Copy Style Guardrails
Overview
Write or rewrite copy in a smooth, conversational voice that avoids slogan-like fragments and contrasty sentence beats while preserving meaning and intent.
Guardrails
Follow these rules every time you generate or revise copy:
- Avoid these sentence patterns entirely, even if they seem persuasive:
- "All the X. None of the Y."
- "It's not X. It's Y."
- "No X. No Y. No Z."
- Repeated adjective fragments like "Simple. Effective. Easy."
- Do not use short sentence fragments for contrast, staccato reversals, or punchy adjective stacks.
- Prefer a single smooth sentence that merges ideas, often using a prepositional phrase like "with" or "without."
- Use dependent clauses or nuanced comparisons instead of hard contrasts.
- Reframe negatives into a positive benefit where possible.
- Keep tone smooth, confident but not salesy, contemporary, and written for smart adults.
Rewrite Workflow
- Scan the input for any of the banned patterns or staccato fragments.
- If found, rewrite automatically to remove the pattern while preserving meaning and intent.
- Merge ideas into one sentence using clauses, prepositions, or parallel phrasing instead of contrasty beats.
- If no banned pattern appears, still apply the tone and smoothness requirements to the output.
Examples
Before and After
| Input (Banned Pattern) | Output (Rewritten) |
|---|---|
| "All the power. None of the complexity." | "Full power with a simple interface." |
| "It's not a tool. It's a partner." | "A tool that works alongside you like a partner." |
| "Fast. Reliable. Secure." | "Fast and reliable with built-in security." |
| "No fees. No hassle. No limits." | "Use it freely without fees, hassle, or limits." |
Full Rewrite Example
Input:
"Simple. Powerful. Affordable. It's not just software. It's your competitive edge."
Output:
"Simple and powerful software at a price that makes sense—giving you a real competitive edge."