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Use when drafting, editing, or reviewing any prose to detect and remove AI writing patterns including overused vocabulary (delve, tapestry, landscape), formulaic structures (binary contrasts, rule of three), throat-clearing openers, business jargon, and other LLM tells
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SOC 職業分類に基づく
Use periodically (weekly or before a release) to find stale numbers, outdated descriptions, broken links, and inconsistencies across the codebase. Run after merging multiple PRs or before preparing a meeting report.
Use before a Sutro Group meeting to compile results and prepare a presentation report.
Use when running a new experiment. Follows the two-phase protocol from LAB.md.
Use before any research task, experiment, or PR review. Loads current project state from DISCOVERIES.md, open questions, and recent Telegram discussion.
Use at the start of any session and before pushing. Syncs Telegram, Google Docs, and GitHub state for the Sutro Group research workspace.
Use at the start of a weekly session. Syncs all sources and generates a catch-up summary.
| name | anti-slop-guide |
| description | Use when drafting, editing, or reviewing any prose to detect and remove AI writing patterns including overused vocabulary (delve, tapestry, landscape), formulaic structures (binary contrasts, rule of three), throat-clearing openers, business jargon, and other LLM tells |
Field guide for eliminating AI writing patterns from prose. Compiled from multiple sources including Wikipedia's Signs of AI Writing, community research, and practitioner guides.
These words started appearing far more frequently in text after 2023. They co-occur in LLM output; where there is one, there are likely others. Introducing lots of them is one of the strongest tells for AI use.
additionally, align with, crucial, delve, emphasizing, enduring, enhance, fostering, garner, highlight (as a verb), interplay, intricate/intricacies, key (as an adjective), landscape (abstract noun), pivotal, showcase, tapestry (abstract noun), testament, underscore (as a verb), valuable, vibrant
deeply, truly, fundamentally, inherently, simply, literally, inevitably, remarkably, notably, particularly, essentially, undeniably, profoundly
always, never, everyone, everybody, nobody, undoubtedly, unquestionably
Remove these. State the content directly.
These add no meaning. Delete them.
Remove self-referential asides:
False intimacy or manufactured sincerity:
Cut or replace:
These appear when chatbot-to-user phrasing leaks into prose:
| Avoid | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Navigate (challenges) | Handle, address, deal with |
| Unpack (analysis) | Explain, examine |
| Lean into | Accept, embrace |
| Landscape (context) | Situation, field, area |
| Game-changer | Significant, important |
| Double down | Commit, increase |
| Deep dive | Analysis, examination |
| Take a step back | Reconsider |
| Moving forward | Next, from now |
| Circle back | Return to, revisit |
| On the same page | Aligned, agreed |
| Leverage | Use |
| Harness | Use, apply |
| Unlock potential | Enable, allow |
| Paradigm shift | Change, shift |
| Synergy | Cooperation, combined effect |
| Streamline | Simplify |
| Robust | Strong, reliable |
| Seamless | Smooth |
| Cutting-edge | New, advanced |
| Best-in-class | Leading, top |
| Groundbreaking | New, original |
These create false drama. State the point directly.
| Pattern | Problem |
|---|---|
| "Not because X. Because Y." | Telegraphed reversal |
| "[X] isn't the problem. [Y] is." | Formulaic reframe |
| "The answer isn't X. It's Y." | Predictable pivot |
| "It feels like X. It's actually Y." | Setup/reveal cliche |
| "The question isn't X. It's Y." | Rhetorical misdirection |
| "Not X. But Y." | Mechanical contrast |
| "It's not this. It's that." | Same formula, different words |
| "stops being X and starts being Y" | False transformation arc |
| "It isn't just X, it's Y" | Promotional reframe |
| "X is more than just Y; it's Z" | Escalation cliche |
| "It wasn't X, it was Y" | Hindsight reversal |
| "This is where X comes in" | Manufactured entrance |
Fix: State Y directly. "The problem is Y." "Y matters here."
Sentence fragments for emphasis read as manufactured profundity.
| Pattern | Problem |
|---|---|
| "[Noun]. That's it. That's the [thing]." | Performative simplicity |
| "X. And Y. And Z." | Staccato drama |
| "This unlocks something. [Word]." | Artificial revelation |
Fix: Complete sentences. Trust content over presentation.
These announce insight rather than deliver it.
| Pattern | Problem |
|---|---|
| "What if [reframe]?" | Socratic posturing |
| "Here's what I mean:" | Redundant preview |
| "Think about it:" | Condescending prompt |
| "And that's okay." | Unnecessary permission |
| "So, what exactly is X?" | Fake curiosity |
| "But now? You won't believe..." | Manufactured suspense |
Fix: Make the point. Let readers draw conclusions.
Parallel constructions involving "not", "but", or "however" such as "Not only ... but ..." or "It is not just about ..., it's ..." are very common in LLM writing to appear balanced and thoughtful.
LLMs overuse the rule of three. This takes different forms:
Fix: Use two items or one. Break the triple pattern.
LLMs employ figurative "from ... to ..." constructions where the endpoints are loosely related or unrelated and no meaningful scale can be inferred.
Fix: Be specific about what you actually mean.
| Pattern | Problem |
|---|---|
| "By the time X, I was Y." | Narrative template |
| "X that isn't Y" | Indirect. Say "X is broken" |
| "Despite its [positive], X faces challenges..." | Outline-like conclusion |
| "Challenges and Legacy" | AI section heading cliche |
| "Future Outlook" / "Future Prospects" | Speculative padding |
Many AI articles include a section that begins "Despite its [positive quality], [subject] faces challenges..." and ends with vaguely positive speculation. This rigid formula is a strong AI tell.
| Pattern | Fix |
|---|---|
| Three consecutive sentences match length | Break one |
| Paragraph ends with punchy one-liner | Vary endings |
| Em-dash before a reveal | Remove it, use period or comma |
| Explaining a metaphor | Trust it to land |
| Questions answered immediately | Let questions breathe or cut them |
| Paragraphs starting with "So" | Start with content |
| Sentences starting with "Look," | Remove |
| Every paragraph ends punchily | Vary endings |
| Staccato fragmentation | Don't stack short punchy sentences |
| Dashes for dramatic pause | Use commas or periods |
| "Not always. Not perfectly." | Hedging disguised as reassurance |
| Multiple sentences opening identically | Vary first 3-5 words |
| Uniform paragraph length | Mix short and long |
| Reusing "Furthermore/Moreover/In addition" | Use one, cut the rest, or restructure |
LLMs substitute constructions like "serves as a" or "marks the" for simpler "is" or "are" phrasing. One study documented an over 10% decrease in "is" and "are" usage in AI-assisted academic writing.
| AI prefers | Human writes |
|---|---|
| serves as | is |
| stands as | is |
| marks | is |
| represents | is |
| boasts | has |
| features | has |
| offers | has |
AI has a repetition-penalty that makes it avoid reusing words. It will give a character's name then switch to "the protagonist," "the key player," "the eponymous character" etc. If you mean the same thing, use the same word.
LLM writing puffs up importance by adding statements about how aspects "represent" or "contribute to" broader topics.
Words to watch: stands/serves as, is a testament/reminder, a vital/significant/crucial/pivotal/key role/moment, underscores/highlights its importance/significance, reflects broader, symbolizing its, ongoing/enduring/lasting, contributing to the, setting the stage for, marking/shaping the, represents/marks a shift, key turning point, evolving landscape, focal point, indelible mark, deeply rooted
LLMs have serious problems keeping a neutral tone, especially when writing about anything that could be considered "cultural heritage."
Words to watch: boasts a, vibrant, rich (figurative), profound, enhancing its, showcasing, exemplifies, commitment to, natural beauty, nestled, in the heart of, groundbreaking (figurative), renowned
AI inserts superficial analysis, often by attaching a present participle ("-ing") phrase at the end of sentences.
Words to watch: highlighting/underscoring/emphasizing..., ensuring..., reflecting/symbolizing..., contributing to..., cultivating/fostering... (figurative), encompassing..., valuable insights, align/resonate with
AI attributes opinions or claims to vague authority.
Words to watch: Industry reports, Observers have cited, Experts argue, Some critics argue, several sources/publications (when only few are cited), such as (before exhaustive word lists)
Phrases that leak the chatbot's awareness of its own limitations into prose:
Announcing what you're about to say instead of saying it:
Zooming out to high-level generalizations:
Before delivering prose, check:
Rate 1-10 on each dimension:
| Dimension | Question |
|---|---|
| Directness | Statements or announcements? |
| Rhythm | Varied or metronomic? |
| Trust | Respects reader intelligence? |
| Authenticity | Sounds human? |
| Density | Anything cuttable? |
| Specificity | Concrete or generic? |
Below 40/60: revise.
Before:
"Here's the thing: building products is hard. Not because the technology is complex. Because people are complex. Let that sink in."
After:
"Building products is hard. Technology is manageable. People aren't."
Before:
"It turns out that most teams struggle with alignment. The uncomfortable truth is that nobody wants to admit they're confused. And that's okay."
After:
"Teams struggle with alignment. Nobody admits confusion."
Before:
"In today's fast-paced landscape, we need to lean into discomfort and navigate uncertainty with clarity. This matters because your competition isn't waiting."
After:
"Move faster. Your competition is."
Before:
"Speed. Quality. Cost. You can only pick two. That's it. That's the tradeoff."
After:
"Speed, quality, cost -- pick two."
Before:
"What if I told you that the best teams don't optimize for productivity? Here's what I mean: they optimize for learning. Think about it."
After:
"The best teams optimize for learning, not productivity."
Before:
"Nestled within the breathtaking region of Gonder in Ethiopia, Alamata Raya Kobo stands as a vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and a significant place within the Amhara region. From its scenic landscapes to its historical landmarks, Alamata Raya Kobo offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Ethiopia."
After:
"Alamata Raya Kobo is a town in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, in the Gonder area."
Before:
"The founding of Idescat represented a significant shift toward regional statistical independence, enabling Catalonia to develop a statistical system tailored to its unique socio-economic context. This initiative was part of a broader movement across Spain to decentralize administrative functions and enhance regional governance."
After:
"Idescat gave Catalonia its own statistical system. Spain was decentralizing administrative functions at the time."
Before:
"This etymology highlights the enduring legacy of the community's resistance and the transformative power of unity in shaping its identity."
After:
"The name reflects the community's history of resistance."
alchemy, beacon, bustling, captivate, cherished, commendable, comprehensive, cornerstone, crucible, cutting-edge, dazzling, delve, demystify, discerning, dynamic, elucidate, embark, empower, enchanting, endeavor, enduring, enigma, epitome, ever-evolving, exquisite, facilitate, fascinating, first-hand, flourish, forge, foster, game-changer, garnish, gateway, groundbreaking, hallmark, harness, holistic, ignite, illuminate, imbue, immerse, impactful, imperative, impressive, in-depth, indispensable, ingenious, innovative, insightful, inspire, instrumental, interplay, intricate, invaluable, journey (figurative), juxtapose, keen, key (adjective), landscape (figurative), leverage, luminary, masterful, meticulous, mind-blowing, monumental, multifaceted, must-read, navigate, nestle, noteworthy, nuanced, orchestrate, outstanding, paradigm, paramount, passion-driven, perpetuate, pervasive, pivotal, plethora, poignant, premier, prestigious, profound, proliferate, propel, quintessential, realm, reimagine, remarkable, renowned, resonate, revolutionize, rigorous, robust, salient, scrutinize, seamless, sentiment, showcase, significant (as filler), spearhead, staggering, streamline, superb, symbiotic, synergy, tapestry (figurative), testament, thought-provoking, thriving, trailblazing, trajectory, transformative, traverse, treasure trove, underscore, undeniable, underpin, unearth, unparalleled, unprecedented, unveil, unwavering, utilize, vibrant, visionary, vital, volition, world-class
The fundamental difference between human and AI writing:
AI deploys stylistic devices reflexively and indiscriminately. Humans use them intentionally and sparingly.
Good writing varies structure. AI maintains unnatural consistency. Human authenticity comes from specificity rooted in tangible experience and developed voice.
The AI signature is "surface polish with nothing underneath" -- paragraphs that say in four sentences what needs one, coherent individually but lacking a throughline, plausible but never specific.
The antidote is always the same: be concrete, be specific, say less.
MIT. Original stop-slop skill by Hardik Pandya. Compiled and expanded by Yad Konrad.
