From natural-writing
Use when writing prose, documentation, descriptions, blog posts, social media content, or any text that should read as natural human writing. Use when the user asks to "write like a human", "avoid AI patterns", "sound natural", or when output will be published where AI-sounding text is undesirable.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/natural-writing:natural-writingThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Write like a specific, opinionated human — not a statistical average of the internet. LLMs regress to the mean: replacing sharp facts with generic praise, concrete details with abstract significance. This skill counters that by banning the specific patterns researchers have documented as AI tells.
Write like a specific, opinionated human — not a statistical average of the internet. LLMs regress to the mean: replacing sharp facts with generic praise, concrete details with abstract significance. This skill counters that by banning the specific patterns researchers have documented as AI tells.
Be specific and plain. Say less, mean more. A human writer picks one precise detail over three vague adjectives. A human doesn't explain why something matters after every sentence — they trust the reader.
Stripping AI patterns can leave sterile, lifeless text. That's just as obvious.
Never use these in the figurative or filler sense. Each is statistically overrepresented in post-2023 AI text:
| Kill these | Use instead |
|---|---|
| delve/delve into | explore, examine, dig into, look at |
| tapestry (figurative) | mix, combination, variety |
| underscore (verb) | show, reveal, prove |
| pivotal | important, major, key moment |
| intricate/intricacies | complex, detailed, tricky |
| foster/fostering | build, encourage, grow |
| garner | get, earn, attract, win |
| showcase | show, display, demonstrate |
| landscape (figurative) | field, scene, world, space |
| testament (to) | proof, sign, evidence, shows |
| vibrant | lively, busy, active, colorful |
| crucial | important, critical, necessary |
| enhance | improve, boost, strengthen |
| enduring | lasting, long-running, persistent |
| interplay | interaction, tension, relationship |
| Additionally, (starting sentence) | Also, / On top of that, / And / [just start] |
| align with | match, fit, follow |
| valuable insights | useful findings, what we learned |
| evolving landscape | changing field, shifting ground |
| indelible mark | lasting effect |
| deeply rooted | long-standing, ingrained |
| nestled | located, sitting, tucked |
| groundbreaking (figurative) | new, original, first |
| renowned | well-known, famous |
| boasts a | has |
| in the heart of | in, in central, in downtown |
| diverse array | range, mix, variety |
| breathtaking | beautiful, striking, impressive |
| commitment to | focus on, effort toward |
| seamless/seamlessly | smooth, easy, without friction |
Never attach "broader significance" to ordinary facts.
BAD: "This etymology highlights the enduring legacy of the community's
resistance and the transformative power of unity in shaping its identity."
GOOD: "The Spanish colonizers changed the spelling to Bacnotan."
Never end sentences with a participial phrase that editorializes.
BAD: "The station supported express trains, contributing to the
socio-economic development of the region."
GOOD: "The station ran express trains to Delhi, Patna, and Kolkata."
Use "is" and "are". Don't dress up copulas.
BAD: "Gallery 825 serves as LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art."
GOOD: "Gallery 825 is LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art."
Drop the theatrical reframing. Just state facts.
BAD: "It constitutes not only a work of self-representation, but a visual
document of her obsessions."
GOOD: "It's a self-portrait that maps her obsessions visually."
Don't default to three-item lists for rhetorical effect.
BAD: "keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities"
GOOD: "talks and panels" (if that's what matters)
Never use the formulaic challenges-then-optimism structure.
BAD: "Despite its success, the canal faces challenges including...
Future investments could enhance its efficiency."
GOOD: "The canal's main problems are [specific things]. [Specific plan]
is supposed to fix [specific problem] by [date]."
Don't use "from X to Y" unless X and Y are endpoints on a real scale.
BAD: "from scientific discovery to artistic expression and technological innovation"
GOOD: "in science, art, and technology"
Repeat the same word rather than cycling through synonyms. If you said "artists", say "artists" again — not "creatives", then "practitioners", then "cultural workers".
Use commas, parentheses, or colons. Save em dashes for one or two per piece max.
Don't write like a brochure or press release. Cut adjectives that sell rather than describe.
BAD: "Nestled within the breathtaking region of Gonder, this vibrant
town offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the diverse tapestry."
GOOD: "The town sits in the Gonder region. It's known for its weekly
market and 18th-century church."
Name specific sources or cut the claim entirely.
BAD: "Experts believe it plays a crucial role in the regional ecosystem."
GOOD: "A 2019 survey by the Chinese Academy of Sciences found three
endemic fish species in the river."
Cut the padding. Say it directly.
| Kill | Replace with |
|---|---|
| In order to | To |
| Due to the fact that | Because |
| At this point in time | Now |
| In the event that | If |
| It is important to note that | [just say the thing] |
| has the ability to | can |
| a large number of | many |
| in terms of | [rephrase or cut] |
Don't over-qualify statements.
BAD: "It could potentially possibly be argued that the policy might
have some effect on outcomes."
GOOD: "The policy may affect outcomes."
Don't agree performatively. Respond to the substance.
BAD: "Great question! You're absolutely right that this is complex."
GOOD: "The economic factors you mentioned matter here."
End with specifics, not cheerleading.
BAD: "The future looks bright. Exciting times lie ahead as they
continue their journey toward excellence."
GOOD: "The company plans to open two more locations next year."
After writing, run this self-check:
Pass 1 — Pattern scan: Ask yourself "What makes this text obviously AI-generated?" List the remaining tells. Fix them.
Pass 2 — Voice check: Ask yourself "Does this sound like a person wrote it, or like nobody wrote it?" If it reads as clean but lifeless, add voice: an opinion, a specific feeling, a varied rhythm.
Before finishing any piece of writing:
[ ] No banned vocabulary
[ ] No trailing -ing editorializing
[ ] No "serves as" / "stands as" where "is" works
[ ] No "not just X but also Y" framing
[ ] No significance inflation on mundane facts
[ ] No formulaic challenges/outlook structure
[ ] No vague attributions — name sources or cut
[ ] No filler phrases or excessive hedging
[ ] No sycophantic or promotional tone
[ ] No chatbot artifacts
[ ] Sentence case headings, no emoji decoration
[ ] Straight quotes, minimal bold, minimal em dashes
[ ] Specific details, not generic praise
[ ] Has voice — opinions, varied rhythm, personality
[ ] Sounds like a person, not a pamphlet
npx claudepluginhub fadi-labib/claude-skills --plugin natural-writingApplies research-backed principles to craft human-like prose avoiding AI tells. For articles, blog posts, emails, marketing copy, social media—not code or docs.
Strips AI writing patterns from prose — removes negation-then-contrast, limits parallel lists, eliminates indirect repetition. Use for any human-facing text.
Humanizes AI-generated text by detecting and rewriting patterns like inflated symbolism, em dash overuse, passive voice, rule of three, and filler phrases. Use for editing or reviewing docs and code comments.