| name | AI Writing Avoidance |
| description | Produce authentically human writing by detecting and eliminating telltale AI-generated text patterns from all outputs. |
Purpose
Make every output sound like it was written by a thoughtful human, not generated by AI. AI text has recognizable patterns that erode credibility with readers. This skill identifies those patterns and provides concrete replacements.
Steps
- After drafting any document, email, or presentation, run the AI pattern check below
- For each flagged pattern, apply the specific replacement
- Read the final text aloud (mentally): does it sound like something a real person would write?
- If it sounds like a press release or corporate brochure, rewrite in plain language
Banned Phrases and Replacements
Filler Openers (delete or rewrite)
| AI Pattern | Why It's Bad | Replace With |
|---|
| "It's important to note that..." | Adds nothing | State the point directly |
| "It's worth mentioning that..." | Padding | Just mention it |
| "In today's rapidly evolving landscape..." | Cliche opener | State the specific context |
| "Let's delve into..." | AI-signature phrase | Just start the content |
| "This is a great question" | Sycophantic | Answer the question |
Vague Intensifiers (replace with specifics)
| AI Pattern | Replace With |
|---|
| "significantly improved" | "improved by 34%" |
| "a wide range of" | State the actual range |
| "numerous benefits" | List the specific benefits |
| "highly effective" | State the measured effectiveness |
| "cutting-edge" | Name the specific technology or approach |
Corporate Buzzwords (use plain language)
| AI Pattern | Plain Language |
|---|
| "leverage" | "use" |
| "utilize" | "use" |
| "synergize" | "combine" or "work together" |
| "paradigm shift" | Describe the actual change |
| "holistic approach" | "complete approach" or describe what's included |
| "move the needle" | "improve [specific metric]" |
| "circle back" | "follow up" or "revisit" |
Structural Tells
| AI Pattern | Fix |
|---|
| Every paragraph starts with a topic sentence | Vary paragraph openings |
| Lists always have exactly 3-5 items | Use the natural number of items |
| "In conclusion" or "In summary" | Just state the conclusion |
| Symmetrical parallel structure everywhere | Allow natural variation |
| Every section has the same length | Let importance dictate length |
The Voice Test
Good writing has a distinctive voice. After cleaning AI patterns, check:
| Dimension | AI Writing | Human Writing |
|---|
| Confidence | Hedges everything | Takes clear positions |
| Specificity | Vague generalizations | Concrete examples and numbers |
| Personality | Neutral, interchangeable | Distinctive tone and word choices |
| Rhythm | Uniform sentence length | Varied: short punchy mixed with longer explanatory |
| Honesty | Presents everything positively | Acknowledges trade-offs and limitations |
Output Format
Apply this check to all outputs: Word documents, emails, PowerPoint text, Teams messages.
Guidelines
- Specific beats vague. Always. "$2.3M over 3 years" beats "significant cost savings."
- Short sentences are not a sign of simplicity. They are a sign of clarity.
- It is fine to start a sentence with "But" or "And" in professional writing.
- Use contractions naturally: "don't" is more human than "do not" in most business writing.
- Delete any sentence that could appear in any company's annual report unchanged.
- When in doubt, read it aloud. If you would not say it to a colleague, do not write it.
