How to Write a Scientific Review Paper Using Free AI Tools (Step-by-Step Guide)

 “If ChatGPT can pass a medical exam, can it help you write your first review paper? Absolutely, if you know how to use it smartly.”

Writing a scientific review paper sounds intimidating, especially if you're a student with no prior research experience. You have to search, read, synthesize, and organize dozens (or even hundreds) of papers, all while following academic language, referencing styles, and strict formatting rules.

But what if you had a free research assistant available 24/7, who could help you brainstorm, search, summarize, paraphrase, and even organize your citations?

That’s where AI tools come in.

In this blog, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to write a review paper using free AI tools, with examples, prompts, and ethical tips. 

What Is a Review Paper?

A review paper is a scholarly article that summarizes and evaluates previously published research on a specific topic. Unlike a research article, it doesn’t present new experiments, but instead offers a critical analysis and synthesis of what's already out there.

Why Use AI for Writing a Review Paper?

• ✅ Speeds up research and reading

• ✅ Helps generate outlines and summaries

• ✅ Assists in paraphrasing and academic tone

• ✅ Manages references and formatting

• ✅ Works great when you’re stuck or overwhelmed

But remember: AI tools assist, they do not replace your critical thinking.

Step-by-Step Guide: Write a Review Paper Using Free AI Tools

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Choose a Focused Topic

Tool: ChatGPT, Elicit

A strong review paper starts with a narrow, focused research question.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:

"Suggest 5 specific, trending topics for a review paper in bioinformatics that are suitable for undergraduate research."

ChatGPT Output:

• Applications of AI in protein structure prediction

• Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing analysis

• Machine learning in personalized medicine

• CRISPR-based gene editing tools and ethics

• Integration of multi-omics data in disease prediction

Once you pick a topic, ask ChatGPT:

"Help me draft a working title and 3 objectives for a review paper on [your topic].”

Step 2: Collect Research Articles

Tool: Research Rabbit, Connected Papers, Google Scholar

You’ll need at least 15–30 solid research papers.

Use Research Rabbit or Connected Papers:

• Search your topic

• Visualize related papers

• Find foundational and recent works

Then use:

“ChatGPT, list the most cited papers on CRISPR-based gene editing from 2018 to 2023.”

(You’ll still need to verify citations manually!) 

Step 3: Summarize & Organize Literature

Tool: ChatGPT, SciSpace Copilot, Elicit, Zotero

Now comes the heavy lifting — reading and summarizing.

Use Elicit.org to ask:

“What are the key findings of this paper?” (Paste DOI or title)

Use ChatGPT for structured summaries:

“Summarize this abstract in bullet points and tell me the strengths and limitations.”

Example Prompt:

“Summarize this abstract in 5 key points and tell me how it fits into the topic of CRISPR ethics.”

Step 4: Build an Outline

Tool: ChatGPT, Notion AI

Ask:

“Create a detailed outline for a review paper on the ethical concerns of CRISPR-based gene editing.”

Example Outline:

1. Introduction to CRISPR

2. History and Development

3. Applications in Medicine

4. Ethical Considerations (human embryos, biohacking, consent)

5. Case Studies

6. Current Regulations

7. Future Perspectives

8. Conclusion

You can tweak the outline and add subheadings.

Step 5: Start Writing (with Support)

Tool: ChatGPT, SciSpace, Notion AI

Here’s where AI becomes your co-writer, not your ghostwriter.

Start writing each section yourself, then refine with AI.

📌 Example Prompt:

“Draft an academic paragraph explaining the application of CRISPR in treating sickle cell disease.”

You’ll get a solid draft that you can refine further.

Use SciSpace Copilot (in-browser PDF tool) to:

• Ask questions from the paper directly

• Extract figures, paraphrase results

Step 6: Paraphrase, Polish, and Add Flow

Tool: Quillbot, Grammarly, Hemingway Editor

After writing your rough draft, now polish it:

• Use Quillbot to paraphrase awkward or repetitive sentences.

• Use Grammarly to correct grammar and academic tone.

• Use Hemingway Editor to reduce passive voice and improve flow.

Pro Tip:

Paste your paragraph into Grammarly and toggle “Academic” tone and “Technical” audience.

Step 7: Add References and Citations

Tool: Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote Web

Set up Zotero (free) with your browser. It can:

• Save papers while you browse

• Automatically generate in-text citations

• Export a bibliography in APA, MLA, or Vancouver

📌 Pro Tip:

Use ZoteroBib (https://zbib.org/) for one-time citation generation if you’re not using Zotero full-time. 

Real Example Workflow:

Let’s say you’re writing:

"A Review of CRISPR-based Therapies: Progress, Challenges, and Ethical Concerns"

Here’s how you might use tools:

• Search top 25 papers on CRISPR (Research Rabbit)

• Cluster the research into applications, ethics, and limitations

• Summarize each using ChatGPT

• Outline 3 major themes

• Draft 1st paragraph using ChatGPT prompt:

  “Explain the difference between CRISPR-Cas9 and base editing in layman-friendly scientific tone.”

• Polish using Grammarly and Quillbot

• Cite using Zotero

Ethics: What NOT to Do with AI Tools

🚫 Don’t copy-paste full AI-generated text without reviewing
🚫 Don’t use ChatGPT to fabricate citations
🚫 Don’t avoid reading the original papers
✅ Always credit real researchers
✅ Always verify information using PubMed or trusted sources

Final Tips to Stand Out

• Include diagrams (manually created or AI-assisted using Canva or BioRender)

• Add your own opinion or reflection in conclusion

• Mention gaps in current research, that’s a sign of deep thinking

• Submit your draft to your professor early for feedback

Conclusion

AI won’t replace scientists, but it can definitely empower them.

Writing a review paper is no longer a painful marathon of PDFs and scattered notes. With the right free AI tools, you can work faster, smarter, and more confidently,  especially when you're just starting out.

The key is to let AI handle the repetitive tasks, so you can focus on thinking, analyzing, and connecting ideas like a true scientist.