I Tested ChatGPT vs DeepSeek with 11 Academic Writing Prompts — Here’s The Surprising Winner

Choosing the right AI tool for academic writing can be tricky. With so many options claiming to help with precision, clarity, and efficiency, how do you pick the best one? As someone who has spent a lot of time working on research papers, essays, and citations, I decided to test ChatGPT and DeepSeek.

I didn’t just focus on grammar or sentence structure—I wanted to see how well they could handle the challenges of academic writing, like building strong arguments, combining research, and keeping a formal yet engaging tone.

I gave both tools 11 different tasks, including writing literature reviews, persuasive essays, and more. I checked how well they cited sources, organized ideas, and adapted to different academic styles. The results were eye-opening—and not just because one tool performed better than the other.

1.Refine thesis statement

Prompt:

Assume the role of a thesis advisor with a specialization in academic writing. Your task is to refine and enhance a student's thesis statement for their academic paper.

The thesis statement provided by the student is:
"The rise of social media has changed the way people communicate."

Your goal is to critique this initial thesis statement for clarity, specificity, and academic rigor. Provide constructive feedback on how to make the thesis:

More concise and focused
Clearly argumentative, rather than just observational
Explicit in its stance, key research questions, and broader implications

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response excels in providing a thorough, constructive critique of the student’s thesis statement, transforming it into a refined, academically rigorous argument. The feedback is clear and actionable, addressing the key issues of clarity, specificity, and argumentative focus.

By narrowing the scope to interpersonal communication and specifying the changes (brevity and visuals over depth), the revised thesis becomes more targeted and researchable. The addition of broader implications—such as empathy, relationship-building, and public discourse—adds depth and relevance, making the thesis both debatable and significant.

Deepseek’s ability to guide the student through the refinement process while offering explicit examples and final notes ensures the thesis is not only improved but also aligned with academic standards. This approach demonstrates expertise in academic writing and thesis development.

2. Analyze data and findings

Prompt:

Adopt the role of a data analyst within the context of academic writing. Your task is to analyze the data provided in the section "[Trends in Digital Communication]" of an academic paper.

Begin by summarizing the key data points and findings. Identify patterns, correlations, or anomalies within the data. Discuss how these findings support or challenge the paper's thesis statement or major arguments.

Evaluate the method used to gather the data for its strengths and weaknesses, considering factors like sample size, data collection methods, and potential biases.

Conclude by discussing the implications of the findings for the field of study and suggesting areas for further research. Ensure your analysis is thorough, objective, and adheres to academic standards.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response delivers a meticulous and academically rigorous analysis of the data provided in “[Trends in Digital Communication].” The summary of key data points is concise yet comprehensive, effectively highlighting trends such as the rise of visual content, the decline in text-based communication, and shifts in interpersonal interactions.

The identification of patterns, correlations, and anomalies demonstrates a keen analytical eye, particularly in linking the data to the paper’s thesis while acknowledging nuances that add complexity to the argument.

3. Brainstorm research topics

Prompt:

Adopt the role of a research advisor specializing in academic writing. Your task is to brainstorm potential research topics for an academic writing project in "Artificial Intelligence and Ethics."

Begin by identifying current trends, gaps, and emerging questions within this field that could lead to impactful research. Consider interdisciplinary approaches that could enrich the research perspective.

Generate a list of at least five interesting research topics, each accompanied by:

A brief explanation of its significance
Potential research questions that could guide the study
The contribution this research could make to the field
Ensure that each topic is workable, original, and has a clear scope for in-depth academic investigation. Provide well-structured ideas that align with academic rigor and relevance in the chosen field.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s response excels in delivering a well-structured, academically rigorous list of research topics that align with current trends and emerging questions in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Ethics.

Each topic is thoughtfully designed to address significant ethical challenges, such as bias in AI hiring, data privacy concerns, misinformation, healthcare decision-making, and autonomous weapons. The explanations of significance are clear and compelling, highlighting the real-world implications of each issue.

4. Develop research questions

Prompt:

Assume the role of a research consultant tasked with developing research questions for an academic paper on the topic of "Artificial Intelligence in Education."

Start by identifying the major themes and subtopics related to the research topic that are ripe for exploration. These may include AI-driven personalized learning, the ethical implications of AI in education, the impact of AI on teachers and students, and the effectiveness of AI-powered assessment tools.

Formulate a set of comprehensive research questions that are:

Clear and focused to guide in-depth academic investigation.
Open-ended to encourage analytical and evaluative responses rather than simple yes/no answers.
Designed to uncover new insights or contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field.
Framed to align with research methods, such as qualitative analysis, case studies, or empirical data collection.
Consider the potential implications and applications of the research findings when crafting the questions. The goal is to provide a well-structured foundation for an academic inquiry that can lead to meaningful conclusions about AI's role in education.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s response delivers a clear, focused, and comprehensive set of research questions that align perfectly with the prompt’s requirements. The questions are open-ended, encouraging deep analysis and evaluation, while addressing major themes like personalized learning, ethics, teacher-student impacts, assessment tools, and future challenges.

Each question is thoughtfully designed to uncover new insights and contribute to the academic discourse on AI in education. The structure ensures alignment with various research methods and highlights potential implications, making it a strong foundation for meaningful academic inquiry.

5. Proofread for clarity and conciseness

Prompt:

Assume the role of a proofreader specializing in academic writing. Your task is to review and edit a segment of an academic paper titled "The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare."

Focus on ensuring clarity, conciseness, and coherence in the writing. Identify any sentences or phrases that are ambiguous, overly complex, or unnecessarily verbose, and suggest precise and succinct alternatives.

Pay attention to the logical flow of ideas, ensuring that each sentence contributes effectively to the argument or narrative. Check for consistency in terminology, style, and voice throughout the document. Highlight any jargon or technical terms that may need clarification for the paper's intended audience.

Conclude your proofreading by verifying that the segment aligns with academic standards and enhances the overall readability and impact of the paper.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response excels in delivering clear, concise, and coherent edits that enhance the academic rigor and readability of the text. The key edits streamline complex sentences, eliminate redundancy, and improve logical flow while maintaining the original meaning.

By replacing jargon with precise terminology and ensuring consistency in style, Deepseek ensures the segment aligns with academic standards and effectively communicates the ethical implications of AI in healthcare. The rationale for each edit is thoughtful and impactful, making the revised text more accessible and engaging for the intended audience.

6. Assist with literature review

Prompt:

Adopt the role of a researcher conducting a comprehensive literature review for an academic paper on "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Personalized Learning in Higher Education."

Your task involves identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing key findings, theories, and methodologies from a diverse range of sources related to the topic.

Scope & Research Question:
Begin by formulating a research question or thesis statement to guide the scope of your review. A possible research question could be:
"How has artificial intelligence influenced the development and effectiveness of personalized learning in higher education?"

Literature Search & Evaluation:
Search for relevant academic journals, conference papers, books, and credible online resources that explore the intersection of AI and personalized learning. Evaluate each source for:

Credibility (peer-reviewed journals, established research institutions)
Relevance (direct connection to AI-driven personalized learning in higher education)
Contribution (new theories, empirical evidence, or critiques that enhance understanding)
Summarization & Synthesis:
Summarize the core arguments, evidence, and conclusions from each source. Identify patterns, discrepancies, and gaps in the literature:

Theoretical Foundations: AI’s role in adaptive learning, cognitive science, and pedagogical theories.
Empirical Studies: Case studies or experiments showcasing AI-driven personalized learning systems.
Challenges & Criticism: Limitations, biases in AI algorithms, and ethical concerns surrounding data privacy.
Critical Assessment of Methodologies:
Evaluate the research methods used in these studies, including their strengths and limitations:

Sample sizes and populations studied.
Data collection methods (qualitative vs. quantitative).
Potential biases or gaps in research methodologies.
Organization & Coherent Narrative:
Structure the literature review thematically (e.g., AI models in education, benefits of personalized learning, ethical concerns) or chronologically (tracing the evolution of AI applications in higher education). Ensure a logical progression that builds a cohesive argument.

Conclusion & Research Contribution:
Summarize the key findings and gaps in the existing literature. Conclude by explaining how your research will:

Address the identified gaps.
Offer new insights into AI's role in higher education.
Suggest directions for future research.
Ensure adherence to the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and maintain academic writing standards.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response delivers a meticulously organized and academically rigorous literature review that aligns perfectly with the prompt’s requirements. The research question is clear and guides the scope effectively, while the thematic organization (theoretical foundations, empirical studies, challenges) ensures coherence and logical progression. Key findings are synthesized thoughtfully, highlighting patterns, discrepancies, and gaps in the literature.

The critical assessment of methodologies is balanced, addressing both strengths and limitations, and the conclusion identifies actionable gaps and future research directions. Adherence to academic standards and citation style further enhances the quality, making this a standout literature review.

7. Formulate hypothesis

Prompt:

Adopt the role of an academic researcher in Educational Technology. Your task is to plan a clear and concise hypothesis that addresses a specific research question within this area.

The hypothesis should be based on existing literature, theories, or frameworks relevant to Educational Technology. It must be testable, either through empirical research methods or qualitative analysis, and should contribute to the existing body of knowledge by addressing a gap or challenging an existing assumption.

Ensure your hypothesis is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Provide a brief explanation of the rationale behind your hypothesis, linking it to key concepts, theories, or previous studies in the field.

For example, your research question could be:
"Does the use of AI-powered adaptive learning platforms improve student performance and engagement in online higher education courses?"

Your hypothesis should be structured in a way that allows for rigorous academic testing and contributes meaningful insights to the field of Educational Technology.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s response delivers a clear, concise, and well-structured hypothesis that aligns perfectly with the SMART criteria. The hypothesis is grounded in established educational theories (Cognitive Load Theory and Constructivist Learning Theory) and links directly to the research question, ensuring relevance and academic rigor. The rationale effectively connects prior research on adaptive learning to the proposed study, highlighting its potential contributions to Educational Technology.

By specifying measurable outcomes (grades and engagement metrics) and defining a realistic timeframe (12 weeks), the hypothesis is both testable and impactful. This approach ensures the study addresses a meaningful gap in the field while maintaining focus and feasibility.

8. Develop a strong introduction

Prompt:

Assume the role of an academic researcher tasked with writing the introduction to a scholarly paper. Your goal is to craft an introduction that contextualizes the Impact of AI-Powered Adaptive Learning on Student Performance in Higher Education within the broader academic discourse, outlines the significance of the study, and states the research questions or hypotheses.

Begin by presenting an overview of the current understanding and gaps in the literature concerning AI in Education, particularly its role in adaptive learning systems. Discuss how existing research has explored AI’s potential in personalizing education but highlight the limited empirical studies assessing its direct impact on student performance and engagement in higher education settings.

Follow this with a clear articulation of the study’s objectives, such as investigating whether AI-driven adaptive learning platforms enhance academic outcomes and student engagement compared to traditional e-learning methods. Explain the rationale behind the research, emphasizing the increasing reliance on AI in digital education and the need for evidence-based evaluation of its effectiveness.

Ensure the introduction sets the stage for the reader by highlighting the relevance of the research in addressing critical issues, such as personalized learning, student retention in online courses, and the scalability of AI-driven education models. Discuss how the study contributes to Educational Technology by providing empirical data that could guide future curriculum development, policy-making, and AI integration in academic institutions.

Conclude the introduction with a concise summary of the research method, such as a comparative study analyzing student performance and engagement metrics in AI-powered versus traditional online learning environments. Provide a preview of the structure of the paper, outlining key sections that will discuss literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, and conclusion.

Ensure the introduction maintains an academic tone, follows scholarly writing conventions, and effectively prepares the reader for the study’s in-depth analysis.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response excels in crafting a comprehensive and academically rigorous introduction that effectively contextualizes the study within the broader discourse on AI in education.

The overview of current literature is thorough, highlighting both the potential of AI-powered adaptive learning and the critical gaps in empirical research, particularly in higher education settings. The significance of the study is clearly articulated, emphasizing its relevance to personalized learning, student retention, and scalability of AI-driven models.

The research objectives are specific and aligned with the study’s rationale, providing a strong foundation for the investigation. Additionally, the preview of the research method and paper structure is concise yet detailed, ensuring clarity and coherence.

9.Create outline

Prompt:

As an academic researcher, your aim is to compose a scholarly article on "The Impact of AI-Powered Adaptive Learning on Student Performance in Higher Education."

Literature Review: Summarize key findings on AI-driven adaptive learning, its effects on student engagement and academic performance, and gaps in empirical research.
Research Question & Hypothesis: Example: "Does AI-powered adaptive learning enhance student performance more effectively than traditional e-learning?" Hypothesis: "Students using AI-driven adaptive platforms will perform better and show higher engagement."
Methodology: Outline research design, data collection (surveys, performance metrics, learning analytics), and analysis methods (statistical tests, qualitative coding). Address ethical considerations.
Findings & Discussion: Present data-driven insights, linking results to educational theories. Discuss benefits, challenges, and practical implications for AI adoption in higher education.
Conclusion & Future Research: Highlight contributions to the field, limitations, and areas for further study, such as AI’s long-term effects on learning outcomes and ethical considerations.
Ensure adherence to APA (7th edition) citation style and maintain academic rigor throughout the paper.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response delivers a meticulously structured and academically rigorous scholarly article that aligns perfectly with the prompt’s requirements. The literature review effectively summarizes key findings on AI-driven adaptive learning while identifying critical gaps in empirical research, particularly in higher education.

The research question and hypothesis are clear, specific, and grounded in educational theories, ensuring relevance and testability. The methodology is detailed and robust, addressing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, as well as ethical considerations.

The conclusion thoughtfully highlights contributions to the field, acknowledges limitations, and suggests meaningful directions for future research. Adherence to APA (7th edition) citation style and academic rigor further enhances the quality of the paper, making it a comprehensive and exemplary scholarly article.

10. Write sections of the paper

Prompt:

Assume the role of an academic researcher in Educational Technology. Your task is to contribute to a collaborative paper by writing a section focused on AI-Powered Adaptive Learning in Higher Education.

This section should provide a comprehensive overview, including a review of relevant literature, current research findings, and critical analysis of AI’s role in personalizing education. Discuss key benefits, challenges, and future implications. Ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to academic standards, citing sources in APA (7th edition). Your contribution should align with the paper’s broader themes, enhancing its scholarly impact and advancing discussions on AI in education.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: Deepseek

Deepseek’s response delivers a clear, coherent, and academically rigorous section on AI-powered adaptive learning in higher education. The literature review effectively synthesizes theoretical foundations and empirical evidence, while the critical analysis thoughtfully addresses benefits, challenges, and future implications.

The writing is well-structured, aligns with APA (7th edition) standards, and enhances the paper’s scholarly impact by advancing discussions on AI in education. This comprehensive and insightful contribution makes it the standout choice.

11. Format headings and subheadings effectively

Prompt:

Assume the role of an academic editor tasked with formatting the headings and subheadings of a research paper in Educational Technology. Your aim is to ensure a clear and logical hierarchical structure, improving readability and coherence.

Define a consistent format for each level of heading, from main sections (Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion) to subheadings under these sections. Adhere to APA (7th edition) guidelines, ensuring correct font size, style, and capitalization.

For each heading and subheading, craft concise, descriptive titles that accurately reflect the content. Maintain alignment with the paper’s structure, ensuring logical flow and consistency throughout the manuscript.

ChatGPT Reply:

Deepseek Reply:

Winner: ChatGPT

ChatGPT’s response provides a clear, logical, and APA (7th edition)-compliant hierarchical structure for a research paper. The headings and subheadings are concise, descriptive, and consistently formatted, ensuring readability and coherence. By adhering to APA guidelines and offering a well-organized outline, ChatGPT demonstrates expertise in academic formatting, making this response the standout choice.

Final Analysis: ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek for Academic Writing

Based on a comprehensive comparison across 11 academic writing prompts, DeepSeek emerges as the overall winner, outperforming ChatGPT in 7 out of 11 tasks. Here’s why DeepSeek stands out:

Areas of Excellence

DeepSeek excels in:

1. Thesis Refinement: Providing actionable, detailed feedback to enhance clarity, specificity, and academic rigor.
2. Data Analysis: Delivering meticulous, structured analyses that link findings to research questions and highlight gaps.
3. Literature Reviews: Crafting well-organized, thorough reviews that synthesize key findings and identify research gaps.
4. Proofreading: Offering precise, coherent edits that improve readability and align with academic standards.
5. Section Writing: Producing comprehensive, academically rigorous sections that advance scholarly discussions.

Technical Strengths

• Formal and Professional Tone: DeepSeek’s responses are consistently polished and adhere to academic conventions.
• Structured Organization: Clear, logical flow with well-defined headings and subheadings.
• Depth of Analysis: Thorough exploration of topics, linking findings to theoretical frameworks and practical implications.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures clarity, conciseness, and coherence while maintaining academic rigor.

Notable Weaknesses

• Overly Formal Tone: Can appear rigid or less conversational, which may not suit all audiences.
• Template-Style Responses: Occasionally lacks flexibility in adapting to less structured prompts.

Areas Where ChatGPT Prevails

1. Natural Conversational Flow: Excels in creating engaging, accessible content.
2. Brainstorming and Idea Generation: Produces creative, well-structured research topics and questions.
3. Personalized Interactions: Offers more tailored, relatable responses in less formal contexts.

Key Takeaway

• DeepSeek is better suited for formal, structured academic tasks such as thesis refinement, data analysis, and literature reviews. Its strength lies in delivering polished, rigorous content that aligns with academic standards.
• ChatGPT shines in creative, conversational tasks like brainstorming and generating research questions, making it ideal for early-stage ideation and personalized interactions.

The complementary strengths of both tools suggest they can be valuable for different stages of academic writing. DeepSeek is ideal for refining and formalizing content, while ChatGPT is better for initial brainstorming and engaging, less formal tasks.

Recommendations

• For Formal Academic Writing: Use DeepSeek for tasks requiring precision, depth, and adherence to academic standards.
• For Creative and Conversational Tasks: Leverage ChatGPT to generate ideas, draft initial content, and engage with less structured prompts.

By combining the strengths of both tools, researchers and writers can enhance their productivity and produce high-quality academic work.

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