You hit ‘generate’ and hold your breath, hoping for magic. Instead, you get a wall of text that’s… fine. It’s grammatically correct, but it has all the personality of a toaster. The words are there, but the spark is missing.
If you’re tired of AI-generated content that sounds robotic, generic, and completely disconnected from your audience, you’re not alone. This is the biggest frustration for anyone trying to use AI for real-world writing. You’ve probably tried the usual tricks: adding “write in a friendly tone” or the vague command “act like a human.” But the results are still flat. The text lacks the stories, the humor, and the genuine empathy that makes people actually want to read what you have to say.
The secret isn’t a magic phrase. It’s about giving the AI a role to play, a scene to imagine, and a specific job to do. A human doesn’t just “write”; they write to someone, with a feeling, for a reason.
Whether you need to craft a witty email, explain a tough concept with a simple story, or write a conclusion that actually inspires action, these prompts give you the control you need. They are your toolkit for transforming robotic text into writing that feels authentic, engaging, and, well, human.
Simply copy the prompt that fits your goal, replace the text inside the [brackets] with your specific details, and paste it directly into your chat with the AI.
The “Master Prompt” Template:
Act as a
[Describe Persona/Role, e.g., a seasoned travel blogger, a skeptical tech analyst, a caring senior manager].Your audience is
[Describe Your Audience, e.g., budget-conscious students, C-suite executives, new parents].The goal of this text is to
[State Your Goal, e.g., persuade them to try a new product, explain a complex topic simply, reassure them during a difficult time].I need you to write a
[Content Format, e.g., blog post, email, social media update]about[Your Core Topic].Adopt the following tone and style:
- Tone:
[Choose 2-3 keywords, e.g., Witty, empathetic, formal, encouraging, sarcastic, urgent]- Style: Use contractions (like “you’re” and “it’s”). Write in the first person (“I,” “we”). Vary sentence length, mixing short, punchy sentences with longer, more descriptive ones. Ask occasional questions to the reader to keep them engaged.
Things to Avoid: Do not use overly complex jargon, generic cliches, or a robotic, overly formal tone. Avoid passive voice.
Injecting Personality & Tone
Humans have distinct voices. Use these prompts when the feeling of the text is just as important as the information.
1. The Friendly, Conversational Blog Post
You want to explain a topic without sounding like a textbook. The goal is connection and readability.
- Write a blog post about
[topic, e.g., the basics of sourdough baking]. Adopt a conversational and encouraging tone, as if you’re explaining it to a friend over coffee. Use “you” and “I” to create a direct connection. Start with a relatable hook and break down the steps into simple, easy-to-follow language. Use contractions and feel free to add a short, personal comment, like “This is the part where I always make a mess, but it’s worth it!”
2. The Witty and Sarcastic Internal Email
You need to communicate a new, slightly annoying company policy, and you want to use humor to build camaraderie with your team.
- Draft an email to my team about the new
[company policy, e.g., requirement to fill out TPS reports]. The tone should be slightly sarcastic and witty, acknowledging the absurdity of the new rule while still being professional. Use humor to soften the news and show you’re on their side. For example, you could start with something like, “Good news, everyone! We’ve found a new and exciting way to spend our Friday afternoons.”
3. The Empathetic Customer Service Response
You need to respond to an unhappy customer. A robotic, templated response will only make things worse. Empathy is key.
- A customer is frustrated because
[describe their problem, e.g., their delivery was late]. Write an email response that leads with empathy. Start by validating their feelings with a phrase like, “I can completely understand why you’re so frustrated.” Take personal ownership using “I” and “my team.” Clearly explain the next steps you are taking to fix the problem. Avoid corporate jargon like “we apologize for the inconvenience.” Instead, say “I am truly sorry this happened.”
Adding Depth & Authenticity
Human writing is rich with stories, sensory details, and analogies. Use these prompts to go beyond surface-level descriptions.
4. Illustrating a Point with a Personal Story
You’re giving a presentation or writing an article and want to make an abstract concept feel real and memorable.
- I’m writing about
[concept, e.g., the importance of perseverance]. To make this point, I want to include a short, personal anecdote about a time[briefly describe the experience, e.g., I was learning to code and wanted to give up]. Weave this story naturally into the text. The tone should be reflective and the key takeaway should be clear without explicitly stating “the moral of the story is…”.
5. Explaining a Complex Topic Simply
You need to break down a difficult idea without confusing your audience. Analogies are the perfect tool.
- Explain the complex idea of
[Complex Topic, e.g., how blockchain technology works]using simple, everyday analogies and relatable examples. Start with phrases like, “Think of it like this…” or “It’s a bit like trying to[Relatable Action]…”. The goal is to make the concept instantly understandable to someone with no prior knowledge.
6. Writing to Inspire a Specific Feeling
You want your writing to have a specific emotional impact on the reader, making them feel something deeply.
- Write about
[Your Topic, e.g., rediscovering an old hobby]with the primary goal of making the reader feel[Specific Emotion, e.g., hopeful, nostalgic, or understood]. Use vivid, sensory language and emotionally charged words to build this atmosphere. Focus on showing the emotion through descriptions and storytelling, rather than just stating it.
Crafting a Compelling Structure
A human writer guides the reader on a journey. Use these prompts to ensure your content has a powerful beginning, middle, and end.
7. The ‘Hook and Hold’ Opener
You have seconds to grab a reader’s attention. This prompt ensures you start strong instead of with a boring introduction.
- I need to write an introduction about
[Your Topic]for an audience of[Target Audience]. Start the article with a powerful hook. It could be a surprising statistic, a bold counter-intuitive statement, or a direct question that addresses a major pain point like[Reader's Pain Point]. Immediately follow the hook by showing empathy for the reader’s problem.
8. The Engaging Conclusion
A great conclusion doesn’t just summarize; it inspires action and invites the reader to be part of the conversation.
- Write a conclusion for my text about
[Your Topic]. Instead of just summarizing, end with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question. Directly ask the reader to share their own experiences or reflect on the topic. Frame it personally, like: “Now I’m curious, what are your thoughts on this?” or “What’s one step you can take this week?”
Editing and Refining Like a Human
Human writers revise their work to improve its flow and impact. You can ask ChatGPT to act as your editor.
9. Making Clunky Text Sound Natural
You have a draft that is grammatically correct but sounds stiff and robotic.
- Please review the following text. Act as an editor whose only goal is to make it sound more natural and conversational. Apply the “read-aloud test”: if a sentence is hard to say or sounds unnatural, rewrite it. Vary sentence lengths, replace complex words with simpler alternatives, and add contractions where appropriate.
[Paste your text here]
10. Cutting the Fluff and Getting to the Point
Your text is too long and filled with corporate jargon or academic fluff. You need it to be clear, direct, and impactful.
- Act as a ruthless editor. My goal is maximum clarity and impact. Review the text below and cut every single filler word, redundant phrase, and piece of jargon. Shorten long sentences and simplify complex ideas. Don’t be afraid to completely restructure it if needed.
[Paste your text here]
