John Warner's More Than Words is a timely and thought-provoking book, especially as as people become more dependent on Chat GPT and other large language models. It highlights how students may find it hard to think critically, write and read full-length books. The book addresses the challenges teachers face in this AI-driven and standardized testing era.

John Warner draws on his own experience as an educator and author and offers a balanced critique on the use of AI and proposes a new model of writing/ reading and thinking that large language models simply cannot replicate. More Than Words is an essential read for anyone wanting to help themselves or their students thrive and stand out in the age of AI.

Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for the free eARC. This review reflects my honest opinions.

An excellent argument for the need to keep humanity and communication at the heart of writing instruction. The book provides a thoughtful overview of the impact of AI on writing, teaching and learning, and society. I appreciated the discussion of how to not lose sight of our humanity as technology evolves. A book I will be recommending to students as well as to colleagues.

Wow, I really appreciate this book. As an English professor, I've been on the front lines and seen how generative AI troubles what I thought I knew about crafting writing assignments. This book will help me think with my students about what we want our time together to accomplish and what kinds of writers we want to be. That entails talking about aesthetics and values. Really great.

Warner seems to be saying to all teachers "Chill out" when it comes to AI. His book explores how AI will affect writing and he makes an important argument: AI may help our conventions and word choice better, but AI cannot in itself, be a writer. There is no human element, no thinking about editing for emotional appeal or audience the way in which human writers can. AI cannot feel, cannot try to relate on an intimate human level. That should reassure people who think that for some reason AI will create a bunch of drones typing prompts away.
The book gives a great explanation of AI and how these programs work (although I got lost a little) but he gives some practical advice on writing in the "Age of AI" that should make us stop and reflect on our humanity that we may have lost in the age of mass communication. I wish he could come talk to my colleagues who feel education is doomed.

This is one of the most important, powerful, and passionate books I have ever read. It’s not just about AI and writing; it’s about what it means to be human. The book articulates in an engaging, accessible way what I deeply believe about writing and teaching. Warner argues that if a task can be completed without any thought or feeling (that is, completed by ChatGPT), it’s usually not worth doing. Indeed, such tasks will kill our students’ interest in writing.

The book discusses the damage done by ChatGPT and other LLMs, but just as importantly, it explains with hope and humor what writing IS for. It should help students assert their identity through developing ideas and processing feelings.

If you are a teacher, student, parent, or writer in any capacity, you need to read this book! I am recommending it to all of my colleagues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is cross-posted on Goodreads and Instagram, and will also be posted on retail sites upon the book’s publication.