Structural Patterns to Avoid
The English examples below are constructed editorial examples. They show patterns that can make prose feel generic or padded; they are not claims about real people or places, or reliable tests of authorship. Revise only when doing so improves clarity, accuracy, or fit for the reader, and preserve the source's actors, quantities, and claims.
1. Participial -ing Tack-Ons
One pattern to review is a comma followed by an -ing phrase appended to a sentence to add commentary.
Formulaic example:
The team launched the product, revolutionizing the industry. The temple was built in 1850, symbolizing the community's enduring faith. As of 2008, the population stood at 56,998, creating a lively community.
More direct alternative:
The product launch revolutionized the industry. The temple was built in 1850 and symbolizes the community's enduring faith. As of 2008, the population was 56,998.
Rule: If the -ing clause adds no useful information, delete it. If it adds a supported claim or a clear result, state that information directly or give it a separate sentence. Do not infer a causal or social result from an adjacent statistic alone.
2. Formulaic Lists
A three-part list can feel formulaic when the items do not form a real group.
Formulaic example:
The conference features keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The design is bold, innovative, and timeless.
More direct alternative:
The conference includes keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The design is bold, innovative, and timeless.
Rule: Choose the number of items that fits the content. Do not change a useful list just to avoid three.
3. Stock Contrasts
"Not just X, but also Y" / "It's not X, it's Y" / "Not only X, but Y"
Formulaic example:
This is not just a memoir — it's a love letter to the city. The painting represents not merely an artistic achievement, but a cultural milestone.
More direct alternative:
It's a memoir and a love letter to the city. The painting is an artistic achievement and a cultural milestone.
Rule: State what something IS. Don't frame it as a correction of what someone might wrongly think.
4. False Ranges ("From X to Y")
Vague figurative spectrum using "from X to Y" where no real scale exists.
Formulaic example:
From intimate gatherings to global movements, the organization has made its mark. From beginners to experts, everyone can benefit. From the singularity of the Big Bang to the grand cosmic web...
More direct alternative:
The organization has made its mark in intimate gatherings and global movements. Everyone can benefit, whether they are beginners or experts.
Rule: Only use "from X to Y" when there's a real, identifiable midpoint on a real scale.
5. "Despite Its... Faces Challenges" Formula
The formulaic challenges-and-future-prospects ending.
Formulaic example:
Despite its industrial prosperity, Korattur faces challenges typical of urban areas, including... With its strategic location and ongoing initiatives, Korattur continues to thrive.
More direct alternative:
Korattur faces common urban challenges despite its industrial prosperity. It has a strategic location and ongoing initiatives, and continues to thrive.
Rule: If you mention problems, name specific ones with specific evidence. Never follow with vague optimism about "ongoing initiatives."
6. Copula Avoidance ("Serves As" / "Stands As")
Elaborate verb phrases can obscure a simple relationship expressed by "is/are/has."
Formulaic example:
Gallery 825 serves as LAAA's exhibition space for contemporary art. The gallery features four separate spaces. She holds the distinction of being the first female director.
More direct alternative:
Gallery 825 is LAAA's exhibition space. The gallery has four separate spaces. She was the first female director.
Rule: Use "is," "are," "has," "was." Simple copulas are not boring — they're clear.
7. Superficial Analysis Padding
Generic commentary attached to facts that need no commentary.
Formulaic example:
The city has a population of 56,998, creating a lively community within its borders. The inscriptions offer valuable insights into the construction of the mosque. These citations illustrate the enduring relevance of his work.
More direct alternative:
The city has a population of 56,998. The inscriptions describe the mosque's construction. His work keeps getting cited.
Rule: If the analytical statement could apply to literally any subject, it adds nothing. Delete it.
8. Elegant Variation (Synonym Cycling)
Synonym cycling can make a passage less clear when repeating the original term would be simpler.
Formulaic example:
The policy imposed artistic constraints. Non-conformist artists challenged those limits and norms.
More direct alternative:
The policy imposed artistic constraints. Non-conformist artists challenged those constraints.
Rule: Repeat words when clarity demands it. Don't cycle through "constraints / confines / norms / limitations" to avoid saying the same word twice.
9. Repeated Em Dashes
An em dash can become distracting when it replaces a comma, parenthesis, or period in every sentence.
Formulaic example:
The article complies with policies — including WP:V, WP:RS, and WP:BLP — with all claims supported by multiple sources.
More direct alternative:
The article follows WP:V, WP:RS, and WP:BLP, and each claim has multiple sources.
Rule: Use the punctuation that fits the requested style. The project vocabulary preference avoids em dashes; do not treat punctuation as proof of authorship.
10. Vertical Lists with Bold Inline Headers
Formatting everything as bullet points with Bold Header: description.
Formulaic example:
- SEO: Traditional methods for improving visibility...
- AEO: Techniques focused on optimizing content...
- GIO: Strategies for ensuring businesses are cited...
More direct alternative: Use prose when it reads more naturally. Keep bold labels and colon-separated descriptions when the format or reader benefits from them.
11. Undue Emphasis on Notability/Media Coverage
Painstakingly listing every source that covered the topic to prove it matters.
Formulaic example:
Her views have been cited in The New York Times, BBC, Financial Times, and The Hindu. The mall maintains a strong digital presence, particularly on Instagram.
More direct alternative:
Her views appear in reports from [outlet names] about [topic]. Cite the specific reports and explain their relevance.
Rule: Cite the reporting that supports the point. Mention coverage when it is relevant, and explain why.
12. Overuse of Boldface
Mechanically bolding every key term, proper noun, or concept.
Formulaic example:
A leveraged buyout (LBO) uses debt financing to let private equity firms control businesses using the company's assets and future cash flows as collateral.
More direct alternative:
A leveraged buyout uses debt to let a private equity firm control a business; the company's assets and future cash flows secure the loans.
Rule: Bold sparingly. In most prose, bold nothing at all.
Bahasa Indonesia: Structural Patterns to Avoid
Indonesian writing has language-specific editorial considerations beyond the English patterns above. The checks below are heuristics for clarity and natural phrasing, not statistically validated signs of AI authorship. They do not apply uniformly across models, prompts, genres, or writers.
BI-1. The "Kesimpulan" Compulsory Ending
An explicit "Kesimpulan" (Conclusion) section is useful in some formats, but can feel unnecessary in a short article or informal piece.
Less direct version:
Kesimpulan
Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa festival ini memiliki peran penting dalam melestarikan budaya lokal dan memperkuat kohesi sosial masyarakat.
More direct option:
Festival ini melestarikan budaya lokal dan memperkuat kohesi sosial masyarakat.
Rule: Use a section titled "Kesimpulan" when the genre or requested format calls for one. Otherwise, a final prose paragraph may be enough.
BI-2. The "Di Era Modern Ini" Opening
Temporal framing such as "Di era modern ini" can delay the point when the specific context is not needed.
Less direct version:
Di era modern ini, teknologi memainkan peran yang semakin krusial dalam kehidupan manusia. Seiring perkembangan zaman, semakin banyak orang yang menyadari pentingnya... Dalam konteks globalisasi yang terus berkembang...
More direct option:
[Peristiwa spesifik] terjadi di [lokasi] pada [waktu].
Rule: Start with the most useful context, fact, scene, or claim. Use a time frame when it matters.
BI-3. "Tidak Hanya... Tetapi Juga" Parallelism
The Indonesian equivalent of "Not only X, but also Y" can become repetitive if used as a default contrast.
Less direct version:
Pelatihan ini tidak hanya meningkatkan kompetensi peserta, tetapi juga memperkuat jaringan profesional mereka. Festival ini tidak hanya menjadi hiburan, tetapi juga sarana pelestarian budaya.
More direct option:
Pelatihan ini meningkatkan kompetensi peserta dan memperkuat jaringan profesional mereka.
Rule: Keep the contrast when it clarifies a real distinction; otherwise state the point directly.
BI-4. "Merupakan Salah Satu" Importance Inflation
The phrase "merupakan salah satu X yang paling Y" can inflate importance without giving evidence.
Less direct version:
Jakarta merupakan salah satu kota dengan perkembangan ekonomi yang paling pesat di Asia Tenggara. Teknologi ini merupakan salah satu inovasi terpenting yang pernah ada.
More direct option:
[Kota] tumbuh [angka] pada [tahun], lebih cepat daripada [kota pembanding].
Rule: Quantify or compare specifically. "Salah satu yang terpenting" says nothing — show the evidence.
BI-5. Missing Discourse Particles
Discourse particles such as nah, sih, dong, deh, lho, nih, tuh, kan, kok, ya can suit conversational Indonesian; they may be out of place in formal prose.
Less direct version:
Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pentingnya memahami konteks sosial dalam pengambilan keputusan.
More direct option:
Jadi, konteks sosial perlu dipahami saat mengambil keputusan.
Rule: Use particles only when they fit the register and voice. Their presence or absence does not establish authorship.
BI-6. The "Di Sisi Lain, Terdapat Tantangan" Formula
A generic "challenges" pivot after every positive statement can feel formulaic.
Less direct version:
Di sisi lain, terdapat beberapa tantangan yang perlu diatasi, seperti keterbatasan sumber daya dan rendahnya kesadaran masyarakat. Namun, dengan upaya yang tepat, tantangan ini dapat diatasi.
More direct option:
Sumber daya yang tersedia ialah [jenis atau jumlah sesuai sumber], sedangkan [kendala lain] masih perlu diperiksa.
Rule: When mentioning problems, name those supported by the source. Avoid vague optimism that does not advance the point.
BI-7. Nominalization Overload
Heavy noun phrases can make prose bureaucratic when a simple verb would be clearer.
Less direct version:
Pelaksanaan program pelatihan vokasional ini dilakukan dalam rangka peningkatan kompetensi tenaga kerja. Pengembangan kapasitas sumber daya manusia merupakan prioritas utama.
More direct option:
Program pelatihan vokasional ini bertujuan meningkatkan kompetensi dan kesiapan tenaga kerja serta mempercepat adaptasi mereka. Prioritas utamanya adalah mengembangkan kapasitas sumber daya manusia.
Rule: Prefer verbs over noun derivations. "Melatih" not "pelaksanaan pelatihan." "Mengembangkan" not "pengembangan."
BI-8. "Di Mana" as Relative Pronoun
The relative "di mana" can sound like a literal translation of English "where" in some sentences.
Less direct version:
Ini adalah sebuah program di mana peserta akan mendapatkan pelatihan intensif selama tiga bulan. Kami memiliki sistem di mana setiap anggota dapat mengakses data secara real-time.
More direct option:
Dalam program ini, peserta akan mendapat pelatihan intensif selama tiga bulan. Sistem kami memungkinkan setiap anggota mengakses data secara real-time.
Rule: Rewrite "di mana" relative clauses as direct sentences.
BI-9. Always-Formal Pronoun Use
Choose among "Anda," "kamu," "lo/lu," or "gue/aku" according to register and audience.
Formal version in a casual article:
Anda mungkin pernah mengalami hal serupa. Apakah Anda sudah mencoba solusi berikut ini?
Casual option:
Pernah ngalamin hal serupa? Sudah coba solusi ini?
Rule: Match pronoun register to the requested context and keep it consistent unless there is a reason to shift.
BI-10. "Dapat Dilihat Bahwa" Padding
Passive epistemic constructions such as "dapat dilihat bahwa" can add words without adding information.
Less direct version:
Dari data tersebut, dapat dilihat bahwa terdapat peningkatan yang signifikan. Dapat dipahami bahwa fenomena ini merupakan cerminan dari kondisi sosial yang lebih luas. Perlu dipahami bahwa konteks ini sangat penting bagi pemahaman kita.
More direct option:
[Indikator] naik [angka] dibanding [periode sebelumnya].
Rule: State the finding directly, preserving any measurement and qualification that matters. Remove "dapat dilihat bahwa," "dapat dipahami bahwa," or "perlu dipahami bahwa" only when the phrase adds no meaning.
Editorial Checks for Structure
Detectors estimate authorship and can misclassify human writing or AI-assisted writing. Editing for sentence variety does not guarantee a detector outcome. Use the following checks to improve the draft itself:
Repeated argument cadence
A draft may repeatedly introduce context, expand, add a contrast, and resolve. That structure is useful when the argument calls for it; change the order when repetition obscures the point. Do not force unresolved endings or omit needed context to imitate a supposed human pattern.
Repeated sentence openings or lengths
Notice if several nearby sentences begin the same way or have a similar rhythm. Vary them only where it improves flow. Do not target a word-count range or alternate short and long sentences mechanically.
Paragraphs and lists
Use paragraphs and lists according to the relationship between ideas and the requested format. Combine fragments that belong together; split dense blocks where a pause helps readers. No fixed paragraph or list count makes text more human.
Symmetric hooks and tidy endings
Contrasts such as “Many people think X. The reality is Y” and concise conclusions can work. Look for repetition, then keep, revise, or remove them according to meaning and voice, not a model stereotype.
Specificity and texture
Prefer concrete details when the source provides them. Do not invent anecdotes, errors, informal asides, or rough edges. Preserve the author's actual register and any real uncertainty.