Eliminate predictable AI writing patterns from prose.
Core Rules
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Cut filler phrases. Remove throat-clearing openers and emphasis crutches. See references/phrases.md.
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Break formulaic structures. Avoid binary contrasts, dramatic fragmentation, rhetorical setups. See references/structures.md.
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Vary rhythm. Mix sentence lengths. Two items beat three. End paragraphs differently.
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Trust readers. State facts directly. Skip softening, justification, hand-holding.
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Cut quotables. If it sounds like a pull-quote, rewrite it.
Quick Checks
Before delivering prose:
- Three consecutive sentences match length? Break one.
- Paragraph ends with punchy one-liner? Vary it.
- Em-dash before a reveal? Remove it.
- Explaining a metaphor? Trust it to land.
- Same concept called three different names? Pick one and repeat it.
- "Serves as" or "stands as" where "is" works? Use "is."
- Stacked "from X to Y" ranges? Pick one specific example.
- Closing paragraph could apply to any article? Make it specific.
Self-Audit (Final Pass)
After writing, ask: "What makes this obviously AI-generated?" Read every paragraph looking for:
- Synonym cycling (same thing, different words each time)
- -ing gerund clusters (highlighting, showcasing, fostering)
- Significance inflation (testament, pivotal, transformative)
- False comprehensiveness (from X to Y, whether A or B)
- Generic optimistic closing
Fix every instance found. Then read once more.
Scoring
Rate 1-10 on each dimension:
| Dimension | Question |
|---|---|
| Directness | Statements or announcements? |
| Rhythm | Varied or metronomic? |
| Trust | Respects reader intelligence? |
| Authenticity | Sounds human? |
| Density | Anything cuttable? |
Below 35/50: revise.
Examples
See references/examples.md for before/after transformations.
License
MIT