This is a really great question! I do have a really particular way I use AI to edit and I find it insanely useful. Here are some of my top tips:
An essay should have clear stakes and a thesis up front.
Paragraphs in an essay need to be ordered in a way that makes sense.
Every single paragraph needs a topic sentence that previews what the rest of the paragraph is going to be about.
Every single paragraph needs a transition out of the last paragraph and into the next paragraph.
(A lot of the above are about guiding the reader so their mind can follow where you're going)!
On a micro level cut fluff, cut jargon, cut wordiness, don't use unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, avoid passive voice, be as succinct as possible
The number one thing I do when I'm using AI to edit is ask it to give me 5 versions of an intro hook, or a transition sentence out of one paragraph and into another, or a topic sentence for a paragraph. Then I'll pick what I like the best. I also very frequently paste a paragraph into AI and say, "This feels clunky. Make it flow better" or "There's too much jargon in this. Make it more plainspoken and succinct." It's actually really good at helping I think!
