humanize-text-skill

humanize-text-skill

Subtraction plus addition. First remove AI-shaped prose, then pull the result toward a target human voice.

This skill is bilingual in behavior, but the documentation and operating contract are English-first.

What this skill is and is not

This is a writing-quality tool, not a verdict. The patterns flagged here are statistically more common in LLM output, but humans under deadline pressure, working in a second language, or drafting in an unfamiliar genre can produce the same shapes. Treat the findings as signals, not proof.

Modes

• rewrite: flag AI tone, rewrite the text, and pull toward a target voice if one is set
• detect: flag issues only, with no rewrite
• edit: edit a file in place with minimal targeted changes

Every mode runs protected-span detection first so version numbers, commands, paths, errors, quotes, and other anchored facts do not drift.

Working Style

Work like an editor, not a slogan filter. The goal is not just to delete AI-looking phrases. The goal is to leave the user with text they can actually send.

Default flow:

1. fence protected spans first
2. name the dominant problem
3. choose the lightest effective move
4. run one quick residue pass
5. return something usable for the scene

Default principles:

• fidelity before smoothness
• name the problem before changing the sentence
• use the smallest stable edit that solves it
• do not invent facts, sourcing, or attitude just to sound more human
• be direct in direct scenes and conservative in risky scenes

Typical Invocation Shapes

1. Direct skill call

/humanize-text-skill Please rewrite this so it sounds less like AI:

[paste text]

2. Natural-language request

Use humanize-text-skill to rewrite this README intro so it sounds natural:

This project serves as a testament to our commitment to innovation...

3. File-based request

/humanize-text-skill Please humanize the copy in article.md.

4. Detect-only request

/humanize-text-skill Detect mode: tell me what still sounds AI-generated, but do not rewrite yet.

5. Voice-targeted request

/humanize-text-skill Rewrite this in a blunt voice for an issue reply.

6. Custom voice calibration

/humanize-text-skill

Here is a sample of my writing:
[paste 2-3 paragraphs]

Now rewrite this in my voice:
[paste text]

When a user provides a personal sample, treat it as a custom voice profile:

• extract rhythm, sentence-length spread, connector habits, and first-person tendency
• do not copy factual content or opinions from the sample
• do not violate protected spans just to lower voice.drift

When the user's request is underspecified, prefer these defaults:

• pasted text -> rewrite
• "take a look" or "check this" -> detect
• "only touch this file/comment/paragraph" -> edit
• README, release note, issue reply, or forum post -> load the matching scene pack

What to remove or fix

The categories below are the human-facing rule catalog. Each ### entry maps to detector coverage, model judgment, or both. The English description is canonical for the contract; bilingual engine behavior still applies.

Tier 1 vocabulary (always flag)

Words and phrases that are dramatically overrepresented in AI text. Replace them on sight. Chinese examples include opener cliches, abstract business jargon, and social-platform sales talk. English examples include delve, tapestry, leverage, seamless, robust, comprehensive, game-changer, serves as, and at its core.

Tier 2 vocabulary (flag in clusters)

These words are individually acceptable, but clustering is the signal. In short paragraphs, two or more often means the writing is drifting toward template prose. Keep the best-fit instance and rewrite the rest.

Tier 3 vocabulary (flag by density)

Common abstract words should only be flagged when they saturate the document. Replace some of them with specifics such as numbers, concrete actions, names, dates, or examples.

Structural anti-patterns (cross-lingual)

Watch for summary closers, mechanical ordering, binary contrast framing, symmetry padding, empty balance, and other structures that sound manufactured rather than written.

Translation tone (Chinese-specific)

Chinese drafts can inherit English-thinking structures: stacked passives, long attributive chains, based on-style openers, and through ... to ... constructions. Rewrite the sentence around natural Chinese syntax instead of patching the surface.

Chatbot artifacts

Remove assistant residue entirely: greeting fluff, forced enthusiasm, help-closing lines, over-polite acknowledgments, and reasoning-process narration such as Let me think step by step.

Significance inflation

Cut claims that overstate the meaning of ordinary events. State what happened and let the reader decide whether it is pivotal.

Vague attribution

Phrases like experts believe and research suggests need a specific source. If there is no source, either cite one or remove the attribution.

False-concession structure

Balanced-sounding while X, Y or not X, but Y framing is often used to sound thoughtful without saying much. Make both sides concrete or choose the stronger point.

Promotional language

Remove ad copy, inflated product language, and corporate uplift. If the sentence would sound strange in a normal conversation, flatten it.

Social endorsement closers

Phrases such as worth your time, thank me later, or generic bookmarking prompts usually add no information. Replace them with who the piece is for and why.

Hedge-stacked predictions

Modal verbs plus stacked hedges (could potentially, may eventually) cancel each other out. Keep one hedge when uncertainty is real.

Formulaic openers

Avoid generic scene-setting such as in today's rapidly evolving world. Lead with the actual news or claim, then add context if needed.

Emotional flatline

Statements like what surprised me most or this was deeply meaningful often name a feeling without earning it. Show the specifics or cut the emotion claim.

Novelty inflation

Be suspicious of nobody is talking about this framing. Unless novelty is clearly supported, frame the idea as one interpretation rather than a revelation.

AI-tool fingerprints (placeholders / citations / UTM)

Strip mechanical artifacts such as unfilled placeholders, leaked chatbot citation markup, and URL parameters tied to chat tools. These are tool residue, not style.

Rhythm & uniformity (stylometric)

Even when vocabulary looks fine, drafts can still feel synthetic because the rhythm is too smooth. Watch for sentence-length uniformity, repetitive punctuation behavior, and low variation in grammatical movement.