Why Writing Is Harder Than Speaking and How AI Can Help
Willy A Renandya, 3 April 2025
Speaking a second language can be challenging, but writing in that language often proves to be even harder. Speaking is context-dependent, meaning that during conversation, much of what is communicated is understood through the context. Non-verbal cues, immediate feedback, and interactive exchanges help clarify meaning, making communication smoother.
On the other hand, writing is context-independent. The reader cannot ask for clarification or rely on facial expressions, body language, or tone to fill in gaps. A writer must ensure that each idea is fully explained and logically connected. As a result, the writing process demands more precision and clarity to effectively convey meaning, making it a more complex skill to develop.
A case in point is Maria, an intermediate English learner at a language institute. She can speak confidently about familiar topics but her writing falls below expectation. Her teacher keeps returning her papers with comments like “Good vocabulary, but ideas don’t connect. Your essay is hard to comprehend.” Though her overall language skills are good, her paragraphs read like discrete sentences put together to form a paragraph.
For learners like Maria, the shift from speaking to writing can be challenging because it requires anticipating and addressing the needs of an unseen reader. When she speaks, she can rely on the listener for real-time responses and feedback if something is unclear. In writing, however, there is no immediate interaction, so she must ensure her ideas are clearly structured and easy to follow. To make her writing flow smoothly, she needs to learn how to connect her ideas effectively, creating a coherent and well-organized text.
AI writing tools help Maria and other second language learners like her by turning to AI tools for assistance. AI can offer specific feedback on how to improve their ability to write more clearly and coherently. AI tools, for example, can suggest ways to enhance the flow of ideas, improve transitions between sentences, eliminate unnecessary content, and restructure paragraphs for better clarity.
With continued practice and support from competent teachers, such tools can help students like Maria refine their writing skills, making their work more coherent and easier for readers to follow.
Reorganizing Sentences for Better Flow
Sometimes, sentences are grammatically correct but still feel awkward or hard to follow. AI can rephrase sentences for smoother reading, rearrange paragraphs so ideas build logically, and highlight sections where the flow breaks down. If you’re describing a step-by-step process but mix up the order, AI can suggest a more natural sequence.
A recipe might say, “Bake the cake at 350°F. Mix the ingredients in a bowl.” AI can suggest: “Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Then, bake the cake at 350°F.” This ensures logical progression.
Adding Transitions Between Ideas
Jumping from one thought to another without transitions can make writing feel choppy. AI suggests connecting words to improve readability, points out abrupt shifts in topic, and shows how transitions strengthen the relationship between ideas. This is especially useful in essays or reports where each paragraph should seamlessly link to the next.
A history essay might state, “The Industrial Revolution changed manufacturing. Cities became more populated.” AI can improve this by suggesting: “The Industrial Revolution changed manufacturing. As a result, cities became more populated.”
Removing Unnecessary or Confusing Content
Writers often repeat themselves or include extra details that don’t add value. AI helps by flagging redundant phrases, identifying off-topic sentences, and simplifying wordy sections. This keeps writing concise, clear, and focused.
A report might say, “The company’s profits increased due to higher sales revenue, which resulted in an increase in profit margins.” AI can simplify this to: “The company’s profits increased due to higher sales revenue.”
Providing Alternative Versions for Comparison
One of AI’s most useful features is generating different versions of a sentence or paragraph. This allows writers to compare phrasing options, experiment with tone, and learn from edits to improve future writing. Seeing multiple ways to express an idea helps develop a stronger sense of what makes writing clear and engaging.
A business email might say, “I need your response as soon as possible.” AI can offer alternatives like “Please respond at your earliest convenience” (polite) or “Kindly provide your response by tomorrow” (specific and professional).
Who Benefits Most from AI Writing Assistance?
AI tools are particularly beneficial for students who have strong ideas and good language skills (roughly at the B2 level) but struggle to express themselves coherently in writing. AI can help refine essay structure, clarify arguments, and ensure logical progression between points. AI can also help experienced writers who occasionally can find it challenging to organize their thoughts effectively with greater clarity and coherence.
Finally …
Remember this: The best way to use AI isn’t just to accept every suggestion blindly but to analyze the changes and learn from them. Over time, students will start noticing patterns, such as where they tend to lose clarity in their writing or how transitions improve readability.
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