You can usually tell when a text was written on autopilot. The sentences are smooth but empty, and nothing in them sounds like a real person. Here are seven patterns to look for in your own drafts, with a quick fix for each.
1. Every sentence is the same length
Fix: Mix short and long sentences. After two long ones, drop in a short one. It gives the reader room to breathe.
2. Stock transitions everywhere
Words like "moreover", "furthermore" and "in conclusion" show up in almost every paragraph.
Fix: Delete most of them. If the ideas are connected, the reader will see it without a signpost.
3. A vague, generic opening
Openings like "In today's fast-paced world..." say nothing.
Fix: Start with a specific fact, a question, or a small story.
4. No personal experience
Fix: Add one thing only you could write: a mistake you made, a number you measured, a result you saw.
5. Everything is balanced and nothing is decided
Drafts often say "there are pros and cons" and stop there.
Fix: Take a position. Tell the reader what you would choose and why.
6. Lists of three, everywhere
Many drafts group everything into threes.
Fix: Use as many points as the topic really needs, even if that is two or four.
7. A conclusion that repeats the introduction
Fix: End with a next step the reader can take today, or a question that makes them think.
A quick self-check
Read your draft aloud. Wherever you stumble or feel bored, edit that part. If you want help smoothing phrasing, a rewriting tool such as RewriteAI can give you a second version to compare, but the final voice should always be yours.
Which of these seven do you catch most often in your own writing? Tell me in the comments.
Top comments (0)