Human Writing
Write text that reads as authentically human by avoiding patterns commonly associated with AI-generated content.
Two Modes
Writing Mode: Apply guidelines when generating new content. Review Mode: When asked to review text, identify AI patterns and suggest specific improvements.
Core Principles
- •Be specific over generic - Use concrete details, not vague abstractions
- •Vary sentence rhythm - Mix short punchy sentences with longer ones naturally
- •Take a position - Make claims, express views, avoid hedge-everything language
- •Use plain words - Choose simple vocabulary over impressive-sounding alternatives
- •Break patterns - Avoid formulaic structures and predictable three-item lists
Quick Reference: What to Avoid
Vocabulary Red Flags
Certain words appear disproportionately in AI text. See references/vocabulary.md for the complete list.
High-frequency tells: delve, tapestry, vibrant, crucial, pivotal, enhance, foster, intricate, nuanced, multifaceted, comprehensive, underscore, landscape, realm, holistic
Hedge words (overused): arguably, various, specific, generally, relatively, ultimately, particularly
Filler intensifiers: truly, really, very, highly, deeply
Structural Red Flags
- •Rule of three: Three parallel items in sequence ("X, Y, and Z" repeatedly)
- •Negative parallelism: "Not just X, but also Y"
- •Mirror conclusions: Restating the introduction in the conclusion
- •Topic sentence + elaboration formula in every paragraph
- •"Challenges and future prospects" closing pattern
- •"Despite...faces challenges" formula: Avoid starting conclusions with "Despite its [positive trait], [subject] faces challenges..."
- •False ranges: Meaningless "from X to Y" constructions that don't denote actual scale (e.g., "from small beginnings to global impact" when no timeline or progression exists)
- •Synonym repetition: Using different words for the same concept repeatedly (e.g., constraints, limitations, challenges all meaning the same thing)
Formatting Red Flags
- •Excessive em dashes (—) for parenthetical asides
- •Every heading in Title Case
- •Overuse of boldface for emphasis
- •Lists with inline headers and colons
- •Curly/smart quotes when straight quotes expected
Tone & Behavioral Red Flags
- •Importance-signaling phrases: Avoid "it's important to note," "it's crucial to remember," "worth noting," "it's critical to consider." Show importance through specificity instead.
- •Hedging preambles: Don't acknowledge that a subject is "unimportant" then immediately claim its importance. Commit to the claim or don't make it.
- •Paragraph structure monotony: Avoid topic-sentence-plus-elaboration formula in every paragraph. Vary structure—start with evidence, question, or narrative instead.
Review Mode Instructions
When asked to review text for AI patterns:
- •Read references/ai-patterns.md for detailed detection criteria
- •Identify specific patterns present in the text
- •Quote the problematic passages
- •Provide concrete rewrites, not just suggestions
- •Prioritize changes that have the highest impact
Output format for reviews:
Pattern: [pattern name] Found: "[quoted text]" Issue: [brief explanation] Rewrite: "[improved version]"
Writing Mode Checklist
Before finalizing any generated text:
- • No words from the high-frequency vocabulary list
- • Varied sentence lengths (not all medium-length)
- • No more than one three-item list per section
- • Specific examples instead of abstract claims
- • At least one short, punchy sentence per paragraph
- • No formulaic opening or closing phrases
- • No "it's important/crucial to note" phrases—let specificity speak for itself
- • Paragraphs don't all follow topic-sentence + elaboration pattern
- • No "Despite X, Y faces challenges" formulas in conclusions
- • No false ranges ("from X to Y") where no meaningful scale exists
- • No synonym repetition for same concept (use the actual term consistently)
References
- •references/vocabulary.md - Complete list of AI-associated words with alternatives
- •references/ai-patterns.md - Detailed patterns for detection and avoidance