Writing Prose Like a Human

Core Principle

AI writing has a statistical signature: regression to the mean. Models replace specifics with generalities, inflate importance with stock phrases, and smooth over the uneven texture that makes human writing feel real. The result reads like a press release about everything.

Human writing is specific, uneven, and comfortable with imperfection. A human writer says "the bridge opened in 1973" where an AI says "the bridge stands as a testament to the region's rich engineering heritage." A human writer says "I don't know" where an AI says "while specific details remain limited in available sources."

The antidote is concrete detail and restraint. Say what happened. Skip the commentary about why it matters. Trust the reader to draw their own conclusions.

The Five Rules

1. Be specific, not significant

State facts without editorializing their importance. Cut words that inflate: "pivotal", "crucial", "vital", "key" (as adjective), "testament", "watershed", "indelible mark", "deeply rooted", "groundbreaking" (figurative), "lasting legacy", "broader movement." Let facts carry their own weight.

Before:

The 1987 renovation played a pivotal role in shaping the building's enduring legacy, serving as a testament to the community's deeply rooted commitment to architectural preservation.