aparente/claude-skills/humanizer

Humanizer: remove AI writing patterns

Rewrite text that sounds AI-generated so it reads like the writer, not a chatbot. Keep the writer's facts, meaning, and voice.

The patterns below come from Wikipedia's "Signs of AI writing", maintained by WikiProject AI Cleanup.

Scope: human-facing text only

This skill is for text a human will read: articles, posts, essays, marketing copy, READMEs, emails, docs. It optimizes for natural voice, varied rhythm, and personality.

Do not apply this skill to agent-consumed text, including:

• Skill files (SKILL.md, frontmatter descriptions)
• CLAUDE.md and other agent instruction files
• Slash-command and agent prompts
• System prompts, tool descriptions, hook scripts
• Routing rules and config files with embedded instructions

Agent-consumed text optimizes for precision, density, and unambiguous instruction, the opposite of natural human voice. Many patterns this skill flags (em dashes for tight clauses, parallel structure, technical metaphors, compact bullet lists, exact vocabulary) are features in agent context: they cut tokens, remove ambiguity, and survive context compression. Humanizing them makes the agent worse at following instructions.

If you are unsure whether a file is human-facing or agent-facing, check who reads it. If the answer is "a model parsing it as instructions," skip this skill.

What to do

When given text to humanize:

1. Find AI patterns. Check the text against the patterns below.
2. Keep every claim. You may shorten dull parts, expand useful parts, and merge or split paragraphs. Keep the information even when you change the structure.
3. Do not invent facts. Do not add a fact, name, number, date, quote, or citation unless it comes from the source or the user. If a sentence needs a missing detail, ask for it or use a simpler sentence. You may add an opinion or reaction when the writer's voice calls for one, but you may not add a factual claim. Fiction is exempt because invented details are part of the task.
4. Match the voice. Use the right tone for the text, such as formal, casual, or technical. Add personality only when the text and the writer call for it.

The input type controls what you return. See How to return the result. Use the same rewrite process in every mode.

Match the writer's voice

If the user provides a writing sample (their own previous writing), analyze it before rewriting:

1. Read the sample first. Note its sentence length, word choice, paragraph openings, punctuation, repeated phrases, and transitions.
2. Match those habits. Do not replace casual words with formal ones or remove deliberate quirks.
3. If there is no sample, use the guidance below.

A writing sample takes priority over these style rules. If the sample uses em dashes, keep them at about the same rate. Do not apply §14 as a ban.

Add personality only when it fits

Removing AI patterns is only half the job. The result should still sound like a person.

Use personality in blog posts, essays, opinions, and personal writing when it fits the writer. Keep reference, technical, legal, and factual text neutral. Do not add opinions or first-person language where they do not belong.

When personality fits, keep the writer's opinions, uncertainty, mixed feelings, humor, asides, and uneven rhythm. Never invent facts to make the text feel personal.

Content patterns

1. Inflated claims about importance and legacy

Words to watch: stands/serves as, is a testament/reminder, a vital/significant/crucial/pivotal/key role/moment, underscores/highlights its importance/significance, reflects broader, symbolizing its ongoing/enduring/lasting, contributing to the, setting the stage for, marking/shaping the, represents/marks a shift, key turning point, evolving landscape, focal point, indelible mark, deeply rooted Problem: AI writing often claims that ordinary details mark a major change, prove a legacy, or reflect a broad trend. Before:

The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was officially established in 1989, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of regional statistics in Spain. This initiative was part of a broader movement across Spain to decentralize administrative functions and enhance regional governance.

After:

The Statistical Institute of Catalonia was established in 1989, part of a wider decentralization of administrative functions in Spain.

2. Name-dropping to prove importance

Words to watch: independent coverage, local/regional/national media outlets, written by a leading expert, active social media presence Problem: AI writing often lists well-known publications or follower counts to prove that a person matters. The list usually gives no useful context. Before:

Her views have been cited in The New York Times, BBC, Financial Times, and The Hindu. She maintains an active social media presence with over 500,000 followers.

After:

Her views have been cited in The New York Times and the BBC.

If the source explains what the person said and where, keep that useful citation. Do not invent context for a shorter version.

3. Shallow analysis with -ing phrases

Words to watch: highlighting/underscoring/emphasizing..., ensuring..., reflecting/symbolizing..., contributing to..., cultivating/fostering..., encompassing..., showcasing... Problem: AI writing often adds an -ing phrase to make a simple fact sound deeper than it is. Before:

The temple's color palette of blue, green, and gold resonates with the region's natural beauty, symbolizing Texas bluebonnets, the Gulf of Mexico, and the diverse Texan landscapes, reflecting the community's deep connection to the land.

After:

The temple is painted blue, green, and gold, colors meant to evoke Texas bluebonnets and the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Sales language

Words to watch: boasts a, vibrant, rich (figurative), profound, enhancing its, showcasing, exemplifies, commitment to, natural beauty, nestled, in the heart of, groundbreaking (figurative), renowned, breathtaking, must-visit, stunning Problem: AI writing often sounds like an advertisement, especially when it describes places, culture, products, or organizations. Before:

Nestled within the breathtaking region of Gonder in Ethiopia, Alamata Raya Kobo stands as a vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.

After:

Alamata Raya Kobo is a town in the Gonder region of Ethiopia.

5. Vague sources

Words to watch: Industry reports, Observers have cited, Experts argue, Some critics argue, several sources/publications (when few cited) Problem: AI writing often assigns a claim to unnamed experts, critics, reports, or observers. Before:

Due to its unique characteristics, the Haolai River is of interest to researchers and conservationists. Experts believe it plays a crucial role in the regional ecosystem.

After:

Researchers and conservationists study the Haolai River for its unusual characteristics.

Name a real source when the source text provides one. Otherwise, remove the unsupported claim. Never invent a source.

6. Formulaic challenges and outlook sections

Words to watch: Despite its... faces several challenges..., Despite these challenges, Challenges and Legacy, Future Outlook Problem: AI articles often add a stock section about challenges, future prospects, or continued growth. These sections usually repeat vague claims instead of adding facts. Before:

Despite its industrial prosperity, Korattur faces challenges typical of urban areas, including traffic congestion and water scarcity. Despite these challenges, with its strategic location and ongoing initiatives, Korattur continues to thrive as an integral part of Chennai's growth.

After:

Korattur has recurring traffic congestion and water shortages.

Add details such as dates or public actions only when they come from the source or the user.

Language and grammar patterns

7. Overused AI words

High-frequency AI words: Actually, additionally, align with, crucial, delve, emphasizing, enduring, enhance, fostering, garner, gate/gated/gating (figurative; preserve established technical usage), highlight (verb), interplay, intricate/intricacies, key (adjective), landscape (abstract noun), load-bearing (figurative), pivotal, quietly, seam (figurative), showcase, tapestry (abstract noun), testament, underscore (verb), valuable, vibrant Problem: AI writing uses these words much more often than most people do, especially in groups. Before:

Additionally, a distinctive feature of Somali cuisine is the incorporation of camel meat. An enduring testament to Italian colonial influence is the widespread adoption of pasta in the local culinary landscape, showcasing how these dishes have integrated into the traditional diet.

After:

Somali cuisine also includes camel meat, which is considered a delicacy. Pasta dishes, introduced during Italian colonization, remain common, especially in the south.

Sub-pattern: "load-bearing" (Claude-favored, especially Opus). "Load-bearing" is a useful metaphor, a thing whose removal would make the surrounding structure fail. But Claude reaches for it constantly: "load-bearing assumption," "the why is load-bearing," "load-bearing comment." When every important detail is load-bearing, none of them are. Use it at most once per document, and only when the structural-failure metaphor is doing real work. Otherwise prefer plain words. Before:

The error-handling here is load-bearing, and the comment above it is also load-bearing because future readers won't reconstruct the reasoning.

After:

The error-handling here catches the auth failure before the retry loop. Remove the comment above it and the next reader has no shot at reconstructing why.

8. Avoiding is and are

Words to watch: serves as/stands as/marks/represents [a], boasts/features/offers [a] Problem: AI writing often replaces simple verbs such as is, are, and has with longer phrases. Before:

Gallery 825 serves as LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art. The gallery features four separate spaces and boasts over 3,000 square feet.

After:

Gallery 825 is LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art. The gallery has four rooms totaling 3,000 square feet.

9. Not X but Y and clipped negative endings

Problem: AI writing overuses forms such as "Not only...but..." and "It's not just X, it's Y."

It also adds clipped endings such as "no guessing" instead of writing a clear clause. Before:

It's not just about the beat riding under the vocals; it's part of the aggression and atmosphere. It's not merely a song, it's a statement.

After:

The heavy beat adds to the aggressive tone.

Before (tailing negation):

The options come from the selected item, no guessing.

After:

The options come from the selected item without forcing the user to guess.

10. Forced groups of three

Problem: AI writing often forces ideas into groups of three to sound complete. Before:

The event features keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Attendees can expect innovation, inspiration, and industry insights.

After:

The event includes talks and panels. There's also time for informal networking between sessions.

11. Changing names and repeating sentence openings

Problem: AI writing handles repetition by rule instead of by ear. It may keep renaming the same person or thing. It may also start several sentences with the same subject, often she or he.