Does Writing Have to Be Hard?
The Atlantic
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article "Does Writing Have to Be Hard?" explores the tension between traditional writing instruction and the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, which promise to make writing easier. The author, a history professor, reflects on their resistance to these technologies, seeing them as threats to the value of hard work in writing—a process long viewed as both a craft and an art. Historically, writing has been seen as essential for developing clear thinking and creativity, involving struggle and discomfort. However, the advent of AI raises questions about whether this "noble ordeal" is still necessary, potentially undermining the very skills writing instruction aims to培养.
The piece traces concerns about writing's decline through history, from 19th-century worries about slang impoverishing young minds to mid-20th-century critiques of illiterate expressions and standardized testing sidelining writing. Despite these past anxieties, the author finds merit in the foundational role of writing in shaping thought, as emphasized by figures like Henry Chauncey, who viewed written communication as "clear thinking clearly expressed." This perspective highlights writing's importance not just for expression but for fostering deeper intellectual growth.
The introduction of AI tools has disrupted traditional writing processes. Initially, students' papers exhibited inconsistencies, blending human and machine-generated text in ways that were sometimes disjointed or shallow. Over time, however, AI integration led to more polished writing, with smoother structures and less effortful thinking. While this shift may make writing easier, it risks diminishing the cognitive challenges necessary for developing original ideas and critical thinking.
Ultimately, the article underscores why this matters politically and culturally. Writing is not just about communication; it shapes how we think and reason. If AI tools erode the difficulty inherent in writing, there could be broader implications for education's role in fostering thoughtful, independent minds. This ties into larger concerns about the state of higher education and its ability to prepare students for the complexities of democracy, which rely on nuanced thinking and clear expression.
In a world where technology increasingly automates processes once seen as essential, the debate over writing's difficulty touches on broader questions about the value of effort and mastery in learning. The author's resistance to AI tools is not just personal; it reflects a defense of an educational ideal: that hard work in crafting thoughts into words contributes uniquely to intellectual growth and clarity of mind.
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/19/2026