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How To Use ChatGPT To Replace Clichés In Your Writing
Too many new writers dress up old clichés.
Welcome to The Pen Pivot!
In today’s email:
AI Write Byte 🖋️ - How to use ChatGPT to replace clichés in your writing
AI Teaches Writing 📚 - Watch ChatGPT break down this classic passage from Dune
AI Meme Of The Day 😂 - This one is genuinely not too bad (I promise)
AI Write Byte 🖋️
How To Use ChatGPT To Crush Your Cliché
“Actions speak louder than words”.
The tepid phrase stared back at me through the screen, and I felt nothing.
While it conveyed exactly what I wanted to convey at that critical point in my blog post, surely there was a more inspired set of words to use instead?
To cut a long story short, I outsourced my cliché busting to ChatGPT and it disposed of it with ruthless efficiency.
The ChatGPT prompt I used is in the yellow block below.
If you’ve got a cliché phrase you seem to use repeatedly, fill in the prompt template, copy, paste, and give it a whirl in ChatGPT.
Remember, you don’t necessarily need to fill in all of the blanks.
In fact, you may want to leave out the “Topic or theme of the writing piece” altogether. More on this later.
Anyway, I call this prompt the “Cliché Killer”. Enjoy.
“Let's work together to create a more unique and creative phrase to replace a cliché I've used in my writing. The new phrase should convey the same meaning but have a more lasting impact on my readers. Please give me a list of 20 potential alternative phrases; consider metaphors, similes, idioms, allusions, wordplay, analogies, juxtapositions, and hyperbole. Take the following information into account:
Cliché phrase to replace: [insert here]
Paragraph in which the cliché is used:
[copy and paste the paragraph]
Topic or theme of my writing piece: [insert topic, theme, or article title]
Target audience: [insert here]
Tone or style of my writing: [eg. serious, humorous, informative, persuasive]
Desired effect on the reader: [eg. engaging them, making them think, or inspiring them]”
**End Prompt**
The beauty of this prompt is that you’ll get very different responses depending on the information you provide.
The article in which I used the cliché phrase was focused on sustainable men’s fashion.
The responses I get from ChatGPT are wildly different when I give it the topic/theme:
Eg. "Let your attire echo your values."
When I don’t provide the topic/theme, the phrases ChatGPT comes up with are less specific, but often more effective and unique.
“Actions are the currency of trust”.
“Words may be the arrow, but actions are the bow that propels them forward”.
You’ll also get very different responses when you change the tone, as well as the desired effect. Try it out.
The list of suggestions was impressive. I kept asking for “more examples, please” and ChatGPT did not tire.
AI Teaches Writing 📚
I asked ChatGPT to break down why this famous passage from Dune is so darn impactful.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
ChatGPT’s Response 🤖
This passage from "Dune" is effective for several reasons:
Clear, concise language: The writer uses simple, straightforward language that is easy to understand and remember.
Emphasis on the destructive power of fear: The repetition of the word "fear" throughout the passage reinforces its importance and emphasizes the central idea that fear can be a destructive force if not confronted and overcome.
Metaphorical language: The writer uses metaphorical language to describe fear as a "little-death" that brings "total obliteration," creating a vivid and impactful image that sticks in the reader's mind.
Personal pronouns: The writer uses personal pronouns like "I" and "me" to create a sense of intimacy and personal connection with the reader.
Positive, empowering message: The writer emphasizes the idea that fear can be faced and overcome, and that the individual will emerge stronger and more resilient as a result.
Taps into a common human experience: The passage speaks to a universal human experience - the experience of fear - and offers a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of such challenges.
Short and focused: The passage is short and focused, making it easy to remember and recite, which contributes to its enduring popularity and impact.
AI Meme Of The Day
That’s all for today, folks!
Happy writing.
See you for the next one on Wednesday.
Misya from The Pen Pivot