AI text generation has its place. It’s convenient, fast and, if your prompt is good, it can effectively get ideas on paper in an organized way.
However, AI is still a machine. Because it has no life experience or feelings, it produces materials that sound flat and uninspiring, which we can’t connect with on a human level.
So where does that leave us? Is writing from scratch the only option? I believe that if you’re willing to do a little editing, there is a middle ground. When you use AI as a collaborative tool to get a document started and then rework the text to humanize it, you can make it sound more engaging.
Below is an 8-step process to take your AI-generated writing from bland to engaging.
STEP 1: CHECK THE FACTS
AI hallucinates and makes up facts, so the first step is to fact-check the material and update anything wrong.
STEP 2: READ IT OUT LOUD
Listen for formal or awkward sentences that your tongue trips over and edit them to sound more like you are talking with a friend. And, unless there is a good reason to keep a level of formality, use contractions like wouldn’t, I’m, she’s, there’s and so on.
STEP 3: REMOVE DUPLICATED TEXT & JARGON
AI repeats itself, so check your document for duplicated text and ideas. And while you’re doing that, replace jargon or corporate speak, like “synergy” or “leverage”, with the kind of plain English your grandmother can understand.
STEP 4: CHANGE THE LENGTH OF SENTENCES
Humans never write sentences that are all the same length. We use shorter statements for impact or to give a sense of urgency and longer, more complex ones to provide details and build tension. Sentence length contributes to meaning, depth, and feeling and provides a sense of rhythm that appeals to the human mind.
STEP 5: INCORPORATE STORIES
Is there an opportunity to tell a story? Our minds are wired for stories and bringing them into AI-generated writing will immediately draw people into the text.
STEP 6: ADD SOME EMOTION
From vivid language to expressing emotions such as shock, sadness and humor, we connect to other people on an emotional level. Read the text to identify opportunities to change bland and familiar descriptions into the language of feelings.
STEP 7: HIRE AN EDITOR OR PROOFREADER
If you aren’t used to analyzing language, spotting AI patterns can be a little tricky. You can hire an editor or proofreader to review any important, critical or valuable assets created by AI. They can provide a fresh perspective and ensure your content is engaging and human-sounding.
Proofing and AI review services from Proofing Experts
At Proofing Experts, we frequently suggest alternate wording to humanize robotic language patterns and flat content, and we perform basic fact-checking as part of our proofreading and editing service. We offer three service levels, proofreading, editing and fact checking. Find out more on the Proofing Experts Services page.
AI helps you write faster. Human insight turns AI drafts into credible content your audience can believe. Proofing Experts can make sure you still sound human. Get a quote today.