Best AI for writing: CVs, emails, essays, posts, stories and Kiswahili
Writing is what AI chat assistants do best. Used well, they help you start faster, write more clearly and fix mistakes. Used badly, they produce bland text that sounds like everyone else, or text with made-up facts.
The best tools for writing
| Tool | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | Long, careful, natural-sounding writing; editing long documents; following a style | Strong at keeping your voice and at long texts |
| ChatGPT | All-round writing, brainstorming, many formats; also images and voice | Very popular; lots of templates and tutorials |
| Gemini | Writing inside Gmail and Google Docs | Handy if you live in Google Workspace |
| Microsoft Copilot | Writing inside Word and Outlook | Best for offices using Microsoft 365 |
| Grammarly | Grammar, spelling, tone and clarity as you type | Works in browsers, email and Word |
| QuillBot | Rephrasing and summarising | Use carefully: rephrasing someone else's work is still plagiarism |
| DeepL / Google Translate | Translation between languages | Always have a fluent person check important translations |
Which is "the best"? For most writing, the top chat assistants are close; many writers prefer Claude for natural long-form writing and ChatGPT for variety. Try both with the same prompt and keep the one whose style you like.
The 5-step writing workflow
- Give context: who you are, who will read it, the goal and the tone.
- Give your raw material: your notes, facts, bullet points or a rough draft. AI writes best when you provide the facts.
- Ask for a draft in a clear format and length.
- Edit it yourself: add your own examples, cut generic phrases, check every fact, name and number.
- Ask for a final polish: "Check grammar and make it more concise. Don't change the meaning."
Ready prompts
Professional email
Write a short, polite email to a client who hasn't paid an invoice of KSh 25,000 that was due 10 days ago.
Tone: friendly but firm. Mention they can pay by M-Pesa Till 123456. Under 120 words.CV profile
Here are my details: [paste education, skills, experience].
Write a 3-sentence CV profile for a junior web developer job in Nairobi.
Use plain, confident language. No clichés like "hardworking team player". Don't invent experience.Social media post
Write 3 different Facebook posts for my salon in Kenol announcing a Saturday offer: 20% off braids.
Audience: women aged 18–35. Friendly tone, one emoji each, end with "Book on WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX".Improve my draft
Improve this paragraph: make it clearer and shorter, keep my voice, and list the changes you made.
[paste your text]Writing in Kiswahili and other languages
- The big chat assistants write and translate Kiswahili reasonably well, but they sometimes use unnatural or overly formal phrases.
- Tell it the style: "Andika kwa Kiswahili rahisi cha kila siku, si rasmi sana."
- For anything official (contracts, health, legal notices), have a fluent person check it.
Making AI writing sound like you
- Paste 2–3 samples of your own writing and say: "Write in this style."
- Ban phrases you dislike: "Don't use: 'In today's fast-paced world', 'delve', 'unlock'."
- Ask for simple words and short sentences.
- Always add your own real stories, numbers and opinions; that is what makes writing valuable.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Write a blog post about SEO" (no context) | Add audience, goal, length, tone and your key points |
| Publishing AI text without checking | Check every fact, name, price and date |
| Letting it invent experience on a CV | Say "Don't invent anything; only use my details" |
| Same generic tone as everyone | Give style samples and ask for plain language |
Think about it: A friend asks AI to "write my cover letter for a bank job" and sends it without reading. What could go wrong, and what should they do instead?Show answer
The letter may be generic, mention skills they don't have, use the wrong bank name or invented details, and sound like thousands of other AI letters. Instead: give the AI the job advert and their real CV details, ask for a draft, then edit it with real examples, check every detail, and make it sound like them.
Summary
- Chat assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) are the best writing tools; Grammarly polishes.
- Give context and your own facts; edit the draft yourself; check every fact.
- Paste your own writing samples to keep your voice.
- Follow school rules; never let AI invent experience or facts.
Check yourself
What should you give AI so it writes from real facts? (your own ___ or notes)
Show answer
facts
Which tool is mainly for grammar and tone as you type? (one word)
Show answer
grammarly
Should you let AI add experience you don't have to your CV? (yes or no)
Show answer
no