ChatGPT-generated text comes with distinct writing patterns. 

How to recognize these and can you customize this peculiar writing style ? 

In this guide, I’ll point out to you the most common characteristics of ChatGPT’s default writing style, but also give you some prompting strategies to leverage custom writing styles. 

What is ChatGPT’s Default Writing Style?

ChatGPT falls into predictable patterns that make its writing easily recognizable : 

1. Predictable Structures

ChatGPT tends to follow a conventional structure with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions that rely on familiar themes and expressions. It likes to follow traditional “essay writing” writing structures. 

2. Peculiar Vocabulary

ChatGPT frequently uses certain words and phrases more unusual for common English speakers, such as “delve,” “tapestry,” and “nuances.” It also generaly favor what I call “bullshit words” or “marketing jargons” that are hyperbolic adjectives like “revolutionary” “game-changing” “fast-paced” or “unprecedented”. 

3. Extended Metaphors

A common hallmark of ChatGPT’s writing is its reliance on extended metaphors to illustrate ideas. These metaphors are often limited to a handful of familiar concepts, such as:

• Weaving: Comparing experiences to threads forming a tapestry.
• Cooking: Blending ingredients to represent learning or growth.
• Painting: Using colors to describe diverse perspectives.
• Music: Drawing analogies to harmonies and rhythms in life.

4. Distinct Punctuation Patterns

ChatGPT frequently employs em dashes—like this—in a way that is not commonly taught in high schools or used in everyday writing. It also has unique patterns in its use of quotation marks and apostrophes, often favoring straight quotation marks for quotes and curly apostrophes in possessives.

5. Overuse of Tricolons

ChatGPT has a tendency to structure ideas using tricolons, a rhetorical device that presents concepts in threes for emphasis and rhythm. Examples include:

• “I honed my skills in research, collaboration, and problem-solving.”
• “My passion grew from curiosity to exploration to mastery.”

6. Formulaic Conclusions

ChatGPT often concludes with phrases that suggest reflection and future growth. Common structures include:

• “As I progress in my journey, I will continue to embrace these values.”
• “I have learned that success is not only about achieving goals; it is also about personal growth.”

7. Multiple Endings

AI-generated content frequently contains multiple conclusions, offering different ways to wrap up a piece. This tendency arises because the model tries to cover all possibilities, often resulting in redundant or over-explained final paragraphs.

How to Make ChatGPT Sound Less Like ChatGPT and More Like You

Making ChatGPT sound more natural and aligned with your voice requires deliberate effort. Here’s how you can achieve it:

1. Provide Style Guidelines

Provide specific instructions to tailor the tone, style, and vocabulary. The more context you provide, the better the output aligns with your unique style. You can use prompts like this : 

Each time you’re writing something, follow this step-by-step guideline: 

• Adopt an engaging, helpful voice, provide actionable and concrete insights, and avoid buzzwords. 
• Use concise, short, and easy-to-understand sentences.
• In your writing, put your readers’ goals and concerns first by using pronouns like ‘you’ or ‘your’.
• [other specific guidelines]

This is even better if you provide examples of your previous work. ChatGPT is really good at mimicing specific writing styles, such as tone, sentence length, and preferred expressions. You can give at thanks to this prompt : 

Here’s a writing sample to help you determine what kind of writing style and tone we expect. Only reply ‘ok’ if the extract is clear for you. Here’s the extract: [a well-chosen writing sample]

2. Add Personal Insights and Anecdotes

Infusing ChatGPT with your own ideas not only make it sound more unique but break away from predictable writing patterns. Since it is following the creative flow of your own draft ideas ! 

A good way to achieve this is to ChatGPT to base itself on your crafted outline. Since AI is designed to draw from existing data, it tends to regurgitate common information unless guided otherwise. A structured outline, will force ChatGPT to organize its ideas in a more unique and human-like way. 

Start with a prompt that directs ChatGPT to outline the major sections and key points of the content. For example:

Build an outline of an article about [your topic] basing yourself on this draft outline : 1. a. b. 2. 3…

Then ask ChatGPT to write each specific section one-by-one.

3. Edit and Refine Manually

To make it sound diffentely, you don’t want to settle for ChatGPT’s first draft. You want to Review and revise manually the content by yourself:

• Replacing overused words with more precise and professional vocabulary. Avoid “bullshit words” like “revolution,” “game-changer,” “unparalleled,” or “fast-paced.” These terms often sound inflated and undermine the content’s authority.
• Adjusting sentence structures to add variety. AI content tends to follow repetitive patterns in sentence length and formatting, making it predictable. Introduce dynamic paragraph structures and alternate between bullet points, subsections, and full paragraphs for better readability.
• Removing redundant introductions and conclusions at the beginning or end of the text. AI often repeats generic phrases like  “in a era where” “in the fast-paced world”, “In conclusion” or “In summary,” which add little value. Replace these with more actionable and specific statements.
• Reviewing the use of metaphors like “weaving,” “painting,” or “unleashing.” While metaphors can add flair, their excessive presence can make the writing seem exaggerated or cliched.
• Checking citations and examples that may be fabricated or incorrect. AI occasionally invents sources, so verify every reference for accuracy.
• Even minizing Em dashes to be sure to bypass AI detection—replace them with simpler punctuation, such as commas or periods, to maintain a natural flow.

6 Custom ChatGPT Writing Styles with Prompts

It would be boring to be stuck to ChatGPT default writing style. Fortunately, you can definitely customize ChatGPT’s writing style thanks to good prompting. Below are six writing styles, each with example of prompts : 

1. Conversational Style

Persona Prompt:

You are a friendly and engaging content writer who specializes in making complex topics easy to understand for general readers. Your audience consists of curious individuals who want to learn in an informal yet informative way. Keep the tone light, engaging, and conversational, avoiding jargon and overly technical terms.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this essay:

‘So, you’ve probably heard all the buzz about AI taking over the world, right? Well, let’s hit pause on the drama. Sure, AI is reshaping the way we work, live, and even think—but it’s not some sci-fi villain ready to take control. Instead, it’s a tool—a powerful one—that, when used right, can unlock opportunities you never imagined. Picture this: a virtual assistant that doesn’t just answer emails but learns your preferences, anticipates your needs, and helps you save time and effort. Sounds pretty useful, doesn’t it? Let’s explore how this all works and what it means for you, step by step.’

2. Storytelling Style

Persona Prompt:

You are a skilled storyteller with a knack for weaving engaging narratives. Your audience consists of professionals and business leaders who enjoy learning through real-life examples and compelling stories. The tone should be inspiring and relatable, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions and emotional resonance.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this text:

‘When Sarah started her small bakery, she thought her days would be filled with rolling dough and greeting happy customers. But managing inventory, tracking sales, and understanding customer preferences quickly became overwhelming. Then, one late night as she poured over endless spreadsheets, she stumbled across an article about AI tools for small businesses. Skeptical but desperate, she decided to give it a shot.

The results were transformative. AI-powered software began tracking her inventory in real-time, predicting which pastries would sell out and when she needed to restock. It analyzed customer data, helping Sarah tailor her menu to what her customers loved most—like her famous blueberry scones. The automation freed up hours of her time, allowing her to focus on perfecting recipes and engaging with her customers. Her bakery, once a modest corner shop, grew into a bustling hotspot, earning rave reviews and loyal patrons..’

3. Persuasive Style

Persona Prompt:

You are an experienced marketing writer specializing in persuasive content. Your audience consists of business owners and decision-makers looking for effective solutions to their challenges. The tone should be convincing and confident, with clear benefits and strong calls to action.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this essay:

“Imagine doubling your customer engagement, uncovering insights you never knew existed, and driving revenue growth—all without increasing your workload. That’s the power of AI-powered marketing tools. These solutions don’t just help you stay relevant; they give you a decisive edge. With AI, you can personalize campaigns at scale, analyze consumer behavior in real-time, and optimize every marketing dollar for maximum impact. The result? Happier customers, higher conversions, and a brand that stands out from the competition. Don’t wait until your competitors outpace you—investing in AI is crucial for staying ahead and thriving in today’s market.”

4. Analytical Style

Persona Prompt:

You are a data-driven researcher specializing in AI trends and business strategy. Your audience consists of industry professionals and analysts who rely on facts, figures, and well-reasoned arguments. Maintain a formal, objective tone, citing data and case studies to support your claims.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this essay:

‘According to recent studies, AI adoption is projected to grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% over the next five years. This explosive growth is being fueled by an increasing reliance on automation across critical industries like healthcare, where AI is revolutionizing diagnostics and patient care, finance. It is optimizing risk analysis and fraud detection, and manufacturing, which is seeing unparalleled efficiency through intelligent robotics. Companies that act now to embrace AI technologies are positioning themselves as industry leaders, ready to outpace competitors in a rapidly evolving market.’

5. Humorous Style

Persona Prompt:

You are a witty and humorous content writer who loves making readers laugh while educating them. Your audience consists of young professionals and tech enthusiasts who appreciate a casual and playful tone. Inject humor, sarcasm, and relatable references without compromising the message.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this essay:

‘AI is like that overachieving friend who somehow knows everything—seriously, everything—and never takes a day off.  It can suggest the perfect playlist for your moody attitude, it can magically guess what kind of ice cream you’re looking for, or whether you want pants with your deliveroo order or not. But let’s not pretend it doesn’t have its quirks. Have you ever tried to ask it a simple question only to end up in a rabbit hole of existential advice? It’s like your tech-savvy cousin who insists on making every conversation a TED Talk.”

6. Formal Style

Persona Prompt:

You are a professional business writer with expertise in corporate communication. Your audience consists of executives, investors, and policymakers who expect clear, concise, and professional content. Maintain a formal, authoritative tone with a focus on accuracy and clarity.

Sample Prompt:

Here’s an example of the style and tone I want you to use in this essay:

‘Artificial intelligence is transforming the corporate world in profound ways, providing businesses with tools to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and streamline operations. By automating repetitive tasks and enabling data-driven decision-making, AI allows organizations to redirect resources toward strategic growth initiatives. However, to fully realize these benefits, companies must approach AI integration with a clear strategy. This means aligning AI deployments with specific business objectives, investing in employee training, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards. A thoughtful, well-executed AI strategy can not only optimize operations but also position businesses as leaders in their industries.’