A professor says you can spot AI in a student essay by one simple word. Not the em dash, which everyone already blames on AI. The word is “moreover.”
He posted a TikTok explaining that his students never use “moreover” in their quick writing, so when it suddenly appears in a polished paper, it sticks out. Students pushed back online, saying they use it in formal writing even if it never shows up in real conversations.
The debate got loud enough that he posted a second video to make it clear he isn’t anti‑AI at all. He says he expects students to use it, and he is fine with that. His concern is when AI replaces a student’s thinking instead of supporting it. In his words, he wants them to use the tool without becoming dependent on it.
He also said he keeps seeing words like “delve” and “tapestry” in AI‑written work. And this part cracked me up: he’s noticed AI randomly dropping emojis into otherwise serious responses. That feels exactly right.
I don’t grade papers, but I do read a lot of messages and submissions. I can confirm: nothing gives away AI faster than a sudden shift in voice. And yes, “moreover” sticks out every time.
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