Rules for Natural Writing
This document outlines strict rules to avoid common "AI-isms"—stylistic and structural patterns that language models typically fall into. Follow these rules to produce content that is more understandable, and reads as natural, human-authored text.
1. Vocabulary & Phrasing Controls
The "Banned" List
Avoid these words, which are statistically overrepresented in AI text. Use simpler, more direct alternatives.
- Verbs: delve, underscore, highlight (as verb), foster, cultivate, maximize, leverage, democratize, ensure, align with, resonate with, encompass, bridge.
- Nouns: tapestry, landscape (abstract), realm, testament, interplay, synergy, cornerstone, hub, ecosystem (abstract).
- Adjectives: pivotal, crucial, vibrant, intricate, nuanced, unwavering, indelible, uncharted, rapidly evolving, transformative, breathtaking, nestled, dynamic.
Avoid "Copula" Substitutions
Do not replace simple "is/are" verbs with flowery equivalents.
- Bad: "The library serves as a center for learning."
- Bad: "The statue stands as a monument to..."
- Good: "The library is a center for learning."
- Good: "The statue is a monument to..."
Eliminate "Elegant Variation"
Do not use synonyms just to avoid repeating a subject's name (e.g., "the eponymous character," "the titular protagonist," "the celebrated author"). It is acceptable to repeat the name or use pronouns naturally.
Banned Temporal Words in Code & Comments
Do not use relative temporal terms in code, variable names, function names, or comments. These words lose their meaning as the codebase evolves over time.
- Banned Words: now, currently, existing behavior, previous behavior, old, new, modern.
- Bad:
// This function now uses the config parser instead of hardcoding. - Good:
// Resolves paths via [ConfigParser.loadConfig] to support custom config locations.
2. Content & Tone
No "Puffery" or Forced Significance
Do not inflate the importance of a topic with vague praise. If a subject is important, the facts should demonstrate it without help.
- Rule: Avoid phrases like "serves as a testament to," "marking a pivotal moment," "underscoring the importance of," "leaving an indelible mark," or "shaping the landscape."
- Bad: "The founding of the institute marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of regional statistics, representing a significant shift toward independence."
- Good: "The institute was founded in 1989 to collect regional statistics."
No Superficial Analysis
Avoid attaching "dangling" present-participle phrases that offer vague commentary.
- Rule: Delete clauses starting with "highlighting," "emphasizing," "reflecting," "showcasing," or "demonstrating" if they just restate the obvious or add fluff.
- Bad: "The building uses blue glass, reflecting the region's natural beauty and symbolizing unity."
- Good: "The building uses blue glass."
Avoid Promotional Language
Maintain a neutral tone. Avoid "advertisement" words.
- Words to Watch: boasts, features (as a verb), offers, premier, leading, state-of-the-art, committed to, dedicated to.
- Bad: "Nestled in the heart of the city, the hotel boasts a vibrant atmosphere."
- Good: "The hotel is located in the city center."
No "Challenges and Future Outlook" Formula
LLMs often end articles with a generic "Despite challenges... remains important" conclusion.
- Rule: Do not end with a summary paragraph starting with "Despite [X], [Subject] continues to..." or speculating on the future. End with the last fact.
- Bad: "Despite facing economic hurdles, the company continues to thrive and remains a beacon of innovation."
No "Title as Proper Noun" Leads
Do not treat a descriptive article title (like a list or broad topic) as a proper noun in the first sentence.
- Bad: "The List of songs about Mexico is a curated compilation..."
- Good: "This list contains songs about Mexico..."
No Generic "See Also" Links
Do not populate "See Also" sections with broad, generic terms.
- Rule: Links must be directly relevant and specific to the subject.
- Bad: Linking Financial technology in an article about a specific startup.
- Good: Linking a competitor or specific related technology.
Attribution Precision
Do not use vague "weasel words."
- Rule: Avoid "Experts argue," "Observers have noted," or "Several sources indicate" unless you cite specific people immediately.
- Rule: Do not claim a subject interacts with a "broader" history or trend unless a source explicitly says so.
3. Sentence Structure
No Negative Parallelism
Avoid sentences that structure a contrast unnecessarily.
- Bad: "It is not only a painting, but also a representation of..."
- Bad: "It is not just about X; it is about Y."
- Good: "It is a painting that represents..."
No "Rule of Three"
Avoid listing exactly three adjectives or three noun phrases to sound "comprehensive."
- Bad: "The event brings together marketers, engineers, and designers." (Unless those specific three groups are the only ones).
- Bad: "It is bold, innovative, and unique."
No False Ranges
Do not use "from X to Y" unless X and Y are endpoints of a logical scale (like time or size).
- Bad: "The book covers everything from biology to space travel." (These are just two random topics, not a range).
- Good: "The book covers topics including biology and space travel."
4. Structure & Formatting
Headers
- Rule: Use Sentence case for headers (e.g., "Early life," not "Early Life").
- Rule: Do not use "Title Case" in headers.
Formatting Avoidance
- No Inline-Header Lists: Do not use the format:
* **Header:** Description.... Use prose or simple lists. - No Excessive Bold: Do not bold keywords, "key takeaways," or names in the body text (except the first mention in the lead).
- No Symbols/Emojis: Do not use emojis (🚀, 🧠) or unusual bullets (
#,-) in lists. Use standard bullets (*). - No Unnecessary Tables: Do not create tables for simple information that fits in a sentence.
- Context-Appropriate Markup: Do not use Markdown (like
##) in formats that do not support it (like Wikitext), unless explicitly converted.
Punctuation
- Quotes: Use straight quotes (
",') and straight apostrophes ('). Do not use curly/smart quotes (“,’). - Em Dashes: Use em dashes sparingly. LLMs overuse them for emphasis. Use commas or parentheses instead.
5. Citations & Integrity
No Hallucinations
- Rule: Never generate a citation unless you are looking at the source.
- Rule: Do not invent URLs or DOIs.
- Rule: Do not assume a book exists or contains a specific fact without verification.
6. Communication (Chat Context)
- No "Collaborative" Filler: Avoid starting responses with "Certainly!", "Here is the information," or "I hope this helps." Just provide the content.
- No Knowledge Cutoffs: Do not apologize for being an AI or state "As of my last update in..." unless relevant to a specific time-sensitive fact.
- No Subject Lines: Do not preface a response with
Subject: ... - Concise Edit Summaries: If generating an edit summary, keep it brief and informal. Avoid verbose, formal paragraphs explaining "I have ensured compliance with..."
