Enhancing Argumentative Essay Skills: Evaluating the Efficacy of AI-Powered Tools Versus the Traditional Approach Among Learners

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology in recent years has greatly impacted how second language (L2) learners write argumentative essays. Language learners now have instant access to artificial intelligence writing tools like Quill Bot, Jeni AI, and others. This necessitates that institutions reassess their methods of teaching argumentative essay writing. This research aims to assess how effective it is to mentor students to write argumentative essays using AI-powered writing tools compared to the traditional approach. The researcher gathered data over a semester and compared the performance of the groups. This quasi-experimental study consisted of two experimental groups: experimental Group One (E1), which primarily utilized AI-powered writing tools, and Experimental Group 2 (E2) which blended the usage of AI tools with a traditional method. In contrast, the control group just employed traditional methods to teach students the skill of crafting persuasive essays. This study discovered that the integration of conventional methods with AIdriven tools significantly improved writing competency and the long-term retention of argumentative writing abilities. This study indicates that second language learners attain optimal learning outcomes by combining traditional teaching techniques with AI-driven technologies. Language educators should thoroughly analyze these findings, particularly in the present period characterized by the prevalence of artificial intelligence.