AI writing detox

Good writing is invisible. If readers notice the writing style, it's distracting from the content. AI patterns are noticeable, they break trust.

When to use

• Writing or editing any journalism content
• Creating press releases or media advisories
• Drafting documentation or reports
• Writing social media posts
• Reviewing any AI-assisted text before publication

Banned words (delete or replace)

Banned phrases

Throat-clearing (delete entirely)

• "It's important to note that..."
• "In today's [X] landscape..."
• "Let's dive/delve into..."
• "Without further ado..."
• "In this article, we will..."
• "It's worth mentioning that..."
• "It goes without saying..."
• "As we all know..."

Empty hedges

• "To be fair..." / "To be honest..."
• "At the end of the day..."
• "When it comes to..."
• "In terms of..."
• "With respect to..."

AI enthusiasm

• "This is a game-changer"
• "...and that's a good thing!"
• "Here's the thing:"
• "...and that's okay!"
• "...and I'm here for it"

Corporate buzzwords

• "Moving forward..."
• "Going forward..."
• "At this point in time..."
• "Due to the fact that..."
• "In order to..."

Banned structures

Don't start sentences with:

• "So," or "Well,"
• "Now," (when not about time)
• "Look," or "Listen,"
• "Basically," or "Essentially,"

Don't end sentences with:

• "...right?"
• "...you know?"
• "...if you will"

The substitution table

Case sensitivity

Always use sentence case for headings, not title case.

Journalism-specific patterns to avoid

"Not just X—it's Y" pattern

Avoid: "This isn't just a news story—it's a wake-up call" Avoid: "This wasn't just a press conference—it was a turning point"

Do instead: State the thing directly without dramatic framing

"Fundamentally transforms" pattern

Avoid: "This fundamentally transforms how newsrooms operate" Avoid: "This represents a fundamental shift in journalism"

Do instead: Describe the actual change without hyperbole

Inflated claims in reporting

Avoid: "A bombshell revelation" Avoid: "A major milestone" Avoid: "A groundbreaking investigation"

Do instead: Let the facts speak. Readers judge significance.

Empty transitions

Avoid: "With that in mind..." Avoid: "Building on this foundation..." Avoid: "Taking this a step further..."

Do instead: Just make the next point

"It's not about X, it's about Y" pattern

Avoid: "It's not about the technology, it's about the people" Avoid: "This isn't about clicks. It's about trust."

Do instead: State the actual point without rhetorical setup. The X-not-Y construction is the dominant 2025-2026 ChatGPT/Claude rhetorical signature.

Em-dash overuse between independent clauses

Avoid: "The vote was close — only three council members opposed it — but the measure passed." Avoid: "Reporters arrived early — the press conference was already underway."

Do instead: Use commas, periods, or semicolons. Em-dashes are fine in moderation; reflexive use across every paragraph is a tell.

"The reality is..." / "The truth is..." openers

Avoid: "The reality is, most newsrooms can't afford this." Avoid: "The truth is, readers don't trust anonymous sources."

Do instead: Just state the claim. The opener adds words and signals AI-generated framing.

Tricolon abuse (reflexive three-item lists)

Avoid: "Clear, concise, and compelling reporting." Avoid: "Trust is built through accuracy, transparency, and consistency."

Do instead: Use one or two specific points. Three-item parallel lists are an AI rhythm pattern that reads as filler when used reflexively.

Before and after examples

Example 1: General prose

AI slop:

In today's rapidly evolving media landscape, it's crucial to understand the multifaceted nature of AI tools. Let's delve into how these robust solutions can help journalists leverage cutting-edge technology.

Human writing:

AI tools do three things well: drafting, research, and analysis. Here's when to use each.

Example 2: News lede

AI slop:

The city council meeting was a comprehensive and transformative discussion that fundamentally addressed key issues affecting residents in a meaningful way.

Human writing:

The city council voted 5-2 Tuesday to raise property taxes by 3 percent.

Example 3: Feature intro

AI slop:

In the rich tapestry of American journalism, few stories are as compelling as the one about to unfold. This isn't just a profile—it's a journey into the heart of what makes local news truly matter.

Human writing:

Maria Rodriguez has published a newspaper for 47 years. She's never missed an issue.

Example 4: Analysis piece

AI slop:

Moving forward, stakeholders must leverage innovative approaches to navigate the challenging landscape of digital transformation in the journalism ecosystem.

Human writing:

Local papers that want to survive need to find digital revenue. Most haven't.

The verbal tic test

Read your text aloud. Does it sound like:

• A TED talk introduction? Rewrite.
• A LinkedIn post? Rewrite.
• A press release? Rewrite.
• Corporate communications? Rewrite.
• How you'd explain it to a colleague? Keep it.

Quick self-check before publishing

Search your text for:

1. "delve" → delete or replace
2. "landscape" → delete or replace
3. "crucial" → is it actually crucial?
4. "robust" → what does this mean here?
5. "leverage" → just say "use"
6. "comprehensive" → is this word doing any work?
7. Starting "So," → delete

Found any? Your writing needs another pass.

Red flags in technical/analysis writing

1. Lists of near-synonyms: "comprehensive, sophisticated, and robust" (pick one or none)
2. Excessive hedging: "may potentially be able to possibly..."
3. Noun stacking: "production-ready deployment system infrastructure"
4. Passive voice hiding agency: "It was determined that..." (by whom?)
5. Circular definitions: "The system enables users to use the functionality"

The ultimate test

Before accepting any AI-assisted text, ask:

1. Can I delete this word/phrase without losing meaning? → Delete it
2. Is this the simplest way to say this? → Simplify
3. Would I say this out loud to a colleague? → If not, rewrite
4. Does this add information or just sound impressive? → If the latter, cut it

If readers think "AI wrote this," you've already lost their trust.

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Good writing is invisible. If readers notice the writing, it's getting in the way of the content.

See also: hooks/ai-slop-detector.md for the automated companion to this skill.

Reference files

Read Simplified technical English for newsroom and technical prose when clarity, controlled terms, or procedural register matters.

Read Slop-era principles when polished output may hide weak intent, evidence, or review.