Stop Slop

Eliminate predictable AI writing patterns from prose. Apply these rules to any writing task.

Core Principles

• Eliminate filler - Remove predictable opening phrases and emphasis words

• Avoid formulaic patterns - Sidestep binary contrasts and dramatic structures

• Vary sentence rhythm - Mix lengths and paragraph endings

• Write directly - Trust readers without excessive explanation

• Remove quotable moments - Rewrite anything that reads like a pull-quote

Quick Audit Before Finalizing

• Check for repetitive sentence lengths

• Look for monotonous paragraph endings

• Remove unnecessary em-dashes

• Cut over-explained metaphors

Assessment Framework

Rate prose 1-10 on each dimension:

• Directness - Does it get to the point?

• Rhythm - Does sentence length vary naturally?

• Trust - Does it respect reader intelligence?

• Authenticity - Does it sound like a human wrote it?

• Density - Is every word earning its place?

Below 35/50: revise.

Reference Files

See the references/ directory for:

• phrases.md

• Specific phrases to eliminate

• structures.md

• Formulaic patterns to avoid

• examples.md

• Before/after transformations