Whether it’s rewriting an article, adjusting the tone of a document, or improving the style of a sentence, AI-based tools can help us save time and improve the quality of our writing. But how can AI really reformulate a text?

How to reformulate text with ia

In this article, we’ll explore the different techniques and tools available, the advantages they offer, and the best practices to adopt for reformulating text with effective prompts.

Why use AI to reformulate text?

Saving time

Manual reformulation of text can be tedious and time-consuming.

AI makes it possible to reformulate text quickly while maintaining the original meaning, which represents a considerable time-saver.

Improving writing quality

AI tools are able to detect grammatical errors, repetitions, and complex or awkward sentences.

By rephrasing text, they can help improve the clarity, flow and impact of your writing.

Adapting text to a specific audience

Whether you’re writing for a blog, an academic article or a web page,AI can adapt the tone, style and structure of your text to match your target audience.

AI tools for reformulating text

Many AI tools are available to help reformulate texts.

Here are some of the most popular:

QuillBot

QuillBot is an online paraphrasing tool that uses AI to rephrase whole sentences or paragraphs.

It offers several reformulation modes, such as “Standard”, “Creative”, or “Formal”, to suit different writing needs.

Spinbot

Spinbot is a free tool that automatically reformulates texts by proposing alternative words and phrases.

Although simple to use, it may lack precision for more complex texts.

Paraphrase Tool

This online tool uses machine learning to rewrite texts.

It offers suggestions for rewording while preserving the integrity and meaning of the original text.

Wordtune

Wordtune is a browser extension that uses AI to reformulate sentences in Google Docs or other online text editors.

It offers suggestions for improving text clarity and readability.

How to reformulate text with ChatGPT?

Creating a specific prompt is an exellent solution for reformulating text. You have complete control and will get excellent results if you create a well-constructed prompt.

Elements to include:

  • Role: Define the role of the AI
  • Action: Specify the expected action
  • Context: Give all necessary information about the original text and the purpose of the reformulation
  • Examples: Provide concrete examples of desired reformulations
  • Target audience: Specify the audience for which the reformulation is intended
  • Format: Specify desired output format or style

Give clear, detailed instructions. Always include examples of rephrasing to guide the AI.

Also specify the target audience and desired rewording style, and indicate the format (short sentences, bulleted list, subheadings, etc.) to ensure that the AI produces a text in line with your expectations.

Some examples to inspire you

Reformulation for students

Original text:‘Photosynthesis is a complex biochemical process that enables plants to convert light energy into chemical energy.’

Example rewording:‘Photosynthesis is a process by which plants use sunlight to make their own food.'”

Final Prompts: “As a French teacher, rephrase the passage below so that it is understandable to middle school students (3ème in France). Use simple vocabulary, short sentences, and avoid technical terms. The aim is to make the text accessible and easy to understand for a 14-year-old student.

This prompt is clear and complete. It provides precise instructions on the role, the context, and the expected reformulation format.

By explicitly indicating the students’ level and providing an example of reformulation, AI is guided to produce a suitable text.

This is an effective prompt model for pedagogical reformulations.

Reformulation for translation

Original text: ‘The company’s goal is to offer high-quality products at affordable prices.’

Example rewording: ‘The company’s goal is to offer high-quality products at affordable prices.'”

Final Prompts: “As a translator, rephrase the text below so that it retains its essence but is more fluid and natural in French. Adopt a fluent style, as if the text had been written directly in French, and avoid overly literal formulations.

This prompt is very well suited to translation tasks, as it specifies the objective (fluency and naturalness) and gives a concrete example of what is expected.

This helps the AI move away from an overly literal translation. It’s an excellent prompt for obtaining quality reformulations in translation context.

Creative reformulation

Original text: ‘Train travel allows you to discover new landscapes.’

Example rewording: ‘The train darts like a brush across an infinite canvas, revealing at every turn a changing tableau of wonders and distant horizons.’

Final Prompts: “As a professional writer, rewrite the following text, adding a poetic tone and metaphors, while retaining the original meaning. The text should be more engaging and convey a sense of escapism and inspiration.

This prompt invites the AI to a creative reformulation by clearly specifying the expected style (poetic and metaphorical).

The reformulation example is essential as it gives an idea of the level of creativity required. This prompt is well suited to literary or inspirational rewriting needs.

Technical reformulation

Original text:‘API (Application Programming Interface) allows different applications to communicate with each other using a specific set of rules and protocols.’

Example rewording:‘An API is a tool that allows different applications to work together following specific rules.’

Final Prompts: “As a technical writer, rephrase the explanation below to make it more concise and accessible to beginners. Use simple sentences and avoid overly technical terms. The aim is to make the information easy to understand, even for someone with no prior knowledge.

This prompt is precise and oriented towards an accessible result.

By clearly indicating that the text must be comprehensible to beginners and providing an example of simplification, it helps the AI target a suitable language level.

It’s an ideal prompt for making technical information more digestible.

The advantage of rephrasing content

Avoiding plagiarism

When you reformulate a text, AI helps you create a unique version, this is particularly useful for avoiding plagiarism, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Simplifying complex texts

AI can reformulate complex sentences into simpler, easier-to-understand versions, improving the readability and accessibility of your content.

Adapting tone and style

By modifying the tone and style of text, AI makes it possible to adapt to different audiences or formats, whether it’s a blog post, an email, or a professional presentation.

The limits of AI in reformulation

Lack of context

AI doesn’t always understand the overall context of a text, which can lead to inappropriate reformulations or changes that alter the original meaning.

Language nuances

The subtleties and nuances of language aren’t always captured by AI, especially when it comes to idiomatic expressions or puns

Human verification needed

It’s always essential to review and check the text reworded by the AI to make sure it matches the desired intent and tone.

Tips for effective reformulation with AI

  • Be clear about your objectives: Before you start, define what you want to achieve with reformulation (clarity, conciseness, style adaptation, etc.)
  • Test several tools: Each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses. Try different tools to find the one that best suits your needs.
  • Don’t forget the human touch: AI is an excellent assistant, but the human touch remains indispensable to ensure quality content.

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