Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Llama are a perfect tool to rewrite and improve your text. They were trained with trillions of words. It would have taken a person more than ten thousand years (without sleeping) to read that amount! Guess what they are good at? Writing!
In this post, you will find the best ways to ask LLMs to rewrite, expand and condense what you have. Many AI writing software uses LLMs to rewrite and expand text. After reading this article, you will learn the prompts to achieve the same but for free.
Contents
Models to use for rewriting
All ChatGPT and Llama models are good at general writing tasks. For the best result, use ChatGPT 4/Llama 2 Chat 13B or higher.
How to use this guide
You will find useful prompts throughout the article. Replace the square brackets with your own text.
Rewriting in simple language
A secret of writing good web articles is to write in simple English. Studies show that using simple words helps readers to understand the information. In today’s digital era, where people don’t spend much time on one thing, using simple language can make more people interested in what you’ve written.
Prompts for rewriting
Writing at the 8th-grade reading level is about right for web articles. The prompt is
Rewrite the following text in grade 8 level: [text]
Adjust the grade level as needed.
Below are prompts that can achieve the same but produce slightly different results.
Rewrite the following text in everyday language: [text]
Rewrite the following text in simple words: [text]
Improve readability of the following text: [text]
Use the role-playing trick to write in simple words but still sound professional.
You are a professional writer. Rewrite the following text in simple words: [text]
Or use this universal prompt based on writing principles taught in Udemy’s writing course:
Rewrite the following text to make it more simple, clear, with better flow: [text]
Generating multiple versions
Append any prompt with the sentence “Give me 5 versions” to generate multiple options.
Rewrite the following text in simple words. Give me 5 versions: [text]
It’s nice to have a few options to choose from.
Proofreading
Asking LLMs to rewrite your text can change it too much. In the era of the proliferation of AI writing tools, carefully written human writings are highly sought after.
LLMs still have a role to play, even if you intend to write the whole article. You can use them to correct grammar and improve word choices.
Proofreading with minimal changes
Use the following prompts to correct any grammatical errors with minimal rephrasing.
Proofread the following text: [text]
Use the following prompt to correct grammar only with NO rephrasing.
Correct grammatical error of the following text: [text]
Improving word choices
Avoid overused terms:
Find alternative words for overused terms in the following text: [text]
To improve clarity:
Find alternative words to improve clarity of the following text: [text]
Find alternative words to avoid misused words in the following text: [text]
Find alternative words to void technical jargons in the following text: [text]
Ask for suggestions
Ask ChatGPT/Llama to critique your text. It will list a few points for improvement. You can then follow them to rewrite the text in your own words.
List 3 suggestions to improve the follow text: [text]
You can be more specific about what type of improvements you want:
List 3 suggestions to improve the flow the follow text: [text]
List 3 suggestions to improve the readability the follow text: [text]
Completing a paragraph
Writing can be time-consuming because you need to expand an idea. Why not let ChatGPT or Llama create a draft for you? Here are a few prompts you can use.
You are a professional writer. complete the following paragraph: [first sentence]
Changing tones
The writing tone is important to convey attitude and improve clarity. Use the following prompts to rewrite in a different tone.
Rewrite the following text in a formal tone: [text]
Rewrite the following text in a informal tone: [text]
Rewrite the following text in a persausive tone: [text]
Rewrite the following text in a sarcastic tone: [text]
Rewrite the following text in a authoritative tone: [text]
Adjusting the length of the text
Sometimes you need to expand or condense a text. Expanding is useful for creating a draft of a blog post or an article. Condensing is useful for creating a summary or a shorter version of the text.
You can require the number of words to expand or condense a text:
Rewrite the following text in 1000 words: [text]
Or say how many paragraphs you want:
Rewrite the following text in 5 paragraphs: [text]
Converting the text to a specific genre
ChatGPT/Llama is also useful for converting text to a specific kind. Use the role-playing technique to prime the language model for the best result.
You will find a few examples below. This should give you some ideas to create your own.
Marketing copy
You are a professional marketer. Rewrite the following text as a professional copy: [text]
Research article
You are a professional researcher. Rewrite the following text as a research article: [text]
Poem
You are a poet. Rewrite the following text as a poem: [text]
Evaluating a text
Rating a text
Finally, you can use ChatGPT/Llama as a judge to evaluate your writing so that you know where you stand.
Rate the following text based on some general metrics for writing: [text]
The LLM will suggest several metrics and give a score for each. You can also be more specific on the metrics. Pick and choose the metrics you want.
Rate the following text based on clarity, conciseness, organization, relevance, originality and engagement: [text]
Reading level
Evaluating the reading level of a text provides valuable information on how accessible the text is to your audience. As a rule, target grade 8 or below for the highest accessibility.
What is the reading level of the following text: [text]
Good article. Thank you so much.