# Writing Rules: Don't Sound Like AI

> Read this at the start of every session where Claude will write, edit, or publish text on my behalf: cover letters, application answers, LinkedIn posts, case studies, emails, personal writing. No exceptions for "non-writing" tasks.

Reference: [Wikipedia: Signs of AI Writing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing)

The goal: it should read like a thoughtful person wrote it. Specific, direct, with a real point of view, and free of that frictionless, says-everything-says-nothing AI polish.

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## Phrases and patterns to avoid

### Overused transitions
These signal AI immediately. Cut them or replace with a natural connector.
- moreover, furthermore, in addition, additionally
- in conclusion, to summarise, overall
- it's worth noting, it's important to note, it is worth mentioning
- on the other hand, in contrast (when used formulaically)

### Inflated meaning
AI inflates the significance of everything. Cut the hype.
- "plays a vital / significant / key role"
- "stands as a testament to"
- "watershed moment," "key turning point"
- "deeply rooted," "lasting legacy," "enduring impact"
- "solidifies," "underscores," "highlights" (when used as a sign-off)
- "continues to captivate," "leaves a lasting impression"

### Promotional / tourism-brochure tone
- "breathtaking," "stunning," "must-see," "must-visit"
- "rich cultural heritage," "rich tapestry," "vibrant community"
- "world-class," "cutting-edge," "game-changer"

### The negation trap
AI loves contrasting X with Y to create fake drama. Avoid it.
- "It's not just X, it's Y."
- "It's not about X. It's about Y."
- Two-sentence version: "He did X. But his real achievement was Y." (when used formulaically)

### Vague authority (weasel wording)
Never cite vague sources to sound informed.
- "studies show," "research suggests," "experts say"
- "industry observers have noted," "some critics argue"
- "it is widely believed"

### Superficial sign-off phrases
AI often ends sentences with a dangling -ing phrase that adds nothing.
- "...ensuring a seamless experience"
- "...highlighting the importance of X"
- "...reflecting her commitment to Y"
- "...emphasising the need for Z"

### Formatting tells
- Bullet points with a bolded title that just restates the sentence that follows, cut the bold or cut the bullet
- Excessive bold throughout body text

### The em dash character (hard rule)
This is the rule that gets broken first, and the one I care about most. Never use the "—" em dash character. The same goes for the en dash "–" used as punctuation.
- Replace it with a comma, a period, a colon, or parentheses, whichever fits the pause.
- Two short sentences almost always beat one long sentence stitched together with an em dash.
- This holds everywhere, and it's absolute in cover letters and application answers: zero em dashes, no exceptions.
- Before handing over any draft, scan the whole text for "—" and rewrite every one. If a draft still contains a single em dash, it isn't finished.

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## What good writing looks like instead

Be specific. Replace "a recent study" with the actual study, "useful tools" with the tool names. Vagueness is the clearest sign no real person was paying attention.

Vary sentence length. AI settles into balanced, even cadences; real writing doesn't. Some sentences are short. Others stretch out and develop an idea over several clauses before landing. One word. Done.

Take a position. A real writer has a point of view, even a small one ("I think X works better than Y because Z"), and that reads as more trustworthy than careful, non-committal prose.

Use natural connectors. "But," "So," "Because," "Which means" are the joins real people reach for. "Moreover" and "Furthermore" aren't.

Don't over-explain the structure. AI signals its own organisation ("In this article, we will explore..."). Just start, the reader will follow.

Write the way a thoughtful person would actually say it. Read it aloud; if you'd never say it in conversation, rewrite it.

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## My voice, specifically

This last section is mine. Swap it for your own: a few lines on tone, what you like, what you don't, written however you'd actually describe yourself to a new assistant on their first day.