A free guide for English teachers
Assignments in their own words
Canary (n.): a sign of AI use or interference in a student’s assignment.
Get the AI Essay Canary Checklist: simple, visible checks that help you spot AI-written essays and design prompts chatbots can't fake. Fair to every student, no hidden tricks.
What's inside the checklist
Two pages you can use the same day: one pass when you write the assignment, one pass when you grade.
Before you assign
Eight visible canaries to add to any essay prompt, from class-edition citations to stop points.
While you grade
The telltale signs of AI-written essays, from invented quotes to movie details that aren't in the book.
When something looks off
A calm, two-minute conversation script so you can check in with a student without accusing anyone.
Why HelloCanary
Spot it, then talk it through
I'm Daniel, an aerospace engineer turned AI consultant. I'm not an English teacher by trade, but I know how chatbots write and exactly where they slip up. Every HelloCanary resource is tested against the major AI tools, so you get checks that actually work, and a fair way to start the conversation with your students.
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