Read the draft out loud before you publish

The last writing check in that workflow is a rhythm pass: read the article aloud and rewrite anything that sounds stiff. If you wouldn't say it in a conversation, it doesn't belong in the post. The tool used here is Hemingway Editor Plus. Pricing listed for Hemingway Editor Plus: Free 2-week trial.

Done with HEHemingway Editor Plus

"If you wouldn’t say it in a conversation, don’t write it in an article."wonderingaboutai.substack.com

How do you do it, step by step?

The last writing check in that workflow is a rhythm pass: read the article aloud and rewrite anything that sounds stiff.
If you wouldn't say it in a conversation, it doesn't belong in the post.
Copy the prompt on this page into Hemingway Editor Plus and fill in your own details.
Edit the output in your own voice and check any facts before you publish.

Which tool does this use?

Hemingway Editor Plus. See all Hemingway Editor Plus use cases or more in Editing.

What does it cost?

Free 2-week trial

What should you watch out for?

Features and prices change. Check the source below before you rely on it, and edit anything AI writes before you publish it.

What prompt should you use with Hemingway Editor Plus?

Rebuild any prompt with the prompt helper

You are a careful line editor.

Context:
- I write for [WHO YOU WRITE FOR] on [YOUR PLATFORM].
- My voice: [YOUR VOICE]
- My goal: [YOUR GOAL]

Task:
I'm going to read this draft out loud. Mark every sentence that would sound stiff spoken to a friend, and suggest a shorter spoken version that keeps my meaning. Leave the rest alone.

Material to work from:
[PASTE YOUR TEXT HERE]

Constraints:
- Avoid [WHAT TO AVOID].
- Use only facts I give you. Don't invent stats, quotes, names or examples. Write [NEEDS DETAIL] wherever something is missing.
- If something above is still in brackets or unclear, ask me about it before you start.

Output format:
Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM]. If you give options, number them (3 at most) and add one line on why each might work.

Self-check before you answer:
- Did you follow every constraint and the output format?
- Does it sound like my voice and not generic AI writing? Cut filler openers and buzzwords.
- Is every claim backed by something I gave you, or marked [NEEDS DETAIL]?
Fix anything that fails, then give me the result.

Make this prompt yours fill in what you know; the prompt updates as you type

Anything left in [BRACKETS] is for you to fill in, or the AI will ask you. Nothing you type leaves your browser. Want to rebuild a prompt you found elsewhere? Use the prompt helper.

Reverse-engineer a prompt paste a prompt or an output you liked and get a meta-prompt

Your meta-prompt

Paste this into ChatGPT or Claude. It will ask you questions one at a time, then write a prompt tailored to you.

Open Hemingway Editor Plus ↗

Frequently asked questions

How do I read the draft out loud before you publish?

Which tool do I need for this, and what does it cost?

This use case uses Hemingway Editor Plus. Pricing listed for it: Free 2-week trial. Check hemingwayapp.com for current prices.

What prompt can I use?

You are a careful line editor. Context: - I write for [WHO YOU WRITE FOR] on [YOUR PLATFORM]. - My voice: [YOUR VOICE] - My goal: [YOUR GOAL] Task: I'm going to read this draft out loud. Mark every sentence that would sound stiff spoken to a friend, and suggest a shorter spoken version that keeps my meaning. Leave the rest alone. Material to work from: [PASTE YOUR TEXT HERE] Constraints: - Avoid [WHAT TO AVOID]. - Use only facts I give you. Don't invent stats, quotes, names or examples. Write [NEEDS DETAIL] wherever something is missing. - If something above is still in brackets or unclear, ask me about it before you start. Output format: Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM]. If you give options, number them (3 at most) and add one line on why each might work. Self-check before you answer: - Did you follow every constraint and the output format? - Does it sound like my voice and not generic AI writing? Cut filler openers and buzzwords. - Is every claim backed by something I gave you, or marked [NEEDS DETAIL]? Fix anything that fails, then give me the result.

What are related use cases?

Edit in three passes: fluff, personality, facts (Claude)
Strip 'it's not X, it's Y' before you post (Claude)
Ban the AI sentence pattern your language overuses (Claude)
When it sounds robotic, fix the brief (Claude)
Rewrite the first 100 words and every subheading yourself (Hemingway Editor Plus)
Edit a Medium story for readability (Hemingway Editor Plus)

Where does this come from?

Checked Oct 16, 2026.

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Last updated Oct 16, 2026