A set of writing quality rules extracted from common patterns in AI-generated text. These are good writing rules that apply regardless of whether the text was AI-generated or human-written. The goal is better prose, not detection evasion.
Design boundary: This checklist improves writing quality. It is NOT a humanizer. We do not aim to fool AI detectors. We aim to produce clear, precise, varied academic prose.
Reference this checklist during the self-review step of drafting (draft_writer_agent Step 2.7, report_compiler_agent final check).
The following terms appear disproportionately in AI-generated text. They are not banned — but when you encounter one, ask: "Is this really the most precise word here, or am I defaulting to it?"
| Term | Why it's flagged | Better alternatives (context-dependent) |
|---|---|---|
| delve | Overused as "explore" substitute | examine, investigate, analyze, explore |
| tapestry | Cliché metaphor for complexity | network, interplay, system, landscape |
| landscape | Vague when not literal | field, domain, context, state of |
| pivotal | Inflation of importance | important, significant, central, key |
| crucial | Same as above | essential, necessary, critical, vital |
| foster | Vague verb | promote, develop, cultivate, encourage |
| showcase | Non-academic register | demonstrate, illustrate, present, reveal |
| testament | Cliché | evidence, indicator, demonstration |
| navigate | Vague when not literal | manage, address, handle, negotiate |
| leverage | Business jargon | use, employ, utilize, apply |
| realm | Archaic/poetic | domain, field, area, sphere |
| embark | Overwrought for "begin" | begin, initiate, undertake, start |
| underscore | Overused emphasis verb | emphasize, highlight, stress, reinforce |
| multifaceted | Vague complexity claim | complex, varied, diverse, multilayered |
| nuanced | Often vacuous | subtle, detailed, fine-grained, qualified |
| comprehensive | Often unjustified | thorough, extensive, broad, detailed |
| robust | Vague quality claim | reliable, strong, rigorous, resilient |
| intricate | Same problem as multifaceted | complex, detailed, elaborate, involved |
| cornerstone | Cliché metaphor | foundation, basis, core element, pillar |
| paradigm | Overused outside philosophy of science | framework, model, approach (exception: "paradigm shift" in philosophy of science is standard) |
| synergy | Business jargon | interaction, cooperation, combined effect |
| holistic | Vague without definition | comprehensive, integrated, whole-system |
| streamline | Non-academic | simplify, optimize, improve efficiency |
| cutting-edge | Cliché | recent, advanced, state-of-the-art, novel |
| groundbreaking | Inflation | novel, innovative, pioneering, original |
If a flagged term is standard terminology in the target discipline, it is exempt: - "paradigm shift" in philosophy of science → OK - "landscape" in ecology/geography (literal) → OK - "robust" in statistics ("robust estimator") → OK - "navigate" in wayfinding research (literal) → OK
Delete the following sentence starters. Cut to the point.
| Throat-clearing phrase | What to do |
|---|---|
| "In the realm of..." | Delete. Start with the actual subject |
| "It's important to note that..." | Delete. If it's important, the content speaks for itself |
| "It is worth mentioning that..." | Same as above |
| "In today's rapidly evolving..." | Delete. Timestamped clichés add no information |
| "This serves as a testament to..." | Replace with direct claim: "This demonstrates..." or just state the evidence |
| "It goes without saying that..." | If it goes without saying, don't say it |
| "In order to..." | Replace with "To..." |
| "It should be noted that..." | Delete. Just note it |
| "As a matter of fact..." | Delete. State the fact |
| "When it comes to..." | Replace with the subject directly: "X shows..." |
| "At the end of the day..." | Delete. Colloquial and vague |
| "With that being said..." | Delete or use "However" if a contrast is intended |
Also watch for sentences that describe what the paper is doing instead of doing it: - "This section will discuss..." → Just discuss it - "The following paragraph examines..." → Just examine it - "We now turn our attention to..." → Just turn to it
Exception: Roadmap sentences in the Introduction ("Section 2 reviews the literature; Section 3 describes the methodology") are standard academic practice and should be kept.
Good writing has natural variation in sentence length. Short sentences create impact. Longer sentences develop complex ideas. The alternation creates rhythm.
If 5+ consecutive sentences all fall within a narrow word-count range (e.g., all between 20-25 words): flag for review.
Apply rules while writing each section in the self-review sub-step (Step 2.7 in draft_writer_agent). This catches issues before they propagate.
If not applied during drafting, run a full-paper sweep before handoff to citation_compliance_agent.
For each rule category, track violations: - 0 violations: Clean - 1-3 violations: Minor — fix in self-review - 4+ violations: Pattern issue — review the section's writing approach
Do NOT report scores to the user. Just fix the issues silently during drafting.