Write the World Launches Clara: A Free AI Writing Assistant for Teens
Write the World, a global nonprofit focused on building literacy and critical thinking skills in teenagers aged 13-19, has introduced Clara, a free AI writing assistant developed specifically for teen writers. Clara is available on the Write the World website and will also be offered to middle and high schools to support classroom writing.
Unlike many AI tools that generate writing for users, Clara acts as a companion that helps teens develop their own voice. It uses a Socratic method, asking personalized questions that encourage reflection, creativity, and deeper thinking. This approach helps students become authentic and confident writers rather than relying on AI to do the work for them.
How Clara Supports Teen Writers
Clara’s unique approach involves guiding writers through thoughtful questions such as:
- “What specific emotions or themes do you want to evoke with this setting?”
- “What specific aspect of the novel intrigues you the most?”
- “How do you plan to support your analysis with examples from the text?”
These prompts help students brainstorm, draft, research, and refine their writing by engaging in a real-time dialogue. Clara provides feedback on various elements including topic selection, structure, tone, style, grammar, and clarity. It supports writing across genres and subjects, enabling teens to improve their work iteratively before sharing it with peers or teachers.
The Story Behind Clara
Clara was created by Benjamin Klieger, a student at Stanford University Online High School. His motivation came from a common student experience where feedback often arrives only after final drafts are submitted, limiting opportunities for improvement during the writing process. Existing AI tools tended to do the writing for students instead of supporting their development.
Benjamin designed Clara to provide in-the-moment, interactive support that encourages critical engagement. Users can question Clara’s suggestions and maintain control over their writing. Now part of Write the World, Clara’s technology is being distributed to a wide community of young writers and educators.
What Teens Are Saying About Clara
- Mahati V (US): “I was surprised by how much Clara understood my piece. Clara gave me the kind of specific feedback that truly helps apply a broad idea in a specific place.”
- Ivanna (UK): “Feels like you are talking to a friend or a teacher that guides you in your writing journey.”
- Ozi (Brunei): “By using Clara, I was able to think deeply about my writing and the scene that I was writing. Clara really challenged me to think outside the box.”
Clara for Classrooms
Write the World will offer Clara to public and independent middle and high schools through a subscription service called Clara for Classrooms. The tool integrates with Google Docs, making it easy to use for assignments across subjects—whether personal narratives, poetry, journalism, analysis, or science reports.
Clara helps teachers differentiate instruction, save time on grading, and improve student literacy. Its 24/7 real-time feedback complements classroom teaching and encourages student independence. Schools interested in adopting Clara can sign up through the Pilot Interest Form available on the Write the World website.
David Weinstein, Write the World’s founder, explains, “Teachers are grappling with how to use AI tools constructively without letting students outsource their thinking. Clara keeps the writing process anchored in students’ own experiences and ideas.”
About Write the World
Write the World is a nonprofit founded at Harvard University dedicated to improving writing and critical thinking skills crucial for academic and career success. Their online community has served over 120,000 students and educators across 125 countries. Programs include monthly writing competitions, college essay services, summer workshops, and educator resources.
Learn more at writetheworld.org.
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