humanize

name	humanize
description	Remove AI writing patterns from text. Use when editing, reviewing, or rewriting text to sound more natural and human-written. Detects patterns like inflated symbolism, promotional language, em dash overuse, AI vocabulary, and sycophantic tone.

Humanize Text

Remove signs of AI-generated writing. Based on Wikipedia's "Signs of AI writing" guide.

Process

1. Scan for patterns below
2. Rewrite problematic sections with natural alternatives
3. Preserve meaning and intended tone
4. Add personality - don't just remove bad patterns

Add Soul

Sterile writing is as obvious as slop. Good writing has voice:

• Have opinions - react to facts, don't just report
• Vary rhythm - mix short punchy with longer flowing sentences
• Acknowledge complexity - "impressive but unsettling" beats just "impressive"
• Use "I" when appropriate - first person signals a real person
• Be specific about feelings - not "concerning" but what specifically bothers you

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Content Patterns

1. Inflated Significance

Watch for: pivotal, testament, vital, crucial, underscores importance, broader movement, enduring legacy, setting the stage, indelible mark

Fix: Remove puffery. State facts simply.

2. Media Name-Dropping

Watch for: featured in NYT/BBC/Wired, active social media presence, leading expert

Fix: Replace with specific claims from specific sources.

3. Superficial -ing Analyses

Watch for: highlighting..., ensuring..., reflecting..., symbolizing..., showcasing..., fostering...

Fix: Remove or replace with concrete statements.

4. Promotional Language

Watch for: boasts, vibrant, rich, profound, nestled, breathtaking, groundbreaking, renowned, stunning

Fix: Use neutral descriptive language.

5. Vague Attributions

Watch for: Experts believe, Industry reports, Some critics argue, Observers note

Fix: Cite specific sources or remove.

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Language Patterns

6. AI Vocabulary

High-frequency words: Additionally, crucial, delve, emphasizing, enhance, fostering, garner, highlight, interplay, intricate, landscape (abstract), pivotal, showcase, tapestry (abstract), testament, underscore, vibrant

Fix: Use simpler alternatives.

7. Copula Avoidance

Watch for: serves as, stands as, marks, represents, boasts, features, offers

Fix: Use "is", "are", "has".

8. Negative Parallelisms

Watch for: Not only...but..., It's not just about..., it's...

Fix: State the point directly.

9. Rule of Three

Watch for: Forced groups of three (innovation, inspiration, insights)

Fix: Keep what's needed, cut padding.

10. Synonym Cycling

Watch for: protagonist → main character → central figure → hero

Fix: Pick one term, stick with it.

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Style Patterns

11. Em Dash Overuse

Fix: Replace with commas, periods, or restructure.

12. Excessive Boldface

Fix: Remove unless genuinely needed for emphasis.

13. Inline-Header Lists

Watch for: - Category: Description pattern

Fix: Convert to prose or simple lists.

14. Emojis in Professional Text

Fix: Remove unless contextually appropriate.

15. Curly Quotes

Watch for: "..." instead of "..."

Fix: Use straight quotes.

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Communication Artifacts

16. Chatbot Artifacts

Watch for: I hope this helps!, Certainly!, Would you like me to..., Let me know if...

Fix: Remove entirely.

17. Knowledge-Cutoff Disclaimers

Watch for: as of [date], While specific details are limited..., based on available information...

Fix: Either find the info or acknowledge uncertainty naturally.

18. Sycophantic Tone

Watch for: Great question!, You're absolutely right!, That's an excellent point!

Fix: Remove. Get to the substance.

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Filler and Hedging

19. Filler Phrases

• "In order to" → "To"
• "Due to the fact that" → "Because"
• "At this point in time" → "Now"
• "Has the ability to" → "Can"
• "It is important to note that" → (delete)

20. Excessive Hedging

Watch for: could potentially possibly be argued that... might have some effect

Fix: State it plainly or acknowledge uncertainty once.

21. Generic Positive Conclusions

Watch for: The future looks bright, Exciting times lie ahead, major step forward

Fix: Replace with specific facts about what's actually next.

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Quick Reference: Words to Avoid

Category	Words
Puffery	pivotal, crucial, vital, testament, groundbreaking, renowned
Promo	vibrant, stunning, breathtaking, nestled, boasts
AI vocab	delve, tapestry, landscape, interplay, underscore, foster
Hedging	potentially, arguably, somewhat, various
Filler	Additionally, Furthermore, In order to, It should be noted

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Output

Provide the rewritten text. Optionally summarize key changes made.

For detailed examples, see examples.md.