From senior leaders to creative directors, everyone writes. For some, it’s a passion. For most, it’s a chore. Whether you’re drafting corporate comms, job posts, creative copy, or content of any kind, AI can help. But without care for quality, it can just as easily hurt.
Users often miss the tells, but readers know them all too well. And whether they realize why or not, they regularly dismiss AI-generated messages simply because it sounds like AI wrote it. The answer isn’t to avoid the technology entirely. It’s to implement AI properly and be mindful of your work.
Based on the insights in our AI Writing Guide, here are five signs to watch for when generating and elevating content with AI. Use these AI writing tellstropes to review your drafts, evaluate your team’s work, and ensure your communications read as human.
1) Mismatched Tone
An email shouldn’t read like a press release. If your voice doesn’t match your content format or usual tone, it’s a red flag. Don’t just look for overly formal writing or unusually conversational language. Look for both. Depending on the model and prompt, AI-generated content can vary. Refine your prompts and your AI-assisted content to make sure they meet your goals.
2) Overused Words
“Robust.” “Real.” “Unlock.” If you’ve seen the same buzzwords suddenly appearing in AI-assisted writing across formats, you’re not alone. AI writing assistants and tools like ChatGPT have a tendency to overuse certain terms and phrases. Direct yours not to do so. Review your work for commonly overused words that might have slipped through. And only use them as necessary.
3) AI Language Patterns
Great writing isn’t just the words you choose; it’s how you put them together. AI-generated sentences are often formulaic, similar in length, and predictable in structure. They can also lean into questionable style choices. Some of the most common include unnecessary em dashes, forced analogies, and unnatural phrasing. Prompt, edit, and refine to avoid repeating your AI’s bad habits.
4) Hallucinations
When asked for answers it doesn’t know, AI may invent its own and present them with confidence. You’ll see numbers with no sources, citations that lead nowhere, or “studies” that do not exist. These errors are rare in polished human drafts but common in unedited AI outputs. Check your facts, statistics, and sources to protect your credibility.
5) Lack of Originality
AI can summarize the internet, but it arguably can’t think for itself. It struggles to deliver a point of view of its own. And it often fails to be creative without heavy prompting and training. If you’re writing anything that merits a clear perspective, original insight, or clever phrasing, don’t overrely on AI tools. Combine them with human talent to create something truly different and set your work apart.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shame in using AI when you’re using it well. It can accelerate your process, but it can’t replace your judgment. Train your tools, but also train yourself and your team. With the right talent and technology, your AI-powered writing will both read like you and resonate with readers.
For more comprehensive AI writing tips, proven prompts, overused words, common tropes and more, read our AI Writing Guide.
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