{"version":"2026-10-07","factors":[{"id":"negation_reframe","label":"Negation reframe","instructions":"Does the text set up a contrast with a throwaway clause before making its point, e.g. \"It's not X, it's Y\", \"Not just X, but Y\", \"This isn't about X. It's about Y\"?","criteria":{"true":"Uses the pattern for rhythm or emphasis, especially more than once","false":"No such pattern, or a single contrast where the distinction is the actual point"},"advice":"State the point directly. Drop the \"it's not X\" setup."},{"id":"reflexive_triplets","label":"Reflexive triplets","instructions":"Does the text habitually group things in threes (three adjectives, three parallel clauses, three-item lists) regardless of how many things there really are?","criteria":{"true":"Repeated triplets that feel like cadence, not content","false":"Lists vary in length or reflect the real number of items"},"advice":"Use as many items as there really are. Two or four is fine."},{"id":"grandiose_stakes","label":"Grandiose stakes","instructions":"Does the text inflate the significance of ordinary things, e.g. \"pave the way\", \"a testament to\", \"game-changer\", \"revolutionize\", \"reshape the future of\"?","criteria":{"true":"Claims of broad importance that the content doesn't support","false":"Significance is stated plainly or backed by specifics"},"advice":"Cut the inflated claim, or back it with a specific result."},{"id":"rhetorical_qa","label":"Rhetorical Q&A","instructions":"Does the text pose a question or fragment only to answer it immediately for dramatic effect, e.g. \"The catch? It's free.\", \"The result? A 40% speedup.\"?","criteria":{"true":"Uses this device, especially repeatedly","false":"Questions are genuine or absent"},"advice":"Turn the question and answer into one plain statement."},{"id":"canned_opening","label":"Canned opening","instructions":"Does the text open with a generic scene-setter about the era, the world, or the importance of the topic, e.g. \"In today's fast-paced digital landscape\", \"In an era where\", \"X has become increasingly important\"?","criteria":{"true":"The opening could be pasted onto any article on the topic","false":"The opening is specific to this piece"},"advice":"Start with the specific point, fact, or example."},{"id":"announced_conclusion","label":"Announced conclusion","instructions":"Does the text end by announcing that it is concluding and restating what it already said, e.g. \"In conclusion\", \"Ultimately\", \"In summary\", \"By embracing these strategies\"?","criteria":{"true":"The ending summarizes or moralizes instead of adding anything","false":"The ending is short, specific, or just stops"},"advice":"End on the last useful point. Cut the recap."},{"id":"buzzwords","label":"AI buzzwords","instructions":"Does the text lean on vocabulary common in AI-generated prose, such as delve, tapestry, leverage (as a verb), harness, unlock, seamless, robust, journey, landscape, elevate, realm, foster, crucial, pivotal?","criteria":{"true":"Several such words used where an ordinary word would do","false":"None, or used as precise technical terms"},"advice":"Swap each one for the plain word: use, help, improve, area."},{"id":"hollow_transitions","label":"Hollow transitions","instructions":"Does the text join sentences with filler transitions like moreover, furthermore, additionally, it's worth noting that, it's important to note, that said?","criteria":{"true":"Filler transitions appear repeatedly","false":"Sentences connect with plain words (and, but, so) or none"},"advice":"Delete the transition, or use and, but, or so."},{"id":"hype_adjectives","label":"Hype adjectives","instructions":"Does the text pile on enthusiastic intensifiers like incredibly, truly, remarkably, powerful, amazing, stunning, without concrete support?","criteria":{"true":"Enthusiasm is asserted rather than shown","false":"Tone is matter-of-fact, or praise is backed by specifics"},"advice":"Remove the intensifier, or show the evidence that earns it."},{"id":"vague_claims","label":"Vague claims","instructions":"Does the text make general claims without concrete names, numbers, examples, quotes, or first-hand detail?","criteria":{"true":"Mostly abstractions that could apply to anything","false":"Grounded in specific, checkable details"},"advice":"Add a name, number, example, or first-hand detail."},{"id":"hedging","label":"Excessive hedging","instructions":"Does the text pile on qualifiers that avoid committing to a position, e.g. \"can potentially\", \"may help to\", \"it could be argued\", \"in many cases\", \"generally speaking\"?","criteria":{"true":"Hedges stack up and blur what's actually being said","false":"Claims are direct, or uncertainty is stated once where it matters"},"advice":"Commit to the claim, or state the real uncertainty once."},{"id":"over_structuring","label":"Over-structuring","instructions":"Does the text impose heavy formatting (headings, bullet lists, bold labels, emoji bullets) on content that would read fine as a few paragraphs?","criteria":{"true":"Formatting outweighs the content it organizes","false":"Formatting is light or proportionate to the content"},"advice":"Merge into paragraphs. Keep lists for real lists."},{"id":"signposting","label":"Signposting","instructions":"Does the text narrate its own structure with phrases like \"Let's dive in\", \"Here's the thing\", \"Let's break it down\", \"Here's why that matters\"?","criteria":{"true":"Repeated announcements of what's coming next","false":"The text just proceeds"},"advice":"Delete the announcement and get to the content."},{"id":"chatbot_artifacts","label":"Chatbot artifacts","instructions":"Does the text contain residue from a chat assistant, e.g. \"I hope this helps\", \"Let me know if you'd like\", \"Great question!\", \"As an AI\", \"Certainly! Here's\", or praise directed at the reader?","criteria":{"true":"Any assistant-style framing addressed to a requester","false":"None"},"advice":"Delete the assistant framing."}]}