Strip 'it's not X, it's Y' before you post

A Humanizer skill targets common AI fingerprints: overused em dashes, choppy three-word fragments, self-answered rhetorical questions, and the contrast line 'it's not X, it's Y.' Run that pass before a human edit. The tool used here is Claude. Pricing listed for Claude: Free; Pro $20/mo. Check the tool's own site for current features and prices, since they change.

Done with CClaude

"The “it’s not X, it’s Y” thing it can’t stop doing."conorboyland.substack.com

How do you do it, step by step?

A Humanizer skill targets common AI fingerprints: overused em dashes, choppy three-word fragments, self-answered rhetorical questions, and the contrast line 'it's not X, it's Y.' Run that pass before a human edit.
Copy the prompt on this page into Claude 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?

Claude. See all Claude use cases or more in Editing.

What does it cost?

Free; Pro $20/mo

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 Claude?

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:
Scan this draft for AI fingerprint patterns: heavy em dashes used as drama, choppy three-word fragments, rhetorical questions that answer themselves, and 'it's not X, it's Y' contrasts. Quote each one and offer a plainer rewrite in my voice. Leave clean sentences 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:
Follow the counts and format given in the task. Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM], numbered if there is more than one item.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I strip 'it's not X, it's Y' before you post?

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

This use case uses Claude. Pricing listed for it: Free; Pro $20/mo. Check claude.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: Scan this draft for AI fingerprint patterns: heavy em dashes used as drama, choppy three-word fragments, rhetorical questions that answer themselves, and 'it's not X, it's Y' contrasts. Quote each one and offer a plainer rewrite in my voice. Leave clean sentences 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: Follow the counts and format given in the task. Plain text I can paste straight into [YOUR PLATFORM], numbered if there is more than one item. 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)
Read the draft out loud before you publish (Hemingway Editor Plus)
Ban the AI sentence pattern your language overuses (Claude)
When it sounds robotic, fix the brief (Claude)
Don't let AI pick what you write about (Claude)
Lock the outline before you draft a word (Claude)

Where does this come from?

Checked Oct 16, 2026.

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Last updated Oct 16, 2026