ai-writing-detection

# AI Writing Detection Reference

Expert-level knowledge base for detecting AI-generated text, compiled from academic research, commercial detection tools, and empirical analysis.

## Quick Reference: High-Confidence Signals

These indicators strongly suggest AI authorship when found together:

### Vocabulary Red Flags
**High-signal words** (50-700x more common in AI text):
- "delve", "tapestry", "nuanced", "multifaceted", "underscore"
- "intricate interplay", "played a crucial role", "complex and multifaceted"
- "paramount", "pivotal", "meticulous", "holistic", "robust"
- "stands/serves as", "marking a pivotal moment", "underscores its importance"

**Overused phrases**:
- "It's important to note that..."
- "In today's fast-paced world..."
- "At its core..."
- "Without further ado..."
- "Let me explain..."

See [reference/vocabulary-patterns.md](reference/vocabulary-patterns.md) for complete lists.

### Structural Red Flags
- **Uniform sentence lengths**: 12-18 words consistently (low burstiness)
- **Tricolon structures**: "research, collaboration, and problem-solving"
- **Em dash overuse**: AI uses em dashes in a formulaic way to mimic "punched up" sales writing, especially in parallelisms ("it's not X — it's Y"); swapping punctuation doesn't fix the underlying emphasis pattern
- **Perfect paragraph uniformity**: All paragraphs same approximate length
- **Template conclusions**: "In summary...", "In conclusion..."
- **Negative parallelisms**: "It's not about X; it's about Y"
- **Elegant variation**: Cycling through synonyms to avoid repetition
- **False ranges**: "From X to Y" with incoherent endpoints

See [reference/structural-patterns.md](reference/structural-patterns.md) for details.

### Content Red Flags
- **Importance puffery**: "marking a pivotal moment in history"
- **Ecosystem/conservation claims** without citations
- **"Challenges and Future" sections** following rigid formula
- **Promotional language**: "nestled in", "stunning natural beauty", "boasts"