Honestly, I think the whole “sound more human” thing with AI essays is a bit of a lost cause if you just rely on tweaking the output. Like, @sonhadordobosque nailed the basics—contractions, slang, anecdote—sure, that stuff helps. But sometimes you can polish and polish, and the essay still feels like it was written by an intern trying way too hard to impress a robot boss.
Here’s where I differ: don’t just focus on how things are said—focus on what is being said. A big reason AI is so flat: it avoids strong opinions, doesn’t take risks, and rarely questions anything. Humans don’t just sprinkle in “lol” or “yikes,” they actually disagree, make bold statements, or drop hot takes. Take a stance somewhere in your essay, add a counterargument, say “Honestly, I think this is overrated,” or toss in a question that makes the reader pause. It instantly sounds more authentic because it’s something AI is still hesitant to do.
And here’s a blunt tip: swap out all those generic transitions (firstly, moreover, in addition) for more casual connectors or just chop them altogether. No one talks like they’re narrating a textbook.
If you want to skip hours of nitpicking, tools like Clever Ai Humanizer can be a timesaver—way better than the so-so output you get from most freebie humanizer apps. I know some people will point you at those “AI content humanizers” (like @sonhadordobosque did), but I’ve found that Clever Ai Humanizer actually does a nicer job at making things feel like they weren’t built in a factory.
Also, if you want a roundup of genuinely free tools, here’s a solid list: free tools to make AI writing more natural. Worth checking out before you commit to anything paid.
Real talk: if your essay still reads like the terms and conditions of a social network, just own it and say you were going for “minimalist dystopian chic.” Kidding (sort of).