| name | docs-de-slopify |
| description | Remove telltale signs of AI-generated "slop" writing from documentation. Use when polishing README files, API docs, or any public-facing text to sound authentically human. |
Docs De-Slopify — Remove AI Writing Artifacts
Core Insight: You can't do this with regex or a script. It requires manual, systematic review of each line.
THE EXACT PROMPT — Full De-Slopify
I want you to read through the complete text carefully and look for any telltale
signs of "AI slop" style writing; one big tell is the use of emdash. You should
try to replace this with a semicolon, a comma, or just recast the sentence
accordingly so it sounds good while avoiding emdash.
Also, you want to avoid certain telltale writing tropes, like sentences of the
form "It's not [just] XYZ, it's ABC" or "Here's why" or "Here's why it matters:".
Basically, anything that sounds like the kind of thing an LLM would write
disproportionately more commonly than a human writer and which sounds
inauthentic/cringe.
And you can't do this sort of thing using regex or a script, you MUST manually
read each line of the text and revise it manually in a systematic, methodical,
diligent way. Think carefully and step-by-step; this is harder than it looks.
THE EXACT PROMPT — Quick Version
Review this text and remove any AI slop patterns: excessive emdashes, "Here's why"
constructions, "It's not X, it's Y" formulas, and other LLM writing tells. Recast
sentences to sound more naturally human. Think carefully and step-by-step; this is harder than it looks.
Patterns to Eliminate
| Pattern | Problem |
|---|
| Emdash overuse | LLMs love emdashes—they use them constantly—even when other punctuation works better |
| "It's not X, it's Y" | Formulaic contrast structure |
| "Here's why" | Clickbait-style lead-in |
| "Let's dive in" | Forced enthusiasm |
| "At its core..." | Pseudo-profound opener |
| "It's worth noting..." | Unnecessary hedge |
Emdash Alternatives
| Original | Alternative |
|---|
X—Y—Z | X; Y; Z or X, Y, Z |
The tool—which is powerful—works | The tool, which is powerful, works |
We built this—and it works | We built this, and it works |
Sometimes the best fix is to split into two sentences.
Before/After Examples
Emdash Overuse
Before:
This tool—which we built from scratch—handles everything automatically—from parsing to output.
After:
This tool handles everything automatically, from parsing to output. We built it from scratch.
"Here's why" Pattern
Before:
We chose Rust for this component. Here's why: performance matters.
After:
We chose Rust for this component because performance matters.
Contrast Formula
Before:
It's not just a linter—it's a complete code quality system.
After:
This complete code quality system goes beyond basic linting.
Forced Enthusiasm
Before:
# Getting Started
Let's dive in! We're excited to help you get up and running.
After:
# Getting Started
Install the tool and run your first command in under a minute.
Why Manual Review is Required
- Context matters — Sometimes an emdash is actually the right choice
- Recasting sentences — Often the fix isn't substitution but rewriting
- Tone consistency — Need to maintain voice throughout
- Judgment calls — Some patterns are fine in moderation
When to De-Slopify
- Before publishing a README
- Before releasing documentation
- After AI-assisted writing sessions
- During documentation reviews
What NOT to Fix
- Technical accuracy — Don't sacrifice correctness for style
- Necessary structure — Headers, lists are fine
- Clear explanations — Being thorough isn't slop
- Code examples — Focus on prose, not code
References
