ai-check

Skill Instructions

# AI Tell Detection - Checklist Only

This skill identifies common linguistic patterns that signal AI-generated writing—what the industry calls "AI tells"—and provides a sequential checklist for manual editing in Google Docs.

## How It Works

**Input:** Any written content (articles, emails, social posts, documents)

**Output:** Sequential checklist only—flagged patterns in document order with quick fixes

**Important:** This skill analyzes text for AI patterns. It does NOT generate content or rewrite your copy. You implement the fixes manually in Google Docs.

## Auto-Trigger

This skill automatically activates when you:
- Generate new written content
- Edit or revise existing copy
- Ask for writing review or polish
- Request style improvements

No need to explicitly invoke it—it runs automatically to ensure Every content is free of AI tells.

## Core Detection & Removal Categories

### 1. Lexical/Framing (Openers)

**Patterns to remove:**
- "In today's fast-paced world"
- "In the ever-evolving landscape of [X]"
- "In the realm of [X]"
- "In a world where..." / "In an era where..."
- "With the rise of..."
- "As [trend] continues to..."
- "Let's dive in" / "Let's break it down" / "Let's delve into"
- "At its core, [X] is [Y]"
- "It is important/worth noting that [X]"
- "Join us as we..."

**Fix:** Start with concrete fact, date, scene, or proper noun. Drop generic frames.

### 2. Lexical/Word Choice (AI-Scent Vocabulary)

**High-priority removals:**
- delve/delved/delving (most notorious AI tell)
- tapestry (used metaphorically)
- reimagined
- deep dive (into)
- leverage, utilize, harness, unlock, unleash, empower
- navigate (the complexities/landscape)
- pivotal, crucial, vital, significant, noteworthy
- groundbreaking, cutting-edge, revolutionary, transformative
- explore the intricacies of
- robust (frameworks, systems, solutions)
- nuanced/multifaceted
- seamless (integration, experience)
- comprehensive/meticulous
- vibrant/intricate
- bespoke
- foster (community, innovation, growth)
- underscore/illuminate
- endeavor (instead of "try")
- embark (on a journey)
- elevate/amplify/optimize
- spearhead/revolutionize

**Filler words to remove:**
- just (when used as emphasis, not temporal)
- actually (when used as emphasis, not contradictory)

**Unnecessary formality to simplify:**
- utilize → use
- plethora/myriad → many
- commence → start
- facilitate → help
- optimal → best
- prior to → before
- subsequently → then
- whilst/amongst → while/among

**Fix:** Use plain verbs (use, try, test, make). Swap abstractions for specifics. Delete fillers.

### 3. Stock Templates

**Patterns to remove:**
- "When it comes to [X], [claim]"
- "The [adjective] world of [X]"
- "A comprehensive overview of [X]"
- "This begs the question: [X]"
- "The truth is, [X]"
- "Now more than ever, [X]"
- "Plays a vital/significant/crucial role"
- "Serves as a testament to [X]"
- "Stands as a testament to..."
- "Has emerged as a..."
- "Represents a significant milestone..."
- "It cannot be overstated..."
- "At the end of the day..."
- "One thing is clear..."
- "Moving forward..."
- "The bottom line is..."

**Fix:** Make concrete claims with numbers and named sources. Delete empty frames.

### 4. Exhausted Metaphors

**Patterns to remove:**
- "A tapestry of..."
- "A treasure trove of..."
- "A double-edged sword"
- "Tip of the iceberg"
- "Cornerstone of..."
- "Navigating uncharted waters"
- "Embark on a journey"
- "A beacon of hope/light"
- "Standing at a crossroads"
- "A catalyst for change"
- "Blueprint for success"
- "Symphony/mosaic/melting pot of..."

**Fix:** Replace with specific, concrete descriptions. Avoid metaphors unless fresh and necessary.

### 5. Sentence Structure Issues

**Correlative constructions (high priority):**
- "not X but Y" / "not X, but Y"
- "not just X, also Y" / "not just X, but also Y"
- "not because X, but because Y"
- "it's not about X, it's about Y"
- Any "not [phrase], [contrast phrase]" pattern
- Consecutive negative parallelisms

**Fix:** Rewrite using simple contrast: "Y, not X" or state Y directly.

**Formal transitions to soften:**
- moreover, furthermore, additionally (especially as paragraph starters)
- consequently, thus, hence, therefore, accordingly
- notably, significantly, essentially, ultimately
- indeed, subsequently
- not only...but also, whether...or

**Fix:** Use natural transitions (and, but, so, though, yet).

**Vague authority to strengthen:**
- "Studies show that [X]" (without citation)
- "Experts agree that [X]" (without names)
- "Research indicates [X]" (vague)
- "According to recent reports, [X]"

**Fix:** Name the study, link it, include dates and numbers—or delete the claim.

### 6. Bad Writing Patterns

**Staccato declarative triads:**
- Three short, punchy declarative sentences in a row with same structure
- Example: "Documents become templates. Macros scale intelligence. Knowledge propagates."

**Fix:** Expand at least one into full sentence with context. Break the pattern.

**"No X. No Y. Just Z" pattern:**
- Formulaic three-beat structure
- Example: "No meetings. No busywork. Just results."

**Fix:** Avoid entirely. State benefit directly.

**Short clipped phrase overuse:**
- Excessive fragments instead of complete sentences
- Example: "Faster iteration. Better outcomes. Real impact."

**Fix:** Use fragments intentionally and rarely. Expand some into full sentences.

**Dramatic reveal sentences:**
- "The critical finding alone justified the review"
- "[Small thing] that [disproportionate impact]" formula
- Building artificial suspense to obvious conclusions

**Fix:** State findings directly. Remove dramatic buildup.

**Transformation statements:**
- "The clarity I was afraid of losing came back, in a different form"
- Vague emotional/mental state claims

**Fix:** Be specific about what actually happened. Remove vague emotional claims.

### 7. Structure/Formatting

**Symmetry issues to break:**
- Every bullet starts with bold label followed by colon
- Overly symmetric paragraph lengths
- Uniform sentence length (15-25 words with minimal variation)

**Fix:** Break rhythm with aside, example, or contradiction. Vary paragraph and sentence length.

**Sentence pattern issues:**
- Repetitive sentence structures
- Overuse of rule of threes in consecutive sentences
- Participial phrase pattern overuse: "subject + verb + object, present participle + detail"

**Fix:** Mix sentence structures. Use rule of threes sparingly.

### 8. Tonal Markers

**Hedging phrases to remove:**
- "It's important to note that..."
- "Generally speaking..."
- "It can be argued that..."
- "In most instances..." / "In many cases..."
- "To some extent..."
- "While there are different perspectives..."
- "It depends on..."
- "Based on the information provided..."
- Uncertainty words: might, could, perhaps, generally, arguably, potentially, somewhat, often (when overused)

**Fix:** Make direct claims when warranted. Remove unnecessary hedging.

**False enthusiasm to delete:**
- "Absolutely!" (response opener)
- "Certainly!" / "Great question!" / "That's a fantastic point!"
- "I'd be happy to help with that!"
- "That's an interesting/exciting/fascinating topic!"
- "What a thoughtful question!"

**Fix:** Remove entirely. Start with substance.

**Perpetual balance to strengthen:**
- "Both sides present valid points..."
- "While X has merit, Y also deserves consideration"
- Excessive "however" to present counterpoints
- "There are pros and cons..."
- "Reasonable people may disagree"

**Fix:** Take a stance. Present one view strongly.

### 9. Corporate Buzzwords

**Patterns to remove:**
- synergy, paradigm shift, scalability, holistic approach
- pivot, agile, best practices
- pain points, value proposition, stakeholders, deliverables
- actionable insights, key takeaways, move the needle
- low-hanging fruit, circle back, touch base, end-to-end
- win-win, game changer, mission-critical, data-driven
- future-proof, disruptive, seamless integration, digital transformation

**Fix:** Use plain language. Be specific.

### 10. Conclusion Patterns

**Patterns to remove:**
- "In conclusion..." / "In summary..." / "To summarize..."
- Long conclusions that repeat earlier content
- Generic "one thing is clear" statements

**Fix:** Write forward-looking conclusion or end on strongest point. Keep conclusions short.

## Context-Sensitive Notes

Not every match is an AI tell. Consider:
- **Domain appropriateness:** "Leverage" is standard in finance/business
- **Intentional style:** Academic writing may use formal transitions
- **Ironic usage:** Playing with AI language deliberately
- **Temporal "just":** "I just arrived" (time) vs. "It's just amazing" (filler)
- **Contradictory "actually":** "Actually, that's wrong" (legit) vs. "It's actually quite good" (filler)

## Output Format

Provide a streamlined checklist showing only the problem and the fix:

```
SEQUENTIAL EDITING CHECKLIST:
(In document order)

□ Line 1-2: "In today's digital landscape"
  → Replace with specific claim or concrete fact

□ Line 5: "leverage cutting-edge solutions"
  → "use modern solutions" or specify what they do

□ Line 7: "delving into the nuanced capabilities"
  → "exploring" or "examining"

□ Line 9-10: "not just efficiency, but also innovation"
  → Make concrete - what specific efficiency? What innovation? Or rewrite as "innovation and efficiency"

□ Line 12: "It's worth noting that"
  → Delete entirely, start with actual point

□ Line 15: "Documents become templates. Macros scale intelligence."
  → Connect ideas with meaning or expand with specifics

□ Line 18-19: "navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving landscape"
  → Describe actual challenge specifically

□ Line 22: "In conclusion, one thing is clear"
  → End on strongest point or write forward-looking close
```

**What I Will Do:**
✅ Show line numbers, quoted problems, and fixes only
✅ Keep it minimal and actionable
✅ Present in document order

**What I Will NOT Do:**
❌ Show categories, severity levels, or confidence scores
❌ Rewrite your content
❌ Provide cleaned-up drafts

Raw SKILL.md