Writing and Editing Assistance

ChatGPT is not just a writer; it is a world-class Editor. Using it solely to "write" often leads to generic, "AI-sounding" text. Using it to edit your own writing produces the best results.

1. The Three Levels of Editing

Level 1: Proofreading (The Basics)

"Fix the spelling, punctuation, and grammar in this text. Change as little as possible."

Level 2: Copy Editing (The Flow)

"Improve the flow and clarity of this text. Make it more concise and remove passive voice."

Level 3: Developmental Editing (The Substance)

"Critique this argument. Where is it weak? What evidence is missing? What are three counter-arguments a reader might have?"

graph LR
    Draft[Raw Draft] --> Peer[Peer Review]
    Draft --> AI[AI Copy Edit]
    AI --> Final[Polished Text]

2. Avoiding "AI Voice"

AI often uses words like "Delve," "Enchanting," or "In conclusion."

• The Fix: "Rewrite this text to sound more like a human wrote it. Use simple language, varied sentence lengths, and avoid clichés."

3. Style Transformation

Need to turn a dry report into a blog post?

"Convert the key findings of this technical report into an engaging LinkedIn post for a non-technical audience. Use a 'Hook, Body, CTA' structure."

4. Paraphrasing and Summarization

• Shorten: "Reduce this paragraph to one punchy sentence."
• Explain: "Explain this complex paragraph as if I am 10 years old."

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Hands-on: The "Red Pen" Test

1. Take a paragraph you've written recently.
2. Ask ChatGPT: "Act as a ruthless developmental editor. Critique this paragraph and tell me why it's boring, what's missing, and how to make it 2x more engaging."

Don't take the critique personally—use it to rewrite and improve!

Key Takeaways

• Use AI as an Editor, not just a Author.
• Specific critiques lead to better improvements than generic "Make this better" prompts.
• Consciously avoid common AI adjectives to maintain your unique voice.