# Check whether a draft reads like AI, and fix it: checklist

Scan a draft for the common tells of machine writing, mark each one, rewrite only the marked sentences, then scan again until the count of tells reaches zero.

## Before you start

- [ ] Have ready: The draft
  Paste the draft as it stands. Keep it to a few pages at most.
- [ ] Have ready: How it should sound
  Describe the voice you want in a few words, and who reads it.

## Step 1: Scan for tells of AI writing

- [ ] Find and list every sentence that shows a common tell of machine writing.
- [ ] You have: A numbered table of every tell found with the exact words, and a count.
- [ ] Check: Every quote in the Quote column appears word for word in the draft.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 2: Rewrite the marked sentences

- [ ] Rewrite only the marked sentences in plain words, keeping the meaning and every fact.
- [ ] You have: The full revised draft, with only the marked sentences changed.
- [ ] Check: Every number in the answer also appears in the draft.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 3: Scan again

- [ ] Scan the revised draft for the same tells, and count what is left.
- [ ] You have: A second table of any tells left, and a count that should be zero.
- [ ] Check: The answer includes the words "Tells found: 0".
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Final checks

- [ ] Check: The answer includes the words "Tells found: 0".
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Compare the revised draft with the original below. Does the revised draft say the same things, with every fact, name and date kept, and nothing added or dropped?
  Checked by a second AI prompt. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Read the revised draft aloud. Would you say these words to the reader? Mark anything that still sounds stiff and fix it in your own words.
  Checked by you. If not: Carry on, but write down the problem so whoever uses the result knows about it.

## You end up with

- [ ] The revised draft with the tells of AI writing removed.
- [ ] A list of what was found and a count that has reached zero.

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From Logic Lab (logiclabhq.com). Free to use and adapt, with credit.