Content Humanizer: 7 Principles + Scoring

Run after /content-scrubber. Load brand docs before applying if voice-matching a specific client.

5-Step Analysis First

Run in order before editing:

Humanity Check — Does it sound like a real person? Are there opinions, takes, personal observations?
Readability — Sentence length variation? Paragraph max 4 sentences?
Personality/Voice — Detectable POV? Tone matches brand?
Specificity/Examples — Claims backed by specific numbers, names, scenarios?
Engagement/Flow — Does the opening compel reading past line 3?

Robotic vs Human Signals

| Robotic Red Flags | Human Green Flags | |---|---| | "In today's fast-paced world..." | Opens with specific scenario or provocative claim | | "It's important to note that..." | Direct statement — just say the thing | | "Furthermore," / "Moreover," | "Also." / "Here's the thing." / "And." | | Lists of 10+ generic tips | 3-5 tips with real examples | | Every paragraph same length | Rhythm varies — one line paragraphs exist | | No opinions, just facts | "In my experience..." / "Most people get this wrong." | | Benefit-free CTAs ("Learn more") | Outcome-driven CTAs ("Get your first result in 24 hours") | | Generic examples ("a business owner") | Specific examples ("a 12-person SaaS team") |

7 Editing Principles

1. Show, Don't Tell

Before: "Our product is incredibly effective at boosting productivity." After: "Teams using this cut their weekly reporting time from 4 hours to 40 minutes — in week one."

2. Inject Personality

Add opinions, admits, and takes. Replace hedge-language with conviction. Before: "There are various approaches you might consider." After: "Most people try X first. It works, but it's slow. Here's the faster path."

3. Kill Corporate Speak

Ban: leverage, utilize, synergy, robust, holistic, seamless, cutting-edge, best-in-class, game-changing. Replace with plain Anglo-Saxon equivalents.

4. Add Specific Details

Every major point needs a specific anchor: a number, a name, a scenario, a timeframe.

Quality spectrum:

Vague: "Our customers see results."
Generic: "Customers report improved productivity."
Specific: "87% of customers report saving 5+ hours per week."
Compelling: "Sarah, a 3-person agency owner, cut her proposal time from 2 hours to 18 minutes."

5. Vary Sentence Structure

Short. Punchy. Then a longer one that builds context and earns the period. Then a question — why not? One-word sentences exist. So do fragments.

6. Use Conversational Devices

Direct reader address: "You already know this, but..."
Rhetorical questions: "Sound familiar?"
Admissions: "Here's what most guides won't tell you."
Callbacks: Reference something mentioned earlier.

7. Make Lists Actionable

Every bullet must complete a task or give a specific insight. No orphan bullets that just name a concept without explaining it.

Engagement Requirements

Hook types (one per article): Provocative claim, surprising stat, relatable pain point, counter-intuitive take, or specific scenario
Mini-stories: 2-3 per article minimum — named character, situation, outcome
CTA distribution: Soft CTA mid-article, hard CTA at close
Paragraph max: 4 sentences

Composite Score Formula

| Dimension | Weight | |---|---| | Humanity | 30% | | Specificity | 25% | | Structure balance | 20% | | SEO | 15% | | Readability | 10% |

Pass threshold: ≥ 70 composite score

(humanity × 0.30) + (specificity × 0.25) + (structure_balance × 0.20) + (seo × 0.15) + (readability × 0.10)

Self-Check Before Submitting

[ ] Would I stop scrolling to read this?
[ ] Can I identify whose voice this is?
[ ] Is every major claim supported by something specific?
[ ] Are there at least 2 moments where a human personality is visible?
[ ] Would this pass a "did a real person write this?" gut check?

Red Lines

No fabricated statistics
No false testimonials or invented names presented as real
Never strip accurate information to sound simpler

#content-sop #humanizing #voice