Practical Uses

Writing Letters and Emails

Find the right words for any message

We've all been there. You need to write something — a thank you note, a complaint to a company, a condolence letter — and you just can't find the right words. You stare at the blank page, type something, delete it, try again.

AI can help. It's like having a writing partner who can suggest how to say what you're thinking, help you strike the right tone, or give you a starting draft that you can make your own.

And don't worry — this isn't about having AI write for you. It's about getting unstuck and finding words that feel right.

When AI Writing Help Is Useful

→Thank you notes — When you want to say more than just "thanks"
→Sympathy messages — Finding words for difficult times
→Complaint letters — Being firm but polite with businesses
→Professional emails — To doctors, lawyers, contractors
→Invitations and announcements — Getting the wording just right
→Difficult conversations — When you need to say something awkward

How to Ask for Writing Help

Give AI the context: who you're writing to, what you want to say, and what tone you want.

Thank you note:

"Help me write a thank you note to my neighbor who brought meals while I was recovering from surgery. I want it to be warm and personal, not too formal. Her name is Margaret."

Complaint email:

"I need to write an email to my cable company. They've overcharged me for three months despite multiple calls. I want to be firm but not rude. I want a refund and an explanation."

Condolence message:

"My friend's mother just passed away. I want to write something in a card. We're close friends but I didn't know her mother well. I want to acknowledge her loss without sounding generic."

Make It Sound Like You

AI's first draft might be technically good but not quite how you talk. That's fine — it's meant to be a starting point. You can ask for changes:

"This is good but it sounds too formal. Can you make it more casual, like how I'd actually talk to a friend?"

"Can you make it shorter? I want to say the same thing in about half the words."

"The second paragraph feels stiff. Can you rewrite just that part to sound warmer?"

Tip: Always read AI's suggestions out loud. If it doesn't sound like something you'd say, ask for a revision or change it yourself. The goal is finding your words, not using AI's words.

Common Scenarios

Writing to a Business

When you need to be taken seriously:

Try:

"Help me write a letter to my insurance company disputing a denied claim. The claim number is 12345. They said the procedure wasn't medically necessary, but my doctor says it was. I want to appeal and have them reconsider."

AI can help you structure a clear, professional letter that includes all the right elements — your account information, the specific issue, what you want them to do, and a reasonable deadline.

Delicate Personal Messages

When emotions make it hard to write:

Try:

"I need to write to my son about how I felt hurt when he didn't invite me to his birthday dinner. I don't want to guilt trip him, but I do want him to understand it bothered me. Help me say this in a way that opens conversation, not conflict."

AI can suggest language that expresses your feelings without accusation, using "I feel" statements instead of "you did" accusations.

Professional Requests

When you need to sound professional:

Try:

"Help me write an email to my doctor's office requesting my medical records be sent to a new doctor. The new doctor is Dr. Smith at Valley Medical Group."

Getting Help With Specific Phrases

Sometimes you don't need a whole letter — you just need help with one tricky sentence.

"How do I politely decline an invitation to a party without lying about why I'm not going?"

"What's a nice way to tell a friend I can't lend them money?"

"How do I say 'no' to volunteering for something without sounding selfish?"

AI can give you several options, and you pick the one that feels most natural.

Checking Your Own Writing

You can also use AI to improve something you've already written:

Try:

"Here's an email I wrote to my landlord about a broken heater. Can you check if it sounds clear and professional? Let me know if anything sounds unclear or too harsh."

Then paste your draft. AI will give you feedback and suggest improvements.

Privacy note: If your message contains sensitive personal information, consider removing or generalizing those details before sharing with AI. For example, "my medical condition" instead of the specific diagnosis.

It's Still Your Message

Using AI for writing help isn't cheating. Think of it like asking a friend "Does this sound okay?" or looking up "how to write a sympathy card" online. You're the one deciding what to say and how to say it — AI just helps you get there.

The final message should always feel like you wrote it. If AI suggests something that doesn't fit your voice, change it. Add a personal detail. Take out things that feel artificial.

The bottom line: AI is great at getting you unstuck when you're staring at a blank page. Use it to start, refine, and polish — but make sure the final words are ones you're comfortable putting your name on.

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About Speak Human

I help people like you feel confident using AI in everyday life. No jargon, no judgment, just practical guidance.