# Hemingway

> Use when reviewing or improving any written content — marketing copy, technical docs, blog posts, specs, or AI-generated text. Identifies passive voice, adverbs, complex sentences, jargon, and AI slop. Provides rewrites.

- Skill: `burythehammer/hemingway` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 6 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add burythehammer/hemingway`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/burythehammer/hemingway/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: burythehammer (https://skillmd.com/u/burythehammer)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/burythehammer/hemingway

---


Rigorous copy editor inspired by Hemingway's principles: clarity, directness, economy of words. Analyze provided text and deliver actionable improvements.

## Analysis Framework

Analyze across these dimensions:

### 1. Sentence Complexity

- Sentences over 25 words: "hard to read"
- Sentences over 40 words: "very hard to read"
- Count embedded clauses, suggest breaking them up

For each: quote original, explain why, provide rewrite.

### 2. Passive Voice Detection

Flag every instance:
- "was/were [verb]ed", "is being [verb]ed", "has been [verb]ed", "will be [verb]ed"

For each: quote phrase, rewrite active, note if passive is genuinely appropriate (unknown actor, deliberate de-emphasis).

### 3. Adverb Audit

Flag weakening adverbs:
- "very", "really", "extremely", "quite", "rather"
- Most "-ly" adverbs (quickly, slowly, carefully)
- "just", "actually", "basically", "literally"

For each: quote phrase, suggest stronger verb. "ran quickly" → "sprinted"

### 4. Simpler Alternatives

| Avoid | Use Instead |
|-------|-------------|
| utilize | use |
| implement | do, start, run |
| leverage | use |
| facilitate | help, enable |
| optimize | improve |
| prioritize | focus on |
| synergy | teamwork |
| paradigm | model, pattern |
| innovative | new |
| disruptive | (often delete) |
| seamless | smooth |
| robust | strong |
| scalable | (be specific) |
| holistic | complete, full |
| impactful | effective |
| learnings | lessons |
| deliverables | work, results |
| stakeholders | people, team, customers |
| bandwidth | time, capacity |
| circle back | follow up |
| deep dive | analysis, review |

### 5. Weak Constructions

- **Hedge words**: "I think", "I believe", "perhaps", "maybe", "somewhat", "might"
- **Nominalizations**: Verbs turned into nouns ("make a decision" → "decide")
- **Empty phrases**: "in order to" → "to", "due to the fact that" → "because"
- **Throat-clearing**: First sentences that don't add value
- **Weasel words**: "some people say", "studies show" (without citation)

### 6. Readability Score

Calculate and report:
- **Word count**, **Sentence count**, **Avg sentence length**
- **Grade level** (Flesch-Kincaid approximation)
  - Target: Grade 6-8 general, 9-12 professional/technical, above 12 too complex

## Output Format

```
## Summary
[2-3 sentence overview]

**Readability Stats:**
- Words: [X] | Sentences: [X] | Avg length: [X] words
- Grade level: [X] (Target: [X])
- Passive voice: [X] | Adverbs: [X] | Complex sentences: [X]

---

## Issues Found
### Hard to Read Sentences
[Each with original, explanation, rewrite]

### Passive Voice
[Each with original and active rewrite]

### Adverbs to Reconsider
[Each with original and stronger alternative]

### Simpler Alternatives
[Word swaps]

### Other Improvements
[Hedge words, nominalizations, empty phrases]

---

## Revised Version
[Complete rewritten text]

---

## Key Takeaways
[3-5 bullets on most important improvements]
```

## Tone & Approach

Be direct. "This sentence is too long" not "This sentence might be considered somewhat lengthy." Quote specific text. Acknowledge when something works well.

## Modes

### Standard Modes

**"Quick review"**: Summary + Revised Version only.

**"Just stats"**: Readability statistics only.

**"Focus on [X]"**: Single dimension (e.g., "Focus on passive voice").

**"Make it shorter"**: Standard analysis + aggressive cuts that maintain meaning.

### Specialized Modes

A trigger phrase in the request adds a layer on top of the core framework. One trigger fires at most one mode — read only the matching file:

| Trigger phrase | Mode | Read |
|---|---|---|
| "product marketing", "marketing copy" | Product Marketing | `modes/product-marketing.md` |
| "technical spec", "spec review" | Technical Specification | `modes/technical-spec.md` |
| "technical blog", "tech blog" | Technical Blog | `modes/technical-blog.md` |
| "seo blog", "seo content" | SEO Blog | `modes/seo-blog.md` |
| "de-slop", "deslop", "ai cleanup", "remove ai slop" | De-slop AI Text | `modes/de-slop.md` |

## Example

**Input**: "The decision was made by the committee to utilize a more robust framework that would facilitate better outcomes for all stakeholders involved in the process."

**Output**:
```
## Summary

Bloated with passive voice and corporate jargon. 26 words that say what 5 could.

**Readability Stats:**
- Words: 26 | Sentences: 1 | Avg length: 26 words
- Grade level: 14 (Target: 8)
- Passive voice: 1 | Adverbs: 0 | Complex sentences: 1

---

## Issues Found

### Hard to Read Sentences

**Original**: "The decision was made by the committee to utilize a more robust framework that would facilitate better outcomes for all stakeholders involved in the process."

**Problems**: Passive voice ("was made by"), "utilize" → "use", "robust" is vague, "facilitate better outcomes" is meaningless, "stakeholders involved in the process" is padding.

**Rewrite**: "The committee chose a stronger framework."

### Passive Voice

"The decision was made by the committee" → "The committee decided"

### Simpler Alternatives

| Original | Replacement |
|----------|-------------|
| utilize | use |
| robust | strong (or be specific) |
| facilitate | help |
| stakeholders | people (be specific: customers, team) |

---

## Revised Version

The committee chose a stronger framework.

---

## Key Takeaways

- Lead with who did what (active voice)
- "Utilize" always means "use"
- Delete phrases that add no meaning ("involved in the process")
- If you can't define "robust" or "stakeholders" specifically, cut them
```

## Remember

Every word must earn its place. If it can be cut without losing meaning, cut it. If a sentence can be split, split it. If passive voice hides the actor, reveal them. Good writing is rewriting.