How can I make AI write in my own style?

One of the most common complaints about AI writing is that it sounds generic. The good news is that modern AI models are very good at copying a style when you give them the right material. Here is a method that works.

Start with samples, not adjectives. Telling the AI to "write casually and professionally" is too vague, because those words mean different things to different people. Instead, give it three to five pieces you have written yourself, such as emails, posts or articles you are happy with. Then ask: "Study these samples and describe my writing style in detail: sentence length, vocabulary, tone, structure, how I open and close, and any habits you notice."

Review and correct the style description. The AI's analysis will be partly right and partly off. Edit it. Add things it missed, such as "I never use exclamation marks" or "I often use a short one-line paragraph for emphasis." Remove anything that does not sound like you. This edited description becomes your style guide.

Save the style guide where it will be applied automatically. Put it in ChatGPT's custom instructions, a Claude Project's instructions or a Gemini Gem. For one-off tasks, paste it at the top of your prompt along with one sample.

Add a list of things you never say. Every writer has phrases they dislike. Many people dislike stock AI phrases such as "in today's fast-paced world," "let's dive in" or "unlock the power of." List them clearly as banned. This single step makes a big difference.

Give feedback on the drafts. When a draft is close but not quite right, be specific: "Too formal; I would say 'sorted' rather than 'resolved'," or "Cut the summary at the end, I never do that." Over time, update your style guide with these corrections.

Keep the content yours. Style is only half of sounding like you. The other half is your own opinions, examples and experiences. Feed the AI your actual points, stories and details, and ask it to shape them in your style. Text built from your ideas will always sound more like you than text the AI invents from scratch.

Finally, read the output aloud before using it. Your ear will catch anything that does not sound like you faster than your eyes will.