Rulebook
Each rule is a habit that model writing and people's writing show at different rates. Most point toward a model, a few point the other way, and none decides anything alone. The meter weighs the 36 it can measure together with 140 measures of rhythm and word choice, using weights learned from data.
Words and set phrases.
8 rules
r-001
Catches words that machine text over-uses relative to human prose (delve, tapestry, pivotal, intricate, multifaceted, foster, bolster, garner, leverage, seamless, robust, nuanced, meticulous, embark, underscore, showcase).
Fix: use the plain word, or cut it; most of these carry no meaning in context.
r-002
Catches fancy substitutes for "is" and "has" ("serves as", "stands as", "acts as", "boasts", "features a").
Fix: write "is" or "has".
r-003
Catches phrases that announce content instead of stating it ("it's important to note", "it is worth noting", "in today's fast-paced world", "when it comes to", "at the end of the day").
Fix: delete the phrase and start at the point.
r-004
Catches assistant openers and sign-offs left in the text ("Certainly!", "Great question", "I hope this helps", "let me know if", "feel free to").
Fix: delete them.
r-005
Catches brochure words (breathtaking, stunning, nestled, vibrant, renowned, world-class, unparalleled, cutting-edge, must-visit).
Fix: replace with a concrete detail, or drop the adjective.
r-006
Catches figurative nouns doing no work (tapestry, landscape, realm, journey, symphony, beacon, cornerstone, testament, mosaic, fabric).
Fix: name the actual thing.
r-007
Catches formal connectives at sentence starts (Moreover, Furthermore, Additionally, Consequently, Notably, Importantly, Ultimately).
Fix: drop the connective; if the logic needs it, use "and", "but", "so".
r-008
Catches model hedges about its own knowledge ("as of my last update", "while specific details are limited", "I don't have access to").
Fix: delete, and either find the fact or leave it out.
Dashes, colons, quote marks and formatting.
7 rules
r-009
Catches em dashes (or spaced double hyphens) per sentence well above human baseline.
Fix: use a comma, a period, or parentheses; keep at most one dash per paragraph.
r-010
Catches mid-sentence colons that set up a reveal ("The answer is simple: consistency.").
Fix: make it two sentences or state it directly.
r-011
Catches list items that start with a bolded label and a colon ("**Speed:** ...").
Fix: write sentences, or a plain list without labels.
r-012
Catches short heading lines with Every Major Word Capitalized.
Fix: sentence case.
r-013
Catches emoji used as bullets or section decoration (🚀 ✨ 💡 ✅ 👉).
Fix: remove them.
r-015
Catches typographic curly quotes and apostrophes in contexts where people type straight ones.
Fix: none needed for meaning; this is a provenance signal, not a style error.
r-016
Catches share of lines that are bullets or numbered items.
Fix: fold short lists back into sentences.
Rates and ratios taken over the whole paragraph.
7 rules
r-017
Catches low variance in sentence length (low burstiness); human prose mixes very short and very long sentences.
Fix: vary the rhythm; let one sentence run, cut another to three words.
r-018
Catches -ly adverbs per 100 words above baseline.
Fix: pick a stronger verb or delete the adverb.
r-019
Catches share of sentences with a be-verb plus past participle.
Fix: name who did it.
r-020
Catches two or more hedges in one sentence (may, might, could, potentially, arguably, generally, often, typically, somewhat).
Fix: commit to the claim, or say exactly what is uncertain.
r-021
Catches triads shaped "X, Y, and Z" per sentence above baseline.
Fix: keep the one or two items that matter.
r-022
Catches moving type-token ratio unusually high for the length (words rarely repeat, a side effect of synonym cycling).
Fix: repeat the right word instead of rotating synonyms.
r-023
Catches share of words with 10+ letters.
Fix: prefer the short word when it says the same thing.
How sentences are built and strung together.
8 rules
r-014
Catches sentence pairs in a "not just X, it's Y" shape ("It's not just a tool, it's a movement", "not only ... but also").
Fix: state the point directly.
r-024
Catches paragraphs that open by summarizing ("In summary", "Overall", "In conclusion", "As mentioned", "To sum up").
Fix: cut the recap; start with the new point.
r-025
Catches runs of very short verbless fragments ("No fluff. No filler. Just results.").
Fix: join them into one sentence that says the thing.
r-026
Catches a "from X to Y" phrase where X and Y are not ends of a scale ("from ancient rituals to modern cuisine").
Fix: list the specific things, or pick one.
r-027
Catches paragraph starts with a pointer to nothing ("This", "These", "Here's the thing", "That's why", "The result?").
Fix: name the subject.
r-028
Catches sentences ending in ", highlighting/underscoring/reflecting/showcasing/emphasizing ..." analysis tails.
Fix: delete the tail, or make its claim a sentence with evidence.
r-029
Catches a short rhetorical question answered immediately ("The result? ...", "Why does this matter? Because ...").
Fix: state the answer.
r-030
Catches many sentences in a paragraph starting with the same word.
Fix: vary the subject or merge sentences.
What the text claims, and what it leaves out.
8 rules
r-031
Catches claims of importance with no specifics ("plays a pivotal role", "stands as a testament", "marks a significant shift", "enduring legacy").
Fix: say what happened and let the reader judge.
r-032
Catches unnamed authorities ("experts say", "studies show", "critics argue", "observers have noted", "it is widely believed").
Fix: name the source, or drop the claim.
r-033
Catches formulaic "despite its challenges ... continues to thrive" framing.
Fix: describe the specific problem and its specific outcome.
r-034
Catches no first person, no contractions, no opinion markers, across a paragraph long enough to expect them.
Fix: say what you think and why; write the way you talk.
r-035
Catches closing lines about a bright future or exciting possibilities ("the future looks bright", "exciting times ahead", "the possibilities are endless").
Fix: end on the last concrete point.
r-036
Catches the same referent renamed each sentence (the city, the metropolis, the urban center).
Fix: pick one name and repeat it.
Not measured yet. It's in the book, but this version has no detector for it.
r-037
Catches an even, polite, mid-formal tone with no shifts, jokes, or asides.
Fix: let the register move with the content.
Not measured yet. It's in the book, but this version has no detector for it.
r-038
Catches closing balance that avoids a position ("ultimately, it depends", "there is no one-size-fits-all", "both have their merits").
Fix: take a position, or say what it depends on.