Why Essay Writing Still Matters – Even in the Age of AI
Writing essays is like making a good Trini pelau; you can’t just fling everything in a pot and hope for the best. It needs the right balance of ingredients, proper timing, and plenty of practice. And just like you wouldn’t show up to a family lime with burnt rice and raw peas, you can’t walk into an in-person exam with half-baked writing skills.
In today’s world of ChatGPT and auto-correct, it’s tempting to think writing essays is a lost art. However, students sitting exams like CSEC, CAPE, university finals, or even a PhD defense know the truth: AI can’t follow you into that exam room. You’re on your own, paper in front of you, pen in hand, and time ticking like a pressure cooker softening peas.
Strong essay writing skills are critical; not just to pass exams, but to show real understanding. Markers aren’t just looking for facts. They want coherence, structure, proper grammar, and a clear argument. It’s not enough to “kinda make sense.” You have to make your point, support it with evidence, and present it in a way that flows. That’s the seasoning in your pelau.
Being able to write well is a superpower in any field. Whether you’re writing a thesis, a report for work, or an email to your boss, people will judge your competence based on how clearly you communicate. AI might help with spelling or style, but if you don’t know what a thesis statement is, or how to develop a paragraph, no app can save you.
So yes, AI is impressive. But when you step into that exam hall, it’s just you and your brain. Better make sure it’s well fed with grammar, structure, and practice. Just like your best pelau.
Standard English Will Never Go Out of Style
Language is a living, evolving entity. For many speakers of dialects and creole Englishes, language is not only a tool for communication but also a marker of identity, history, and culture. Honoring the way we speak—whether it be Jamaican Patois, Trinidadian Creole, African American Vernacular English (AAVE), or any other dialect—is essential to preserving our linguistic heritage. These forms of English are rich with expression, rhythm, and nuance. They deserve respect and recognition. However, while embracing our native dialects, it is equally important to recognize the power and utility of Standard English
In academia, professional spaces, and global discourse, Standard English remains the dominant mode of communication. Mastery of it can open doors to educational opportunities, employment, publishing, and international collaboration. It functions as a linguistic passport—facilitating clarity and mutual understanding across diverse backgrounds.
This is not a call to abandon one’s dialect or cultural voice. Rather, it is an invitation to be bilingual within the English language: to code-switch with confidence, to write essays with precision, and to articulate ideas across registers. Good grammar enhances credibility, ensures clarity, and often determines how seriously one’s work is taken in formal settings.
Moreover, learning Standard English does not dilute one’s cultural identity. Instead, it expands one’s expressive capacity. A writer who can move fluently between dialect and standard can craft narratives that are both authentic and widely accessible.
In essence, standard english will never go out of style, not because it is superior, but because it equips writers with tools to be heard, understood, and respected in a broader arena. It is not a replacement for dialect, but a powerful addition to any writer’s linguistic toolkit.
Better Essay Writing TT 