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How to Write with an LLM

769 points · 420 comments · joeriddles

  1. Retr0id · · focus · HN ↗
    > Present the original and new writing to the model and ask it which is better.

    LLMs have absolutely terrible taste when it comes to writing. I don't find their feedback useful at all, beyond trivial spelling/grammar mistakes, which you don't really need an LLM for in the first place.

    Proofreading is all you need.

    Edit: I do sometimes ask an LLM for a fact-check, though.

    1. tptacek · · focus · HN ↗
      That’s what this is: it’s mechanical proofing.
      1. Retr0id · · focus · HN ↗
        I don't think it's a useful substitute for actual proofreading though, unless you're truly in a time crunch. When I proofread I don't just look for mistakes, I try to put myself into the position of a prospective audience member. LLMs seem to have absolutely no concept of "theory of the reader's mind". If I'm going for extra high effort, I have friends read it, usually asking them to identify anything that was unclear or hard to follow.
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