sneak/prompts
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests 1 Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

add unnecessary elaboration tell and checklist item 16
All checks were successful
check / check (push) Successful in 5s
Details

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
user
2026-03-04 14:37:24 -08:00
parent 45b379011d
commit 3fcc1750ff
1 changed files with 30 additions and 11 deletions
Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

41
prompts/LLM_PROSE_TELLS.md
View File

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
All of these show up in human writing occasionally. No single one is conclusive All of these show up in human writing occasionally. No single one is conclusive
on its own. The difference is concentration. A person might lean on one or two on its own. The difference is concentration. A person might lean on one or two
of these habits across an entire essay, but LLM output will use fifteen of them of these habits across an entire essay, but LLM output will use fifteen of them
per paragraph, consistently, throughout the entire piece. per paragraph.
--- ---
@@ -120,6 +120,21 @@ The first clause already makes the point. The contrasting clause restates it
from the other direction. If you delete the "whereas" clause and the sentence from the other direction. If you delete the "whereas" clause and the sentence
still says everything it needs to, the contrast was filler. still says everything it needs to, the contrast was filler.
### Unnecessary Elaboration
Models keep going after the sentence has already made its point, tacking on
clarifying phrases, adverbial modifiers, or restatements that add nothing.
> "A person might lean on one or two of these habits across an entire essay, but
> LLM output will use fifteen of them per paragraph, consistently, throughout
> the entire piece."
This sentence could end at "paragraph." The words after it just repeat what "per
paragraph" already means. Models do this because they're optimizing for clarity
at the expense of concision, and because their training rewards thoroughness.
The result is prose that feels padded. If you can cut the last third of a
sentence without losing any meaning, the last third shouldn't be there.
### The Question-Then-Answer ### The Question-Then-Answer
> "So what does this mean for the average user? It means everything." > "So what does this mean for the average user? It means everything."
@@ -389,50 +404,54 @@ passes, because fixing one pattern often introduces another.
delete it or expand it into a complete sentence that adds actual delete it or expand it into a complete sentence that adds actual
information. information.
16. Find every pivot paragraph ("But here's where it gets interesting." and 16. Check for unnecessary elaboration at the end of sentences. Read the last
clause or phrase of each sentence and ask whether the sentence would lose
any meaning without it. If not, cut it.
17. Find every pivot paragraph ("But here's where it gets interesting." and
similar) and delete it. The paragraph after it always contains the actual similar) and delete it. The paragraph after it always contains the actual
point. point.
### Pass 3: Paragraph and Section-Level Review ### Pass 3: Paragraph and Section-Level Review
17. Check paragraph lengths across the piece and verify they actually vary. If 18. Check paragraph lengths across the piece and verify they actually vary. If
most paragraphs have between three and five sentences, rewrite some to be most paragraphs have between three and five sentences, rewrite some to be
one or two sentences and let others run to six or seven. one or two sentences and let others run to six or seven.
18. Check section lengths for suspicious uniformity. If every section is roughly 19. Check section lengths for suspicious uniformity. If every section is roughly
the same word count, combine some shorter ones or split a longer one the same word count, combine some shorter ones or split a longer one
unevenly. unevenly.
19. Check the first word of every paragraph for chains of connectors ("However," 20. Check the first word of every paragraph for chains of connectors ("However,"
"Furthermore," "Moreover," "Additionally," "That said"). If more than two "Furthermore," "Moreover," "Additionally," "That said"). If more than two
transition words start consecutive paragraphs, rewrite those openings to transition words start consecutive paragraphs, rewrite those openings to
start with their subject. start with their subject.
20. Check whether every argument is followed by a concession or qualifier. If 21. Check whether every argument is followed by a concession or qualifier. If
the piece both-sides every point, pick a side on at least some of them and the piece both-sides every point, pick a side on at least some of them and
cut the hedging. cut the hedging.
21. Read the first paragraph and ask whether deleting it would improve the 22. Read the first paragraph and ask whether deleting it would improve the
piece. If it's scene-setting that previews the argument, delete it and start piece. If it's scene-setting that previews the argument, delete it and start
with paragraph two. with paragraph two.
22. Read the last paragraph and check whether it restates the thesis or uses a 23. Read the last paragraph and check whether it restates the thesis or uses a
phrase like "at the end of the day" or "moving forward." If so, either phrase like "at the end of the day" or "moving forward." If so, either
delete it or rewrite it to say something the piece hasn't said yet. delete it or rewrite it to say something the piece hasn't said yet.
### Pass 4: Overall Texture ### Pass 4: Overall Texture
23. Read the piece aloud and listen for passages that sound too smooth, too 24. Read the piece aloud and listen for passages that sound too smooth, too
even, or too predictable. Human prose has rough patches. If there aren't even, or too predictable. Human prose has rough patches. If there aren't
any, the piece still reads as machine output. any, the piece still reads as machine output.
24. Check that the piece contains at least a few constructions that feel 25. Check that the piece contains at least a few constructions that feel
idiosyncratic: a sentence with unusual word order, a parenthetical that goes idiosyncratic: a sentence with unusual word order, a parenthetical that goes
on a bit long, an aside only loosely connected to the main point, a word on a bit long, an aside only loosely connected to the main point, a word
choice that's specific and unexpected. If every sentence is clean and choice that's specific and unexpected. If every sentence is clean and
correct and unremarkable, it will still read as generated. correct and unremarkable, it will still read as generated.
25. Verify that you haven't introduced new patterns while fixing the original 26. Verify that you haven't introduced new patterns while fixing the original
ones. This happens constantly. Run the entire checklist again from the top ones. This happens constantly. Run the entire checklist again from the top
on the revised version. on the revised version.