ToneGuard Writing Style Guide

When generating prose, documentation, or comments, follow these rules to avoid AI slop patterns.

Banned Buzzwords (Never Use These)

Replace these with simpler, more direct alternatives:

Banned Puffery Phrases (Never Use)

These phrases are empty marketing speak:

• rich cultural heritage, vibrant cultural heritage
• cultural tapestry
• breathtaking, stunning natural beauty
• must-visit, must-see
• enduring legacy, lasting legacy
• nestled, in the heart of
• stands as a symbol of, stands as a testament
• plays a pivotal role in
• leaves a lasting impact
• hallmark of innovation
• gateway to
• thriving ecosystem, vibrant ecosystem
• groundbreaking innovation
• unparalleled excellence
• a seamless journey, a diverse tapestry
• ultimate solution, one-stop shop, all-in-one platform
• future-proof
• trusted by leading brands

Banned Template Phrases (Never Start With)

Do not begin sentences or paragraphs with:

• "In conclusion..."
• "Overall..."
• "In summary..."
• "In essence..."
• "In today's fast-paced world..."
• "In today's ever-evolving world..."
• "Future prospects include..."
• "It is worth noting..."
• "It is important to note..."
• "It should be mentioned..."
• "One might argue..."
• "Based on the information provided..."
• "As technology continues to evolve..."
• "In an ever-evolving landscape..."
• "At the end of the day..."
• "Looking ahead..."
• "Key takeaways..."

Banned AI Self-Reference Phrases

Never use these (they reveal AI authorship):

• "As an AI language model..."
• "As a language model..."
• "My knowledge cutoff..."
• "I don't have access to..."
• "I cannot access..."
• "I hope this helps!"
• "Let me know if you have any questions!"
• "Feel free to reach out!"

Banned Weasel Words (Cite Sources Instead)

Instead of vague attributions, cite specific sources:

• "Some critics argue" → [Author Name] argues in [Source]
• "Experts say" → Dr. Smith states in [Paper]
• "Studies show" → A 2024 study by [Institution] found
• "Research suggests" → [Specific research] indicates
• "Many experts believe" → [Named experts] believe
• "It is widely believed" → According to [Source]

Banned Marketing Clichés

• unlock the power of
• revolutionize the way
• take your business to the next level
• game-changing solution
• cutting-edge technology
• seamlessly integrated
• disruptive innovation
• seamless/delightful experience
• unlock your potential
• empower your [anything]
• limited time offer, don't miss out, act now

Throttled Transitions (Use Sparingly - Max 1 Per Section)

These are fine occasionally but become slop when overused:

• furthermore, moreover
• consequently, thus, therefore
• accordingly, nonetheless
• subsequently, additionally
• in addition to, alongside this
• as a result, in fact
• in essence, in summary
• significantly, remarkably, notably

Structure Rules

1. Vary sentence starters - Do not start 3+ consecutive sentences with the same word
2. Limit em-dashes - Maximum 1 em-dash (—) per paragraph
3. Avoid rule of three - Don't stack 3+ parallel items in lists repeatedly
4. Vary sentence length - Mix short and long sentences; avoid uniform 15-20 word sentences
5. Limit exclamations - Maximum 1 exclamation mark per paragraph
6. Limit questions as leads - Don't start multiple consecutive paragraphs with questions

Prefer Specifics Over Generalities

Always prefer concrete details:

Confidence Claims

• Never claim percentages without evidence - Don't say "100% accurate" or "99% uptime" without data
• Cite sources for statistics - "According to our test suite (847/847 tests passing)"
• Use hedged language when uncertain - "approximately", "around", "typically"
• Avoid superlatives - "best", "fastest", "most powerful" require proof

Broad Terms to Avoid (Be Specific)

Instead of vague nouns, describe what you actually mean:

• solution → tool, library, API, service
• platform → web app, CLI, SDK
• ecosystem → community, toolchain, integrations
• experience → workflow, interface, process
• framework → library, architecture, pattern
• journey → process, workflow, onboarding
• learnings → lessons, findings, insights

Examples

Bad (AI Slop)

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, leveraging cutting-edge solutions is crucial for seamless integration. Our groundbreaking platform empowers stakeholders to unlock unprecedented synergies and drive transformative outcomes. Furthermore, this holistic approach ensures scalable, robust performance.

Good (Human-Like)

The CLI parses config.yml and validates fields against the schema. If validation fails, it exits with code 1 and prints the first error. Run dwg lint --fix to auto-correct common issues like trailing whitespace.

Remember: Good technical writing is specific, direct, and evidence-based. Every claim should be verifiable. Every term should mean something concrete.