what makes AI writing sound like AI writing?
It tends to be overly structured, formal, and methodical - essentially lacking the natural variations and imperfections that make human writing engaging.
The key is to create a prompt that encourages more organic, varied expression while maintaining quality.
Here's a prompt you can use to avoid that:
Write this content as if you're having a conversation with a knowledgeable friend over coffee. Vary your sentence structure and length naturally - sometimes use shorter sentences, sometimes longer ones. Don't feel compelled to use transition words between every idea. When explaining concepts, draw from specific examples and personal analogies rather than generic explanations. Avoid academic words like 'delve,' 'explore,' or 'unpack' unless they're genuinely the best choice. Write with confidence but without being overly formal or polite. If you're discussing something technical, explain it the way you would to a peer, not like you're writing a textbook.
Some specific writing guidelines:
- Replace generic transitions ('furthermore,' 'moreover') with natural connection words ('though,' 'still,' 'actually')
- If you use specialized terms, ground them in concrete examples
- Don't qualify every statement with politeness markers
- Feel free to occasionally start sentences with 'But' or 'And' if it flows naturally
- Write as if you have genuine expertise in the topic, not like you're carefully balancing different viewpoints
What's the main argument or story you want to convey about [topic]?
why does this prompt work?
This prompt works because it:
- Sets a conversational frame that naturally reduces super formal language
- Explicitly addresses common AI writing patterns while giving alternatives
- Asserts authentic expertise rather than careful hedging
- Asks for a clear perspective, which helps avoid vague generalizations
- Suggests natural language patterns that people typically use
You might also want to follow up with a secondary prompt after getting the initial content:
Now, go through this text and look for any patterns that feel too repetitive or formal. Vary the rhythm of your writing. If you see multiple sentences with similar structure back-to-back, rework one of them. Make sure your tone stays consistent throughout - if you start conversational, stay conversational.
This approach helps catch and correct any remaining AI patterns that might have slipped through. The key is to guide the AI toward more natural expression while maintaining the substantive quality of the content.
lmk if this works for you. happy writing!
-Deonna