31 AI Prompts That Are better than “Rewrite”
Why “Rewrite” Isn’t Enough (And What to Do Instead)
Let’s be honest — one of the most popular uses for AI writing tools is to rewrite content. Maybe you’ve got an old blog post gathering dust. Maybe your marketing copy could use a glow-up. Or maybe — no judgment — you’re racing a deadline and need to turn something in fast.
So, what do you do? You click the magic button labeled “Rewrite.”
But then… meh. The results are flat. It’s like asking someone for a fresh haircut and they just comb your hair differently. Nothing’s really changed.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I’m writing this — to share my go-to prompts that actually get results. Not copy-paste clones. Not robotic regurgitations. Real rewrites.
AI Only Gives What You Ask For (So Ask Better)
AI feels like a genie at your fingertips — ask, and you shall receive. But here’s the twist: if you don’t ask the right way, the results can be disappointing.
The problem isn’t the AI. It’s the prompt.
Most people type “rewrite” and expect a miracle. But “rewrite” is vague. Bland. Limp. And large language models (like ChatGPT or Jasper) love to repeat patterns. If you don’t give them better direction, they’ll just echo what you gave them — sometimes literally.
Why the Classic “Rewrite This” Prompt Falls Flat
Let’s say you prompt:
Rewrite the above article.
What you want is fresh content — new angles, improved flow, a more engaging tone. But the AI sees that prompt and thinks, Got it. Slightly shuffle the same words.
Cue disappointment.
It’s not just an AI quirk. If you handed your rough draft to a human assistant and asked them to “rewrite it,” they’d probably just tidy it up — not rebuild it from the ground up. Same deal with AI.
So, What Should You Say Instead?
If “rewrite” isn’t cutting it, the answer lies in getting specific. Use action-oriented, descriptive prompts that give the AI something to do — not just something to repeat.
Verbs are your secret weapon.
Here are 31 smart AI prompts alternatives to “rewrite” that give clearer direction — and better results:
31 Prompts That Beat “Rewrite”
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Paraphrase – Avoid plagiarism by rewording with originality.
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Reframe – Shift the angle or perspective.
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Summarize – Boil it down to the essentials.
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Expand – Go deeper, add context.
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Explain – Make something clearer.
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Reinterpret – Offer a new understanding.
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Simplify – Make the language easier to digest.
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Elaborate – Add more depth or detail.
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Amplify – Turn up the volume on a key idea.
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Clarify – Make murky points clearer.
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Adapt – Customize for a specific audience or purpose.
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Modernize – Update outdated terms or references.
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Formalize – Give it a polished, professional tone.
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Informalize – Make it casual and conversational.
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Condense – Make it punchier by trimming excess.
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Emphasize – Highlight what really matters.
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Diversify – Shake up sentence structure and vocabulary.
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Neutralize – Remove bias and keep it objective.
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Streamline – Cut fluff, keep flow.
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Enrich – Add flair, elegance, or storytelling.
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Illustrate – Insert examples or analogies.
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Synthesize – Blend multiple ideas into one.
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Sensationalize – Add drama (great for headlines or ads).
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Humanize – Make it warm, real, and relatable.
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Elevate – Class it up with a more refined tone.
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Illuminate – Make a topic pop with clarity.
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Energize – Infuse excitement and momentum.
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Soft-pedal – Tone it down, make it gentler.
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Exaggerate – Bold and playful for marketing.
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Downplay – Keep it modest and measured.
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Glamorize – Add sparkle and appeal.
Why Word Choice is Everything in Prompt Engineering
Think of prompt writing as a skill — like writing a recipe. If your instructions are too vague, you won’t like what comes out of the oven. But if you get clear with your verbs and tone, the results can be magic.
Even something as simple as:
“Make the above more engaging and friendly for a blog post”
…can be a game-changer compared to just saying “rewrite this.”
Want it bullet-pointed? Say that. Want it in a specific tone? Say that too. The more direction you give, the more tailored the output becomes.
One of My Favorite Prompts:
“Reinterpret the above from a [specific perspective], for publication as a [format].”
Example:
“Reinterpret the above from a beginner’s perspective, for publication as a friendly how-to blog post.”
This instantly gives the AI a direction and a purpose.
Another prompt I love is Amanda Weston’s:
“Reuse the above concept in a [tone] that will resonate with [audience].”
It’s thoughtful and makes the AI pay attention to voice and impact. That word “resonate” really is doing a lot of work here.
The “Big-Little-Big” Method
This is a technique I swear by. Here’s how it works:
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Big: Start with your full piece.
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Little: Summarize or bullet-point it. Strip it down.
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Big again: Rebuild from those bones into something new.
This method avoids repetition because it forces a fresh construction. You’re not just tweaking — you’re regenerating.
Set the Tone (Literally)
Tone matters more than you think. A schoolteacher once told us to “rewrite in your own words,” and that advice still holds. If you want AI to write like you, set the tone.
If you don’t know your writing style, tools like Jasper’s Brand Voice feature can help you define it — even if you only use the free trial.
Here’s a prompt example:
“Rewrite the above in a professional, friendly tone that emphasizes clarity and conversational flow.”
That’s so much more useful than just “rewrite this.”
In a Hurry?
If you’re short on time, tools like Jasper AI’s Paragraph Rewriter are plug-and-play. No prompt engineering needed. You just paste, click, and get results — including SEO options with Surfer integration.
But if you do have the time (and creativity), crafting your own prompts gives you way more control and quality.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to AI writing, “rewrite” is a blunt tool. It barely scratches the surface. But with the right prompts and a little intention, you can unlock rewrites that are smarter, fresher, and totally aligned with your goals.
Whether you’re a marketer, blogger, student, or just someone staring at a screen thinking “ugh, this needs work,” try out some of these prompts. You’ll be amazed at how much more powerful — and human — your content can feel.
Write smart. Prompt better. And most of all — have fun with it.
