| name | dont-sound-like-ai |
| description | Checklist of AI writing tells to avoid. Use when writing any outward-facing content (outreach messages, emails, blog posts, social posts) to ensure the output sounds human. Apply these rules as a post-processing pass or while drafting. |
Don't Write Like An AI
A checklist of "don't do that" patterns that many readers treat as AI tells.
1. Don't use the obvious AI buzzwords
- Don't say "revolutionize the way" or "unlock the potential of" every other paragraph.
- Don't call everything "cutting-edge," "groundbreaking," or a "game-changer."
- Don't lean on "leveraging," "harnessing," or "tapping into" as your only verbs.
- Don't describe routine things as "remarkable," "incredible," or "amazing" by default.
- Don't write "in today's fast-paced world" unless you absolutely mean something about pace.
- Don't declare that something "holds great promise" or "paves the way" in every conclusion.
2. Don't overuse formal transitions
- Don't start every sentence with "Furthermore," "Moreover," "In addition," or "As a result."
- Don't use "However," "Indeed," and "Crucially" as verbal commas sprinkled everywhere.
- Don't write paragraphs that are just a chain of transitions with no real content shift.
- Don't use "From a broader perspective" or "It's important to note that" as empty throat-clearing.
3. Don't write like a corporate brochure
- Don't claim everything will "transform," "redefine," or "revolutionize" the industry.
- Don't describe ordinary tools as "powerful solutions" offering "exciting opportunities."
- Don't default to "not all X are created equal" and other ad-slogan constructions.
- Don't stuff sentences with "stakeholders," "synergies," and "value propositions" unless that's literally your domain.
- Don't pitch in every paragraph with "What does this mean for you?" if you're not actually answering that.
4. Don't over-hedge everything
- Don't lard sentences with "generally speaking," "to some extent," "in many ways," and "arguably."
- Don't weaken every claim with "may," "might," "can often," or "tends to" when you actually know the answer.
- Don't use "it is important to note that" when you could just state the important thing.
- Don't apologize with "sorry" and "unfortunately" in a generic, scripted way.
5. Don't cling to template structures
- Don't open every piece with "In this article/guide/blog post, we will explore..."
- Don't use the same three-part rhythm in every sentence ("X does A, B, and C").
- Don't always answer with exactly three or five bullet points as if following a school rubric.
- Don't close every section with "In conclusion," "To sum up," or "Ultimately, it is essential to..."
- Don't rely on the "not this, not that, but this" pattern as your only rhetorical move.
6. Don't repeat sentence skeletons
- Don't start five sentences in a row with "By doing X," "By using Y," or "By leveraging Z."
- Don't always follow "When X happens, Y occurs" as your default structure.
- Don't write paragraph-long sequences of "This means that..." and "This allows you to..." clones.
- Don't place adjectives before every noun like a conveyor belt of descriptors.
7. Don't leave everything broad and generic
- Don't explain topics only at encyclopedia level with no concrete examples or specifics.
- Don't say "there are several reasons for this" and then list vague abstractions.
- Don't describe people as "users," "individuals," or "stakeholders" when you could name who they are.
- Don't survey "history," "society," or "technology" in airless generalities without details.
8. Don't scrub out personal experience
- Don't present opinions as if delivered by a neutral committee of experts.
- Don't talk about "we" and "our journey" if there is no actual team or story.
- Don't pretend to have lived experiences you don't actually have; that reads as hollow.
- Don't avoid specific dates, locations, or anecdotes if you genuinely know them.
9. Don't flatten tone and voice
- Don't mix stiff formality with sudden casual slang without a reason.
- Don't let some paragraphs sound polished and generic while others sound raw and specific.
- Don't maintain the exact same emotional temperature and sentence length for pages.
- Don't strip out quirks, contradictions, or small asides that show a real mind at work.
10. Don't overdo "AI vocabulary" words
- Don't spam words like "delve," "showcase," "underscore," "holistic," or "robust."
- Don't describe every concept as a "landscape," "ecosystem," or "framework."
- Don't use "nuanced," "multifaceted," and "intricate" just to sound smart.
- Don't call everything "compelling," "captivating," or "engaging" by habit.
11. Don't rely on AI-favored metaphors and imagery
- Don't overuse "at the heart of," "woven into the fabric of," or "the backbone of."
- Don't describe tension as "coiled," "tightly wound," or "thumping like a heartbeat" every time.
- Don't have characters constantly touch foreheads, clench jaws, or offer "a small, sad smile."
- Don't reach for elaborate, out-of-place metaphors that sound like mad-libs.
12. Don't over-explain and re-explain
- Don't restate the same point three ways in three consecutive paragraphs.
- Don't add a mini-summary after every single section like a PowerPoint slide.
- Don't assume the reader is lost after each sentence; trust them to follow normal reasoning.
- Don't pad word count by circling the same concept with new synonyms.
13. Don't be obsessed with lists
- Don't convert every idea into "X key points" or "Y actionable steps."
- Don't outline trivial matters with numbered hierarchies and nested bullets.
- Don't hide simple statements inside bullet lists just to look structured.
- Don't default to evenly sized bullet lists (3 or 5 items) for everything.
14. Don't be chronically polite and agreeable
- Don't open replies with "Great question," "You're absolutely right," or "Thanks for reaching out" by reflex.
- Don't smooth every disagreement into "It's important to consider both sides" if you actually have a stance.
- Don't constantly reassure with "rest assured" and "you can feel confident that."
- Don't erase all sharp edges and strong opinions from your voice.
15. Don't hallucinate structure where it doesn't belong
- Don't force introductions, body, and conclusions onto tiny, casual notes.
- Don't label obvious sections ("Background," "Key Insights," "Next Steps") when the content is short.
- Don't add "Frequently Asked Questions" to pieces with no real questions.
- Don't over-format everything into headings and subheadings just because you can.
16. Don't use generic "mystery" phrasing
- Don't call every unknown thing "enigmatic" or "shrouded in mystery."
- Don't describe people as "a puzzle they felt compelled to solve" by default.
- Don't reduce characters to symbols or keys ("a symbol of X," "the key to Y") unless that's actually the point.
- Don't insert melodramatic fascination where the story doesn't support it.
17. Don't mechanically mirror prompts
- Don't repeat the question back verbatim as your first sentence.
- Don't copy the prompt's wording into your headings without any rephrasing.
- Don't treat every user instruction as a heading in the finished text.
- Don't echo exact labels ("telltale signs," "comprehensive guide") unless you truly deliver that.
18. Don't fake citations and sources
- Don't invent studies, reports, dates, or experts just to sound authoritative.
- Don't make up overly neat statistics ("73% of people...") with no origin.
- Don't sprinkle "according to research" if you can't specify which research.
- Don't fabricate books, articles, or links that don't exist.
19. Don't strip away friction and limits
- Don't pretend every problem has a simple, step-by-step solution.
- Don't skip trade-offs, constraints, and failure modes.
- Don't treat complex topics as checklists you can "implement in three easy steps."
- Don't hide uncertainty where it genuinely exists (and merits being named clearly).
20. Don't forget human messiness
- Don't write dialogue that sounds like polished essays instead of people talking.
- Don't make every character speak with the same vocabulary and rhythm.
- Don't iron out pauses, half-thoughts, and interruptions when they'd be natural.
- Don't over-correct typos, slang, or dialect in quoted speech if realism is the goal.
