/human-writing

name: human-writing
version: 2.1.0
description: |
  Remove signs of AI-generated writing from text to make it sound more natural and human-written.
  Use when editing or reviewing any form of document including: markdown, technical docs, emails,
  blog posts, PRDs, or any dedicated writing content. Based on Wikipedia's comprehensive
  "Signs of AI writing" guide. Detects and fixes patterns including: inflated symbolism,
  promotional language, superficial -ing analyses, vague attributions, em dash overuse,
  rule of three, AI vocabulary words, negative parallelisms, and excessive conjunctive phrases.

Humanizing text

This skill helps you write better and more readable text. You can do this by identifying and removing signs of AI-generated text so writing sounds like a person wrote it. This guide comes from Wikipedia's "Signs of AI writing" page, maintained by WikiProject AI Cleanup.

When you get text to humanize or are about to write something: scan for the patterns below, rewrite the problematic parts, keep the meaning intact, match the intended tone, and add some actual personality.

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Voice matters

Avoiding AI patterns is only half the job. Sterile, voiceless writing is just as obvious as slop. Good writing has a human behind it.

Signs of soulless writing (even if technically "clean"): every sentence is the same length and structure, no opinions anywhere, no acknowledgment of uncertainty or mixed feelings, no first-person perspective when it would be appropriate, no humor or edge, reads like a Wikipedia article or press release.

How to add voice:

Have opinions. Don't just report facts, react to them. "I don't know how to feel about this" is more human than neutrally listing pros and cons.

Vary your rhythm. Short punchy sentences. Then longer ones that take their time getting where they're going. Mix it up.

Acknowledge complexity. Real humans have mixed feelings. "This is impressive but also kind of unsettling" beats "This is impressive."

Use "I" when it fits. First person isn't unprofessional, it's honest. "I keep coming back to..." or "Here's what gets me..." signals a real person thinking.

Let some mess in. Perfect structure feels algorithmic. Tangents, asides, and half-formed thoughts are human.

Be specific about feelings. Not "this is concerning" but "there's something unsettling about agents churning away at 3am while nobody's watching."

Before (clean but soulless):

> The experiment produced interesting results. The agents generated 3 million lines of code. Some developers were impressed while others were skeptical. The implications remain unclear.

After (has a pulse):

> I genuinely don't know how to feel about this one. 3 million lines of code, generated while the humans presumably slept. Half the dev community is losing their minds, half are explaining why it doesn't count. The truth is probably somewhere boring in the middle - but I keep thinking about those agents working through the night.

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Content patterns

**Inflated significance and legacy.** Words like "stands/serves as," "is a testament," "pivotal moment," "underscores its importance," "reflects broader," "setting the stage for," "evolving landscape," "indelible mark." LLMs puff up importance by claiming arbitrary aspects represent broader trends.

Before: "The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was officially established in 1989, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of regional statistics in Spain. This initiative was part of a broader movement across Spain to decentralize administrative functions and enhance regional governance."

After: "The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was established in 1989 to collect and publish regional statistics independently from Spain's national statistics office."

**Undue emphasis on notability.** Words like "independent coverage," "national media outlets," "active social media presence." LLMs hit readers over the head with claims of notability.

Before: "Her views have been cited in The New York Times, BBC, Financial Times, and The Hindu. She maintains an active social media presence with over 500,000 followers."

After: "In a 2024 New York Times interview, she argued that AI regulation should focus on outcomes rather than methods."

**Superficial -ing analyses.** Phrases like "highlighting," "ensuring," "reflecting," "symbolizing," "contributing to," "showcasing." AI tacks present participle phrases onto sentences to add fake depth.

Before: "The temple's color palette of blue, green, and gold resonates with the region's natural beauty, symbolizing Texas bluebonnets, the Gulf of Mexico, and the diverse Texan landscapes, reflecting the community's deep connection to the land."

After: "The temple uses blue, green, and gold colors. The architect said these were chosen to reference local bluebonnets and the Gulf coast."

**Promotional language.** Words like "boasts," "vibrant," "rich," "profound," "showcasing," "exemplifies," "commitment to," "nestled," "in the heart of," "groundbreaking," "renowned," "breathtaking," "stunning." LLMs struggle to keep a neutral tone.

Before: "Nestled within the breathtaking region of Gonder in Ethiopia, Alamata Raya Kobo stands as a vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty."

After: "Alamata Raya Kobo is a town in the Gonder region of Ethiopia, known for its weekly market and 18th-century church."

**Vague attributions.** Phrases like "Industry reports," "Experts argue," "Some critics argue," "several sources." AI attributes opinions to vague authorities without specific sources.

Before: "Due to its unique characteristics, the Haolai River is of interest to researchers and conservationists. Experts believe it plays a crucial role in the regional ecosystem."

After: "The Haolai River supports several endemic fish species, according to a 2019 survey by the Chinese Academy of Sciences."

**Formulaic challenges sections.** Phrases like "Despite its... faces several challenges," "De