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Writing Help

Speech-to-Text and annotation tools to support your writing process.

What’s in This Section

Writing Help provides tools for anyone who thinks faster than they can type, struggles with spelling, or needs to capture ideas on the go. Speak your thoughts and let AssisT transcribe them.

Features: Speech-to-Text (STT), Annotations

Speech-to-Text (STT)

What It Does

Transcribes your voice into text in any text field. Dictate essays, notes, emails, or anything else. Includes 60+ voice commands for editing without touching the keyboard.

How to Enable

  1. Click the AssisT icon
  2. Expand Writing Help section
  3. Toggle Speech-to-Text ON
  4. Grant microphone permission when prompted

Using STT

  1. Click in any text field (email, document, form, etc.)
  2. Click the microphone icon that appears near the field
  3. Start speaking naturally
  4. Your words appear as text in real-time
  5. Click the microphone again to stop

Supported Input Types

STT works with a wide range of text inputs:

  • Standard inputs: Text fields, email fields, search boxes, URL bars
  • Textareas: Multi-line text areas on any website
  • Contenteditable elements: Rich text editors used in Canvas, Moodle, and other LMS platforms
  • Google Docs: Full support for Google Docs’ rich editor (pages, iframes, and editor components)

The microphone button appears automatically when you focus any supported field. Field detection is always active, so the button shows immediately even if you toggle STT on after the page has loaded.

Voice Commands

STT supports 60+ voice commands for hands-free editing:

Deleting:

  • “delete last word”
  • “delete last sentence”
  • “delete all”

Punctuation:

  • “period” / “full stop”
  • “comma”
  • “question mark”
  • “new paragraph”
  • “new line”

Formatting:

  • “bold that”
  • “italic that”
  • “underline that”
  • “heading one” through “heading six”

Navigation:

  • “go to beginning”
  • “go to end”
  • “select all”

Editing:

  • “undo”
  • “redo”
  • “replace [word] with [word]“

Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Ctrl+Shift+PQuick-switch STT profile

STT Profiles

Different profiles optimize recognition for different needs:

ProfileBest For
DefaultGeneral dictation
ADHD FocusFast response (800ms), minimal distractions, large buttons
Dyslexia SupportExtended processing time (3s), spelling assistance, 3 word alternatives
Anxiety CalmForgiving timing (4s), calming colors, gentle feedback
Motor ImpairmentVoice activation, extra-large buttons (80px), 60s speech timeout
Low VisionMaximum contrast, 96px buttons, full audio feedback
Autism ComfortPredictable behavior, literal commands, no surprises

Switch profiles via Ctrl+Shift+P or in Settings.

Annotations

What It Does

Add sticky notes and highlights to any webpage. Notes persist and reappear when you revisit the page. Export notes for study or reference.

How to Enable

Annotations are enabled by default. Use shortcuts or the highlight menu to start annotating.

Creating Sticky Notes

Quick method:

  1. Press Alt+N to create a note at cursor position
  2. Type your note
  3. Click outside to save

From selected text:

  1. Highlight text on the page
  2. Click Add Note in the highlight menu
  3. Note is attached to that text

Sticky Note Features

  • Colors — Choose from 6 colors to categorize notes
  • Resize — Drag corners to adjust size
  • Move — Drag header to reposition
  • Minimize — Double-click header to collapse

Highlighting Text

  1. Select text on the page
  2. Choose a highlight color from the menu
  3. Highlight persists on that page

Managing Annotations

View all notes on a page:

  • Click the AssisT icon
  • Expand Writing Help
  • Click View Annotations

Export notes:

  • Go to View Annotations
  • Click Export
  • Choose format (JSON, PDF, or plain text)

Delete notes:

  • Click the X on any individual note
  • Or use Clear All to remove all annotations from a page

Where Notes Are Stored

Notes are stored locally in your browser using IndexedDB. They:

  • Persist across browser sessions
  • Stay attached to specific pages (by URL)
  • Can be exported for backup
  • Do not sync between devices (for privacy)

For Educators & Parents

Why Writing Help Matters

For students with dyslexia:

  • STT bypasses spelling difficulties
  • Voice commands reduce keyboard dependence
  • Students can focus on ideas, not mechanics

For students with ADHD:

  • Speaking is often faster than typing
  • Captures ideas before they’re forgotten
  • Voice commands keep momentum going

For students with motor difficulties:

  • Reduces physical strain of typing
  • Hands-free editing via voice
  • Sticky notes require minimal interaction

Classroom Tips

  1. Practice voice commands first — Have students memorize 5-10 basics
  2. Use in drafting, not final editing — STT excels at getting ideas down
  3. Combine with TTS — Dictate, then listen back to review
  4. Export annotations — Create study guides from page notes

Privacy Note

STT: Voice recognition happens locally using your browser’s built-in speech recognition (no audio sent to AssisT servers).

Annotations: All notes are stored locally on the device via IndexedDB. Nothing is uploaded. STT settings sync across devices via Chrome’s synced storage when signed in.

Learn More