Catchy or Copycat?

In this worksheet, students analyze sets of headlines about the same story and decide which ones sound AI-written and which sound human-written. Students look for characteristics such as repetition, vague enthusiasm, over-the-top language, or generic phrasing, which often signal AI-generated writing. They compare these to more natural, balanced headlines that contain specificity and journalistic tone. By evaluating four different stories-ranging from bus systems to jellyfish discoveries-students learn how to detect subtle differences in style and credibility. This activity builds media-literacy skills by teaching students how headlines influence perception and how AI may unintentionally distort tone. Learners use critical thinking to justify their choices and reflect on writing quality.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Evaluating Word Choice and Tone

English Language Arts – Identifying Writing Style Differences

Social Studies – Media Literacy and Source Evaluation

Technology Education – Recognizing AI-Generated Headlines

This worksheet is part of our Spotting AI Worksheets collection.