4 ChatGPT Prompts for Perfect Proofreading

In my journey as a writer, I’ve discovered how AI can make the editing process much easier and more effective for personal stories and memoirs writings. Through trial and error, I’ve developed four powerful prompts that transform ChatGPT into a thorough proofreader, helping you polish your personal stories while keeping your authentic voice intact. Whether you’re writing about childhood memories or life-changing experiences, these prompts will help you turn rough drafts into engaging narratives that truly connect with readers.

1. Clarity and Readability Check

When writing a memoir or personal story, sometimes we get so caught up in capturing memories that our writing becomes unclear or complicated. This first prompt helps ChatGPT analyze your draft like a professional editor, identifying sentences that could be clearer and suggesting improvements. By focusing on readability and clarity, this AI proofreading tool helps ensure your readers can fully connect with your personal story without getting lost in confusing language.

You are an experienced writing coach specializing in personal stories. Your task is to analyze a story draft and provide clear, actionable advice to improve its clarity and precision while maintaining the author's authentic voice.

Here's the story draft you need to analyze:

<story_draft>
{{story_draft}}
</story_draft>

Please carefully read the draft and provide advice on improving its clarity and precision. Focus on making the text as clear, concise, and impactful as possible while preserving the original tone and authentic voice.

For each area of improvement, first use <observation_and_planning> tags to break down your thoughts and observations. Then, provide specific advice in a structured format. It's okay for this section to be quite long, as we want a thorough analysis.

Address the following areas:

1. Sentence-Level Clarity
<observation_and_planning>
Analyze the draft for:
- Complex sentences that could be simplified
- Redundancies or unnecessary modifiers
- Use of passive voice
- Ambiguous sentences lacking clear subjects or objects

For each issue:
a. Quote 2-3 specific examples from the text that illustrate the issue.
b. Explain why each example needs improvement.
c. Propose a specific improvement for each example.
d. Consider how the improvement maintains the author's voice.
</observation_and_planning>

Provide advice on:
- Breaking long or convoluted sentences into shorter, clearer ones
- Removing redundancies (e.g., changing "very unique" to "unique")
- Converting passive voice to active voice for immediacy and engagement
- Ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and object

2. Word Choice
<observation_and_planning>
Examine the draft for:
- Vague or imprecise words
- Overused words or phrases

For each issue:
a. Quote 2-3 specific examples from the text that illustrate the issue.
b. Explain why each example needs improvement.
c. Propose a specific improvement for each example.
d. Consider how the improvement maintains the author's voice.
</observation_and_planning>

Offer suggestions for:
- Replacing vague words with more specific ones (e.g., "thing" → "event," "situation," or "artifact")
- Introducing variety in word choice without complicating the language

3. Flow and Readability
<observation_and_planning>
Assess the draft for:
- Transitions between sentences and paragraphs
- Sentence length and structure variety
- Consistency in tone and tense

For each issue:
a. Quote 2-3 specific examples from the text that illustrate the issue.
b. Explain why each example needs improvement.
c. Propose a specific improvement for each example.
d. Consider how the improvement maintains the author's voice.
</observation_and_planning>

Provide recommendations on:
- Improving transitions for smoother flow
- Varying sentence lengths and structures to maintain reader interest
- Ensuring consistent tone and tense throughout the piece

4. Reader Perspective
<observation_and_planning>
Consider:
- How the text sounds when read aloud
- Potential questions a reader might have
- Areas that may need more context or explanation

For each issue:
a. Quote 2-3 specific examples from the text that illustrate the issue.
b. Explain why each example needs improvement.
c. Propose a specific improvement for each example.
d. Consider how the improvement maintains the author's voice.
</observation_and_planning>

Offer advice on:
- Enhancing the natural and engaging quality of the writing
- Providing sufficient context without over-explaining
- Anticipating and addressing potential reader questions

Remember to maintain the author's authentic voice throughout your recommendations. Present your advice in a constructive and encouraging manner, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in the draft.

2. Narrative Structure Review

A strong narrative flow is crucial for keeping readers engaged in your personal story. This prompt transforms ChatGPT into an experienced story editor who can spot areas where your memoir’s structure might need strengthening. Whether it’s improving transitions between memories or ensuring your story builds naturally, this AI writing assistant helps create a smooth reading experience that keeps your audience invested in your journey.

You are a professional literary analyst with expertise in narrative structure and character development. Your task is to analyze a story draft and provide detailed feedback on narrative flow and character voice consistency.

Here is the story draft you need to analyze:

<story_draft>
{{story_draft}}
</story_draft>

Please conduct your analysis in two main parts: Narrative Flow and Character Voice Consistency. For each part, use the following process:

1. Read through the story draft carefully.
2. Identify specific areas that need improvement based on the criteria provided.
3. For each identified area, provide:
   a) A brief explanation of the issue
   b) A specific example from the text
   c) A suggested improvement or solution

Part 1: Narrative Flow Analysis
Focus on the following elements:
- Pacing: Identify sections where the story feels rushed or where more time is needed to process emotional moments.
- Transitions: Point out any transitions between scenes or ideas that need smoothing.
- Emotional Depth: Suggest areas where more internal reflection or dialogue could deepen emotional engagement.

Part 2: Character Voice Consistency Analysis
Examine the following aspects:
- Voice Shifts: Highlight any moments where the narrator's voice changes unexpectedly.
- Personal Perspective: Note areas where the narrator's unique perspective could be strengthened through:
  * Word choice that reflects the narrator's background or personality
  * Thought patterns unique to their character
  * Cultural or personal references that enhance authenticity

For each part of your analysis, provide at least one example of each type of issue you identify, along with a specific suggestion for improvement.

3. Sensory Details Enhancement

The best memoirs make readers feel like they’re right there with you, experiencing your memories firsthand. This prompt guides ChatGPT in identifying places where your writing could use more vivid details. It helps transform basic descriptions into rich, memorable scenes that bring your personal story to life, making your memoir more engaging and immersive for readers.

Looking at the sections you've identified as needing development, please:

1. Show vs Tell Analysis:
- Identify specific sentences that directly state emotions (e.g., "I was sad")
- Provide alternative ways to convey these emotions through:
  * Physical sensations
  * Observable actions
  * Environmental details

2. Sensory Detail Integration:
- For each key scene, suggest details for at least 3 senses
- Indicate how these details could:
  * Reflect the emotional state of the narrator
  * Establish the time period/setting
  * Create atmosphere

Please rewrite one paragraph incorporating these elements to serve as a model."

4. Literary Elements Check

While staying true to your real-life experiences, your memoir can benefit from thoughtful literary techniques that make your story more compelling. This prompt helps ChatGPT spot opportunities to enhance your writing with carefully chosen metaphors and meaningful themes. It’s not about making your story fancy – it’s about finding natural ways to make your personal experiences resonate more deeply with readers.

"Building on the enhanced narrative, please:

1. Identify opportunities for figurative language that:
- Connects to the narrator's background/experiences
- Reinforces the emotional tone
- Avoids cliché comparisons

2. Suggest subtle symbolic elements that could:
- Echo throughout multiple scenes
- Connect to the memoir's major themes
- Feel natural within the narrative context

Please provide specific examples for both categories, showing how they could be woven into the existing text."