natural extension of your original text. So, whether you’re finishing an essay, a story, or even a set of lyrics, remember: when you start strong, you can finish even stronger!