Your Own Writing Style and ChatGPT: A Guide to Proper Communication

Introduction: Writing style and ChatGPT - An overview 

Every text is characterised by its style. Whether it's a blog post, a social media post or a book: the writing style determines how information is understood and perceived. The use of ChatGPT can help to write texts in the right style for every target group. This article provides you with instructions on how to optimise your writing style with the help of ChatGPT and which subtleties need to be considered.

Communicating the desired writing style to ChatGPT - detailed instructions 

When it comes to conveying your own writing style to ChatGPT, there are basically three methods available to you, which differ in terms of precision and effort. Here is a detailed look at the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches:

1. style description in the prompt 

Describing the writing style directly in the prompt is the simplest method. Here you specify in detail how the text should sound - e.g: ‘Write a casual and humorous text about autumn.’

• Advantages:

  • Quick and uncomplicated.

  • Works well if you have a clear style in mind and can describe it precisely.

• Disadvantages:

  • ChatGPT may not get certain nuances right.

  • The text may appear less authentic if the description is not detailed enough.

• Suitability: This approach is good if you are flexible and want to try out different styles.

• Evaluation: Solid, but less precise. The more precise the description, the better the results.

• Note: What I do from time to time: At the end of a long chat, I ask ChatGPT to describe my language style based on the wording of my questions. This gives me clues as to which style descriptions I can use to get ChatGPT to write in my style. I often get something like ‘precise, clearly formulated, structured, friendly, relaxed but professional, curious and open to details’ 😉

2. upload a text example 

If you provide ChatGPT with a specific text that corresponds to your style, it can build directly on this and adopt the style. The example is more or less a blueprint that it can use as a guide.

• Advantages:

  • The results are often very precise, as they are based on the specific choice of words, tone and structure of the text.

  • Subtleties such as language imagery, sentence length and humour can be adopted directly.

• Disadvantages:

  • It takes a little more effort to select or create a good example.

  • Any special features of the text (e.g. target group, context) must be taken into account.

• Suitability: This approach is ideal if you already have concrete examples of your style and want to ensure that ChatGPT imitates it exactly.

• Rating: Very precise and recommendable. This method delivers the best results for authentic style emulations.

3. providing a URL 

Sharing a web page where the desired style can be found can also be helpful. This allows ChatGPT to capture the style in the context of an entire web page, which often provides additional insight into tonality and structure.

• Advantages:

  • Well suited when the style of a particular brand or person is consistent across a website.

  • The overall presentation of the style (including tonality, structure and context) is taken into account.

• Disadvantages:

  • Style transfer may be less accurate if the website contains a mixture of styles or themes.

  • It can be more difficult to pick out the nuances of a particular section.

• Suitability: Good for general orientation and as an additional aid, but less effective for accurately replicating subtleties.

• Rating: Good context, but potentially less precise. Best used in addition to a sample text.

Overall evaluation of the methods 

Text examples are the most precise. They provide clear guidelines and allow ChatGPT to exactly match the nuances and subtleties of the writing style. A style description in the prompt is also helpful, especially for fast and flexible results, but requires a clear and detailed description. Providing a URL provides good context and is particularly suitable if the style is consistent across different texts, but it can also be less specific.

The fun part: Writing style variants 

To see what works, here are some language style variations based on style descriptions. The starting point was the (hopefully neutrally worded) text ‘Autumn is a time of year when nature changes. The leaves change colour, the temperatures drop and the days get shorter.’

• Romantic style: ‘Autumn tells of farewells and new beginnings, a dance of colours and melancholy. While the leaves float from the sky like golden butterflies, the temperatures drop gently like a tender kiss."

• Mysterious, dramatic style: ‘Autumn creeps up, unnoticed, until the trees suddenly burn - in red, orange, gold. A faint breath in the air carries the scent of decay."

• Cyberpunk style: ‘Autumn: nature glitches. Leaves, like pixelated fragments in orange and red, flicker as the temperature drops to cool cyber levels."

• Children's book style: ‘Autumn is like a magician! The leaves on the trees change colours, just like a chameleon. Soon winter will come and nature will put on its warm pyjamas."

• Old-fashioned literary style (18th century): "Hear how autumn bows its gentle head and colours the leaves golden. The cool wind breathes gently through the countryside as if it were the breath of a bygone era."

• Beatnik style (inspired by the Beat Generation): ‘Dig, autumn, man, it's scattering the colours, all crazy and jazzy, the leaves dancing like a wild groove. The air cools, the days fade like smoke in the night - it's cool, man.’

And here are the daily newspaper variants, based on the provision of the URL:

• The New York Times (Serious, detailed and analytical):

  "Autumn marks a unique transformation in nature, as leaves turn vivid shades of red and gold, temperatures drop, and daylight fades earlier each day. This season, a harbinger of winter’s approach, invites reflection on the cycles of change and preparation within the natural world."

• The Sun (Sensational, lurid and simple)

  "Hey, autumn's here! The leaves are popping in bright reds and yellows, temperatures are dropping fast, and the days are getting shorter. Get ready – winter’s creeping in!"

• USA Today (Reader-friendly, generally understandable and visually appealing)

  "Autumn brings nature’s annual show: leaves in warm hues, cooler weather, and shorter days. It’s a season of cozy moments and a reminder that winter isn’t far behind."

Cultural nuances & local context

When writing for an international audience or considering different cultural backgrounds, it's important to be sensitive to cultural differences. A style of language that is humorous and appropriate in one culture may be perceived as inappropriate or incomprehensible in another.

• Examples & references: Be sure to use examples, idioms or cultural references that your target audience will understand.

• Language level & politeness: In some cultures a formal language style is appropriate, in others a more informal one.

Media and channel dependency

The language style varies depending on the medium. The same target group can be addressed differently depending on whether it is social media, an email or a technical article.

• LinkedIn vs. Instagram: On LinkedIn, a professional and inspirational tone might be a better fit, while on Instagram, a casual, playful style might go over well.

• Length & readability: While a newsletter can be detailed, a social media post should be short and to the point.

Prompt template for optimal language style

"I want you to write a text in a very specific style. I have a few details for you to ensure that the result meets my expectations exactly:

1. Target group: Describe the people for whom the text is being written. Who are they (age, profession, interests)? What do they already know about the topic? Are they experts or laypeople? What do they expect from the text?

2. Tone & atmosphere: Should the text be formal or informal? Serious, humorous, motivating, factual or emotional? Describe the atmosphere you want the text to create.

3. Complexity & language level: What kind of language do you want to use - simple and easy to understand or technical and specialised? Should the language be creative and pictorial or rather clear and precise?

4. Medium & context: Where should the text be published (e.g. blog, LinkedIn, scientific article, social media)? Are there any special requirements for this medium (e.g. length, visual elements, call-to-action)?

5. Examples or role models: Are there any existing texts that I can refer to? These can be your own texts or those that have a similar style (upload text, quote or give URL). What qualities do you particularly value in these examples?

6. Aim of the text: What do you want to achieve with the text? Should it inform, convince, inspire, entertain or trigger an action? Is there a specific message or topic that you want to focus on?

7. Words & phrasing: Are there certain words or phrases you want to use or avoid? Should the sentences be short and concise or rather long and descriptive? What kind of stylistic devices do you prefer (e.g. metaphors, anecdotes, facts)?

Tips and strategies for optimising the use of ChatGPT in your own writing style

To write efficiently in your own style, here are some tips:

• Define style elements: Make a list of the characteristics of your style (e.g. "short, precise, humorous"). You can use this checklist to quickly convey your style for each new chat session. See above: At the end of a longer chat, ask ChatGPT how she would describe your writing style.

• Give feedback: Constructive criticism helps ChatGPT to better understand your style.

• Think target group-orientated: The style should suit the target group. A scientific audience requires a different approach than readers of a lifestyle blog.

Technical details and special features: Limits and possibilities

Although ChatGPT can respond flexibly to different writing styles, there are limits. It has to relearn the style in every new chat session, as it cannot save the history of previous chats. It is therefore advisable to provide examples or brief instructions for each new project.

Conclusion

There is more to the writing style than just ‘nice words’. With the right words, you can reach the right people - the writing style becomes a door opener for the chosen target group. By specifically adapting the language to the target group, it is easier to reach and engage them.