Transitioning Your Writing 

Some Personal reflections on the current state of academic writing. 

With the rise of ChatGPT and other AI driven tools used for writing, many academic institutions have begun to change their approach to essay writing:

1. They are giving essay exams in class
2. They are using plagiarism software more to detect unattributed (or what I call ‘cut and paste’) writing.

As noted in example 2 (above) AI will assemble the essay based on its search and compilation as defined by your parameters and requirements. Unattributed sources (i.e., not cited) amount to plagiarism. Additionally, without the original sources, the student cannot gauge the accuracy of the information in the AI essay.

Another problem I am personally aware of is cover letters, specifically for medical residency. The ones I was asked to review were eerily similar and somewhat mundane. Those written without the use of AI were more personal and better represented the person to the Residency Committee.

In-class exams, which I outline and provide strategies for in my Transitioning book follows the same steps as any other essay format and organization. The limiting factor is, of course, time. Here, discipline is a key factor in writing these types of exams.

If you are interested in purchasing my book Transitioning Your Writing: From High School to Academia, it can be purchased here.

What Educators are Saying About this Book

Dennis Rovere has written an indispensable book for students transitioning from high school to university and college. There’s often a disconnect between where professors expect students to be and their actual starting point in first-year courses. Rovere addresses this gap by focusing on what truly matters, with clarity and concision. He avoids overwhelming students with technical jargon, offering instead a hands-on approach with checklists, analytical prompts, and examples. Rovere engages students in a conversation about common areas of struggle—areas professors expect them to know but which they haven’t been taught. I will be using it to teach my first-year rhetoric and composition courses. I highly recommend Transitioning Your Writing from High School to Academia.

Asher Ghaffar, PH.D., Lecturer & Senior Curriculum Specialist, OCAD University

Dennis Rovere’s book provides a succinct and accessible overview of how to transition one’s writing from a high school to post-secondary level. With specific details and anecdotes (and some humorous jokes along the way), I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with putting words on paper or seeks to improve their writing. 

Jessica Cohen, Ph. D. (Oxford), Educator

Because of its value as a reference, the Writing Symbols Lodge (Indigenous Centre) at the University of Calgary has purchased copies of Transitioning Your Writing from High School to Academia  for distribution to all of their first year undergraduate students.