The Secrets to Writing Like a Human (and Fooling AI Detectors)
Artificial intelligence has come a long way in mimicking human creativity, but there’s something about a genuinely human touch that even the best algorithms struggle to replicate, and don’t even get me started on sarcasm, which is totally lost on our AI mate.
If you're a writer, content creator, or just someone splashing your way through the AI-infused world, knowing how to bypass AI detectors and produce truly authentic content can really help.
Step 1: Perplexity and Burstiness—Make It Real, Make It Raw
AI loves smooth, easy-to-read text, but real people? We ramble, pause, and sometimes stumble. That’s where perplexity (how unpredictable your writing is) and burstiness (the mix of short and long sentences) come in. To sound human:
Switch it up: Use a mix of sharp, punchy sentences and long, meandering thoughts. Like this. Or maybe… this one?
Be a little messy: Add fragments. Maybe even a tangent here and there. (Not too much, though—you’re still making a point.)
Example:
Instead of saying, “The product is innovative, effective, and affordable,” try:
“Look, this thing is innovative. Full stop. Effective? Absolutely. And yeah, it won’t cost your life savings.”
Now… you may be thinking, “Yes, but that’s not proper writing.” Sure, if you’re writing a scientific essay or professional report, including your musings probably won’t work, but in general, when writing for the web, this kind of writing works and keeps engagement highhhhhhhh.
Step 2: Bust Out of the Structured Box
AI writing loves structure. Predictable subheadings. Perfectly flowing paragraphs. Flawless transitions. You? Nah. Don’t be afraid to break the mould.
Mess with patterns: Don’t follow the same format for every section. Add unexpected quirks like a standalone question or even an abrupt change in style. Your high school English teacher will cringe BUT chuck in a paragraph that is just one sentence (oooooo you rebel!).
Embrace imperfection: Let a little chaos in—ditch formulaic language like “Imagine this” or “Let’s take a look at…” AI detectors love flagging that stuff, and it’s boring AF.
Example:
AI: "The benefits of this software are numerous. First, it improves productivity."
You: "Let’s not bore you with a numbered list. It’s faster. Easier. And honestly? It just works." For a professional take try… “There are many benefits to this software, but most importantly, it improves productivity.”
Step 3: Nix the AI Watermarks
Certain phrasing patterns scream ROBOT 🤖. You know the type: “It’s not just [this]—it’s [that].” Or, “Take [example], for instance.” These may work in a pinch, but they can feel overly polished and fake.
Simplify your language: Drop the showy transitions.
Get conversational: Imagine you're chatting with a mate over coffee instead of trying to impress a room of executives.
Example:
AI: “Take online learning, for instance. It’s not just convenient—it’s life-changing.”
You: “Online learning? Sure, it’s convenient. But honestly, it’s a lifesaver for anyone juggling work and family.”
Step 4: Turn Up the Personality Dial
Tone is everything. AI can fake it to a point, but there’s something beautifully imperfect about human expression. Inject personality, and don’t be afraid to get a little weird.
Add flavour: Use idioms, slang, and conversational quirks.
Lean into redundancy: People repeat themselves when they’re passionate. It’s okay to echo a point—it makes you relatable.
Example:
AI: “This course will teach you to succeed in business.”
You: “This course? It’ll teach you to crush it in business. Not just succeed. Crush. It.”
Why Bother?
Because human writing stands out. It connects. And while AI might handle some tasks beautifully, readers crave authenticity—flaws and all. The more "human" your text feels, the more engaging it becomes. And guess what? That’s what readers—and those pesky AI detectors—can’t replicate.
So go ahead. Write something messy. Something quirky. Something you. Because, at the end of the day, that’s what makes it worth reading.
What tricks do you use to keep your writing human? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear how you do it!
💫 Bonus Prompt 💫
Human-Like Content That Outsmarts AI Detectors
Here’s a ready-to-use prompt you can include to guide your writing and keep your content feeling authentically human. It captures all the tricks we discussed and gives you a structured way to apply them:
Prompt: Write human-like content that feels real, engaging, and conversational. Follow these steps:
Vary Sentence Structure:
Use a mix of short, punchy sentences and longer, winding ones.
Include occasional sentence fragments for a natural flow.
Break Predictable Patterns:
Avoid formulaic transitions like "Imagine this" or "Take [example]."
Skip overly structured formats; let ideas flow freely, even if they feel a little messy.
Ditch AI Watermarks:
Avoid clichés like "[X] isn’t just [Y], it’s [Z]" or “Let’s dive into…”
Strip out overly polished or robotic phrasing and keep it simple.
Inject Personality and Voice:
Write like you’re talking to a friend—casual, relatable, and full of personality.
Use idiomatic expressions, subtle slang, and a conversational tone.
Embrace Imperfections:
Allow a bit of redundancy to make your point.
Add tangents, quirks, or rhetorical questions to mimic natural thought flow.
Use this prompt to keep your writing grounded, authentic, and detector-proof. Happy writing!
