Creating a Personalized ChatGPT for Effective Proofreading
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Custom GPTs
Imagine a proofreading tool that adapts to your writing habits, identifying and rectifying your most common errors while providing feedback on your progress. This concept is becoming increasingly feasible with OpenAI's ability to let users create and tailor their own GPTs. I’ve developed four GPTs to assist me with my writing, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through the creation of my basic proofreading GPT. You can find the link to it below.
This personalized GPT offers a significant advantage over the standard models; you can simply input your text without needing to specify the output style or analysis type. This is pre-set during the training phase of the GPT. Moreover, you can continuously refine it with new content and directives based on your evolving needs.
What’s more, you have the flexibility to keep your GPT private, share it with specific individuals, or even make it publicly available. I’ve heard that OpenAI is planning to introduce a GPT marketplace soon. If you’re interested, you can use my GPT for proofreading—it's free, though a GPT Plus subscription is required for access. The longevity of its availability is uncertain, but I find it immensely useful.
Chapter 2: Steps to Create Your Own GPT
To begin crafting your own GPT, you'll need a premium ChatGPT account. Once logged in, navigate to the “Explore” section. At the top of the page, you’ll find an option to create a new GPT. Click on that, and you'll be greeted with a prompt to describe its function.
After outlining your goals, the GPT will generate a name and icon. If you’re not satisfied, you can engage in a dialogue with it to find alternatives.
Next, it’s time to configure and train your GPT. Here’s how I approached it.
Section 2.1: Designing My Proofreader Pro
My aim was to develop a proofreading GPT that efficiently highlights corrections in extensive texts. I prefer to draft freely and revise later, often after some time has passed, making it challenging to spot errors afterward.
By crafting a precise prompt, I could instruct it on how to present corrections, but I wanted to eliminate the need to do this for every edit. By informing the new GPT of my desired correction format, I can now just paste in my text and receive the output I prefer.
After sharing my vision with ChatGPT, it suggested naming it "Proofreader Pro." Here’s how I configured it.
Section 2.2: The Mission of Proofreader Pro
To enhance readability, I instructed my GPT to focus on flow as well as grammar and spelling. It was crucial for Proofreader Pro to pinpoint areas needing improvement in flow. Additionally, I wanted it to keep an eye on my common mistakes, such as:
- Loose dialogue usage
- Missing or repeated words
- Inconsistent punctuation
I also asked it to evaluate if my latest writing was better or worse than my previous drafts. To test its capabilities, I provided three unedited scenes from a fiction project. Following its analysis, GPT pointed out that I tend to write overly long sentences—whoops!
Section 2.3: Testing the GPT
Now, for a bit of fun, I put Proofreader Pro to the test with text from a recent article I revised. The original text was as follows:
"The iPad can be more than just a great way to watch YouTube, check social media, or surf the web. It can add so much more value when paired with a Mac, mirrorless camera, or even a console."
However, I encountered various issues along the way, such as:
- Only receiving 1080p from my mirrorless camera.
- Losing part of my screen real estate to an unhelpful sidebar.
- Difficulty moving the cursor from my Mac to the iPad.
I managed to find solutions for these challenges, but like many things in life, it can be straightforward once you know the tricks.
Video Resource
To see how to create your own personalized writing assistant, check out the video below:
Section 2.4: Analyzing the Output
I must admit, I have a somewhat fragile ego, so receiving feedback from a machine was daunting. It was reassuring to receive virtual encouragement before facing my flaws.
The proofreading process highlighted typos and grammar issues, and while my original text wasn't terrible, several suggestions for improvement emerged. It also flagged my ambiguous phrase, “Or is there?”—prompting me to consider whether I wanted to clarify or maintain the ambiguity.
Regarding my writing style, I was pleased to see that the GPT recognized my voice. It also provided additional resources for addressing persistent grammatical issues, which I had initially intended to focus on.
The most challenging part of the analysis was confronting my habitual mistakes. I am aware of my tendency to misuse punctuation, and the reminders were a bit painful, but at least I had been prepared for the feedback.
Access to Proofreader Pro is free, but a GPT Plus subscription is necessary. Use it at your own discretion, as it is available for now.
Video Resource
For insights on using ChatGPT for proofreading and editing tasks, watch this informative video:
Chapter 3: Final Reflections
I already utilize several grammar and spelling tools, including Ulysses, which serves as my primary word processor and includes a solid checker, as well as subscriptions to ProWritingAid and QuillBot. Although I initially found ProWritingAid valuable, its high maintenance demands became a hurdle.
In contrast, GPT adapts to my needs, offering a customizable approach that can pose a significant challenge to OpenAI's competitors in the market.