Human Writing

Transform AI-assisted drafts into authentic prose. This skill extends writing-style with detailed workflows, frameworks, and examples.

Core Philosophy: The best writing is invisible. Readers should feel like they’re reading a real person’s thoughts.

When to Load This Skill

• Editing AI-generated content for publication
• Writing that must not appear AI-assisted
• Detailed voice work requiring frameworks
• Quality-checking before publish

For quick checks, writing-style (always loaded) has the essentials.

The SUCKS Framework

Before writing, answer these:

S – Specific: Write for ONE person. If you write for everyone, you write for no one.

U – Unique & Useful: Does this change how your reader thinks, feels, or acts?

C – Clear, Curious, Conversational: Could a 12-year-old understand the main point? Does it flow like talking to a friend?

K – Kept Simple: Simple ideas, simple words, clear structure.

S – Sticky: Memorable phrases they’ll repeat.

Sticky Sentence Techniques

Create memorable statements using:

Alliteration – Same starting sounds

• “Specificity is the secret”
• “The best jobs are neither decreed nor degreed”

Symmetry – Parallel structure

• “Read for awareness. Write for understanding.”
• “It’s not 10,000 hours. It’s 10,000 iterations.”

Contrast – Opposing ideas

• “To be everywhere is to be nowhere.”
• “Be clear, not clever.”

Rhythm – Pleasing cadence through sentence length variation

For maximum stickiness, combine techniques.

Human Markers

Add these to sound like a person wrote it:

Specificity: Not “many people” but “twelve developers at a Tuesday standup.”

Opinion: State your take. “Honestly, most voice matching tools overcomplicate this.”

Limitation: Admit what you don’t know. “This approach fails for highly technical content.”

Rhythm Variation:

• One-word paragraphs. Really.
• Sentences under 5 words for punch.
• Sentences over 20 words when building an argument that needs room.
• Start with “And” or “But” when natural.
• Parenthetical asides (the kind you’d say to a friend).

Anti-AI Pattern Detection

Beyond the forbidden words/patterns in writing-style:

Overuse of “Just” and “Actually”

AI uses these constantly as softeners. Limit to once per 500 words max.

• ❌ “We just need to understand that it’s just about learning”
• ✅ “It’s about learning.”

Hedging Language

Eliminate unless genuinely uncertain:

• ❌ “This might help you” → ✅ “This will help you”
• ❌ “It could be argued…” → ✅ State it directly
• ❌ “Perhaps we should consider…” → ✅ “We should…”

Passive Voice

AI defaults to passive because it’s safer.

• ❌ “It was determined that improvements were needed”
• ✅ “We need to improve”

Corporate Jargon

• ❌ “Leveraging synergies across stakeholder ecosystems”
• ✅ “Getting different people talking to each other”

Test: Would you say this to a friend? If not, rewrite.

Too Many Transitions

AI overuses transitions trying to seem sophisticated.

• ❌ “Furthermore, in addition, moreover…”
• ✅ Strong structure needs fewer transitions. Limit to: but, and, so, then, because.

The Humanization Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Source

• What’s the core insight?
• What’s the emotional arc?
• What’s the 30-second version?

Step 2: Apply SUCKS

• Who is my ONE reader?
• Is this unique and useful?
• Can I make it clear and conversational?
• What will stick?

Step 3: Write or Edit

If editing AI output: Read the entire draft, identify the core message, rewrite rather than patch.

Step 4: Strengthen Key Statements

Identify 2-3 most important sentences. Apply sticky techniques.

Step 5: Eliminate AI Tells

Systematic pass for:

• Correlative constructions
• “Just” / “Actually” overuse
• Hedge words
• Passive voice
• Corporate jargon
• Forbidden patterns

Step 6: Read Aloud

If you stumble reading it, readers will too.

Quality Checklist

Before publishing:

• No correlative constructions?
• No forbidden words/openers?
• Sentence lengths actually vary?
• At least one specific number or name?
• Took at least one opinion?
• Would a smart friend find this interesting?
• Read aloud without stumbling?

Before/After Examples

Correlative Construction

Before: “Voice matching isn’t just about mimicking words—it’s about capturing the rhythm and sensibility behind them.”

After: “Voice matching captures rhythm and sensibility, not just words.”

AI Opener

Before: “In the ever-evolving world of AI-assisted writing, finding your authentic voice has never been more crucial.”

After: “AI makes everything sound the same. Here’s how to make it sound like you.”

Hedge Stack

Before: “While there are many approaches to consider, it’s important to note that different techniques may work better depending on your specific situation.”

After: “Start with examples. Everything else is secondary.”

Passive + Jargon

Before: “The implementation of our innovative frameworks has demonstrated significant positive outcomes in terms of engagement metrics.”

After: “Our new approach works. People are paying attention.”

SEO Description Guidelines

For description frontmatter field:

• 150-160 characters
• Structure: [What it’s about] + [Key insight] + [What you get]
• Include primary keyword naturally
• Still punchy, not generic SEO slop

Good: “How I learned to capture any writer’s voice—using examples instead of descriptions. A wizard for building reusable voice skills.”

Bad: “Learn about voice matching techniques. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.”

Load this skill for detailed writing work. For quick checks, writing-style has the essentials.

Related Skills

• Enhanced by: anti-ai-writing, voice-analyzer, writing-style
• Feeds into: ghostwriter, social-content-creation, how-newsletters