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How do I use AI to help write an email or letter?

Open a chatbot like Google Gemini or ChatGPT, say who the email is to and what you want to say, and ask it to write a draft. Then read it carefully, fix anything wrong, and send it from your own email. The AI writes; you check.

Beginner2 min readUpdated

Get a first draft

  1. Go to gemini.google.com or chatgpt.com in your web browser (ChatGPT is free to use, and you can try Gemini without paying), or open their app.
  2. Tap the text box and describe the email: who it’s to, what it’s about, and the tone you want.
  3. Send your request. The draft appears in a few seconds.
  4. Not quite right? Ask for changes in plain words, like “make it shorter” or “make it more polite”.
  5. When you’re happy, copy the text into your own email and add the real names and details.

Requests you can copy

  • “Write a short, polite email to my energy company. My bill has gone up and I’d like to know why.”
  • “Help me write a thank-you note to my neighbour for looking after my cat.”
  • “Write a letter to my GP surgery asking to change my appointment. Keep it short and friendly.”
  • “Make this email sound friendlier:” then paste in your own draft.

Before you send it

  • Check every fact. Google and OpenAI both say their chatbots can make mistakes. Make sure dates, amounts and names are right.
  • Make it sound like you. Change any words you wouldn’t normally use.
  • Leave out private details. Don’t type account numbers, passwords or medical details into the chatbot. Add those yourself in your email, after copying the draft.

It’s your email. The chatbot only helps you write it. Nothing is sent until you send it yourself.

Next: read what ChatGPT gets wrong, and what never to type in.

Sources