AI text generators are super handy for rewriting stuff.

Maybe you need to spice up some marketing copy, refresh an old blog post, or even whip up a last-minute essay.

But hitting that “Rewrite” button might not give you the results you’re hoping for.

That’s why I’m here!

I’ve got some awesome prompts that’ll help you get exactly what you need.

A.I. Prompts: You get what you ask for

AI feels like magic for writers, right?

It’s like having a genie who can create any kind of content you want.

But it can also be frustrating when the AI doesn’t quite get it.

The problem is often that we don’t know how to ask for what we want.

It’s all about crafting the perfect “wish” – a good prompt engineer is precise and chooses their words carefully.

How we ask, and the subtle meanings behind our words, are just as important as what we’re actually asking for.

The most common complaint I hear is, “Why does the ‘rewrite’ function just spit back what I already wrote?”

Why “Rewrite” is not a powerful prompt

Sometimes, giving the AI a simple command like “Rewrite the above article” just doesn’t cut it.

People get frustrated when it doesn’t give them a fresh new piece.

But imagine you’re the AI, or even better, Bart Simpson. When you give him a sentence and tell him to rewrite it, he’ll probably just repeat it back to you, maybe with a slight change in tone.

That’s basically what the AI is doing!

Even if you asked a human assistant to “rewrite” something, it doesn’t mean they’d create something totally new from scratch.

It usually means polishing up or making a second pass.

But AI takes things literally, so it might just repeat what you said, which can lead to plagiarism.

And even in the best cases, “rewrite” just creates a weaker version of the original.

Telling the AI to “completely rewrite” or “use new words” doesn’t always work either.

You probably still want some of the same keywords, along with basic words like “and” or “the.”

You really just want it to sound original and fresh.

Choosing the right words is key when working with AI.

This is why writing skills are more important than ever.

AI can help writers become even better, but it won’t replace them.

So, before you give the AI a prompt, think about what you really want.

“Rewrite” is boring and vague, and it’ll give you boring and vague results.

Try using more descriptive verbs to tell the AI what to do with the text.

31 AI Prompts that are better than “Rewrite”

Here are 31 ways to get much better results than simply hitting “rewrite”:

Changing the wording:

  • Paraphrase: Reword to avoid copying.
  • Reframe: Shift the focus or angle.
  • Simplify: Make it easier to understand.
  • Modernize: Update outdated language.
  • Formalize/Informalize: Adjust the tone for different audiences.
  • Neutralize: Remove opinions for a more objective tone.

Changing the length:

  • Summarize: Get the main points in a shorter format.
  • Condense: Cut out unnecessary fluff.
  • Expand: Go into more detail.
  • Elaborate: Explain things more fully.

Adding or highlighting information:

  • Emphasize/Reiterate: Make certain points stand out.
  • Clarify: Clear up confusing parts.
  • Illustrate: Add examples for better understanding.
  • Amplify: Strengthen the message.

Changing the style or tone:

  • Diversify: Add variety to sentence structure and words.
  • Enrich/Embellish: Add more details or flair.
  • Humanize: Make it more relatable.
  • Elevate: Make it more sophisticated.
  • Illuminate: Make it super clear and easy to understand.
  • Enliven/Energize: Make it more lively and exciting.
  • Soft-pedal: Tone down the intensity.

Other cool options:

  • Adapt: Tailor it to a different audience or purpose.
  • Reinterpret: Explain a possible meaning.
  • Synthesize: Combine different pieces of information.
  • Sensationalize: Make it more dramatic or attention-grabbing.
  • Exaggerate/Downplay: Pump it up or tone it down.
  • Glamorize: Make it more appealing or attractive.

Remember, the key is to be specific and tell the AI exactly what you want.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different verbs and phrases to find the perfect prompt for your needs!

Using words wisely when prompt engineering

There are so many ways to make your AI rewrite better!

You can change it for different audiences, tweak the text, or even play around with the words.

Remember, the words you use in your prompt are super important. They actually guide the AI’s response. (This is what makes a true AI pro!)

So, try to pick verbs that match the vibe you want.

For example, “jazz up” not only tells the AI to make the text more exciting, but it also tells it to do it in a fun, informal way.

This lets you pack even more instructions into your prompts, including the feeling you want the text to have.

Other methods to improve rewriting text using AI

You can also tell the AI exactly what you want to achieve with the rewrite.

If you need a specific format, be clear about it.

For example, ask for bullet points if you want a list, or request a detailed paragraph if you need more explanation.

One of my favorite prompts is:

"Reinterpret the above from an [X] perspective, for publication as [Y]."

You can replace [X] with your target audience (like young people, business owners, etc.) or a certain viewpoint (environmental, feminist, etc.). Then replace [Y] with the type of content you want (like an article, email, social media post, etc.).

Another great prompt comes from Amanda Weston:

"Reuse the above concept in a [tone of voice] that will resonate with [intended audience]."

This one focuses on the main idea and aims to make it really connect with your readers.

Big-Little-Big

Here’s another trick to avoid getting the same old thing when rewriting an article: break it down into smaller bits, then build it back up differently.

The total word count stays about the same, but the text gets a complete makeover.

Think of it like this: you take a big thing, shrink it down to the basics, then flesh it out again in a new way.

This usually gets rid of any repetition because you’ve totally transformed the text.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Have the AI summarize the original text into bullet points. You want it super simple, without any direct quotes.
  2. Use those bullet points as the foundation for a brand new piece of writing. You can even do this in a separate chat so the AI doesn’t reference the original text.

Changing the tone of voice is another way to make your rewrite sound fresh.

It’s like when your teacher told you to explain something “in your own words.”

Try asking the AI to use a specific tone of voice, maybe even your own.

If you’re not sure how to capture your unique writing style, I’ve got a solution for you (it’s great for businesses and students!).

When you tell the AI to match a certain personality, it’ll do a more thorough rewrite, adding more individuality to the language.

This also works well with “role play” prompts.

Ask the AI to pretend to be an expert on the topic.

But if you’re a student or someone with a personal brand, make sure to set the tone to your own voice!

Jasper AI

Jasper AI makes it super easy to rewrite in your own unique voice.

They used to only offer this to businesses, but now anyone can use it!

You can even set it as the default, so it automatically writes like you.

Try their free trial to see how Jasper can analyze and figure out your tone of voice.

Even if you only use it once, it can help you understand how to describe your writing style so you can personalize your “rewrite” prompts.

Here’s an example of what you can do:

“Rewrite the above in a professional, informative, and friendly tone. Keep it clear, concise, objective, relevant, and organized, but still conversational to keep the audience engaged.”

But if you’re short on time, there’s an even easier way.

Jasper AI has ready-made templates, so you just fill in the blanks and hit “generate.”

No need to mess with prompts!

This is super handy if you’re in a rush or running a business.

There’s even a template to rewrite paragraphs.

Pro tip: boost your SEO by telling it to include specific keywords.

This works great with Surfer SEO, another AI tool that helps you find the best keywords to get your content noticed on Google.

Conclusion

With these tips and prompts, you can totally transform old content into something fresh and exciting – and make it your own!

I hope this article will help you to improve on your prompting.

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