Literacy Room, Gd. UIN Jakarta Library - In today's digital era, technology makes it easier in various aspects of life, as well as the world of academic writing. In this digital era, many applications help the writing process, one of which is Grammarly. This grammar-checking app has been used by millions of users around the world, especially for academics and professionals who often write in English. However, how much of a role does Grammarly play in improving the quality of writing? Should writers rely on this app?

These questions were highlighted in the UIN Jakarta Library Literacy Class, -Friday, February 21, 2025- which this time raised the theme “Grammarly Surgery: Should Writers Use It?” This event presented Nisrina, an analyst who explores the use of Grammarly in the academic and writing world.

In this session, Nisrina explained that Grammarly is not just a grammar correction tool, but also offers features that help writers structure text more effectively. One of its flagship features is the tone detector, which allows users to adjust the intonation of their writing to suit the context and audience.

“In English, there are many words with similar forms but different meanings. With Grammarly, writers can make sure that the message conveyed is exactly what they mean,” Nisrina explains.

Moreover, Grammarly divides its corrections into four main zones, namely grammar, clarity, engagement, and delivery. With this approach, writers are not only assisted in avoiding technical errors, but also in improving the appeal of their writing.

Although Grammarly offers various conveniences, it still has limitations. One of the questions that came up in the discussion was: Is Grammarly sophisticated enough to replace human editors?

One of the participants, Mrs. Lolytasari - a librarian at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) said that although Grammarly is very helpful, writers still have to understand the basics of grammar so as not to rely entirely on the application.

“Grammarly can be a good tool, but we still need to develop our own writing skills. Don't let us rely too much and lose our creativity in writing,” said Ms. Lolytasari.

At the end of the session, Nisrina reminded us that “Grammarly can be an effective tool, but it is not a substitute for a deep understanding of the language. Technology can help, but writing skills still need to be honed.” Nisrina concluded.

With this Literacy Class, participants - both librarians and library managers, are invited to better understand how technology can be utilized in writing, without forgetting the importance of good writing skills

So, library friends, do you think writers need to use Grammarly? Or does writing still have to rely on instinct and a strong understanding of language? *RMr

For news updates and further information, please access: