# Writing Style

> Human writing standards to eliminate AI-generated text patterns. This skill should be used for any copywriting, marketing content, documentation, or professional writing to ensure output reads as genuinely human. Covers banned vocabulary, punctuation discipline, sentence variety, and tone guidelines.

- Skill: `majiayu000/writing-style-4` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/writing-style-4`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/writing-style-4/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/writing-style-4

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# Human Writing Standards

## Purpose

AI-generated text has recognizable patterns that erode trust and signal inauthenticity. This skill enforces rules for writing that reads as genuinely human—the standard used by Zed, Basecamp, Linear, Stripe, and Apple.

## Workflow

To produce human-quality writing:

1. **Draft content normally**
2. **Run the self-check** (see Quick Self-Check below)
3. **Fix any violations** using the reference material

## Quick Self-Check

Before publishing any content, verify:

1. **Vocabulary scan**: Search for banned words (delve, tapestry, landscape, leverage, robust, seamless, comprehensive, crucial, multifaceted, embark, journey, moreover, furthermore, utilize, foster, showcase)
2. **Em-dash count**: More than 2 on the page? Rewrite.
3. **Opening check**: Does it start with "In today's..." or "Whether you're..."? Rewrite.
4. **Colon check**: Does the headline have a colon? Remove it.
5. **Vagueness check**: Replace "helps you manage" with something specific.
6. **Read aloud**: Does it sound like a person talking, or a press release?
7. **"The" count**: Too many sentences starting with "The [product]..."? Vary it.
8. **Enthusiasm check**: More than one exclamation point? Cut some.

## Core Rules (Summary)

| Rule | Key Point |
|------|-----------|
| Banned Vocabulary | Avoid AI-overrepresented words (delve, leverage, robust, seamless, etc.) |
| Em-Dash Discipline | Max 1 per paragraph, 2 per page |
| Banned Phrases | No "In today's...", "Whether you're...", "In conclusion..." |
| Punctuation | Sparingly use semicolons, max 1 exclamation per page |
| Sentence Variety | Mix short and long, vary paragraph length |
| Specificity | Concrete details over vague benefits |
| Headers | Short, scannable, no colons |
| Tone | Direct, confident, personal ("we" and "you") |
| Filler | Cut "very", "really", "in order to", etc. |

## Reference

For complete lists of banned words, replacement suggestions, and before/after examples, see:
- `references/writing-rules.md` — Full vocabulary lists, punctuation rules, and examples