An editorial workflow for AI-assisted writing

1. Define the assignment

Record the reader, purpose, format, length, tone and any required sources. For client work, agree on scope, deadlines, revision rounds, confidentiality and ownership before beginning.

2. Build a source pack

Collect reliable primary sources, product documentation, interviews or material supplied with permission. Note the date and relevant passage for each factual claim. Do not ask an AI system to invent sources or fill gaps with plausible-looking citations.

3. Ask for an outline, not a finished authority

Use a prompt such as: “Create a reader-focused outline from the notes below. Do not introduce facts not present in the notes. List unanswered questions and mark claims that need independent sources.” Compare the outline with the assignment and remove sections that do not help the reader.

4. Draft in manageable sections

Provide the assistant with the relevant source excerpts and the purpose of each section. Ask it to preserve uncertainty and distinguish quoted source material from interpretation. Rewrite generic passages and add original explanation, examples or analysis based on your own knowledge.

5. Run a substantive edit

• Verify dates, names, numbers, quotations and technical claims.
• Open cited sources and confirm that they support the statement.
• Remove repetition, filler and unsupported superlatives.
• Check that the headline accurately describes the content.
• Review spelling, structure, accessibility and mobile readability.
• Confirm that images and other assets are properly licensed.

6. Example: turn a weak paragraph into useful guidance

Weak draft: “AI makes writing faster and anyone can earn money from it.” This is broad, unsupported and offers no practical help.

More useful treatment: “A text assistant can suggest an outline or identify repeated phrases. The writer still needs to verify factual claims, check source permissions and edit for the intended audience. Test the workflow on one short piece and record the time spent on both drafting and review.”

The revised example is more specific, describes limitations and gives the reader an action to try.

7. Protect client information

Do not paste confidential drafts, customer details or unpublished business information into an external service unless the client has authorized it and you have reviewed the provider's data terms. Keep a record of source material and permissions. Follow any client, employer or platform disclosure requirements for AI assistance.

8. Evaluate the workflow

Compare the final quality, total production time and correction effort with your previous process. A faster first draft is not a benefit if fact-checking and revisions take longer. For service work, track communication and revision time as well as writing time.