The Rise of the AI Writing Style Debate
AI writing style is under the spotlight. As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and others grow more advanced, readers and critics are trying to find ways to tell AI writing apart from human writing. One unexpected suspect? The em dash — a punctuation mark long loved by human writers for its versatility.
Some people online are convinced that an overuse of em dashes is a telltale sign that a piece was written by AI. The theory has gained traction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, where users point to long-winded sentences broken up with — you guessed it — em dashes.
But not everyone agrees with that idea. In fact, many professional writers argue that blaming the em dash is both inaccurate and unfair. Let’s break down where this theory came from, what writers really think, and whether the AI writing style can truly be spotted by something as small as punctuation.
What Is an Em Dash — And Why the Fuss?
Before diving into the debate, let’s understand what an em dash is. It’s a punctuation mark (—) used to indicate a pause, add extra information, or create emphasis in a sentence. It’s longer than a hyphen (-) and more versatile than a comma or parentheses.
Here’s an example:
“She knew the truth — but she kept it to herself.”
In this case, the em dash adds dramatic pause and emphasis. Writers love using it for its flexibility. But now, critics argue that AI writing tools use it a bit too much — and that’s raising eyebrows.
Where the Theory Came From
Social media is full of hot takes, and the idea that em dashes signal AI writing started gaining traction around late 2023. Influencers and content reviewers began sharing screenshots of AI-generated articles, pointing out patterns like frequent em dash usage, overly smooth sentence transitions, and lack of emotional depth.
Some users on Reddit joked that AI “writes like someone who discovered the em dash last week and is obsessed.” Others began developing their own tests — looking at sentence rhythm, tone, and punctuation — in hopes of catching AI red-handed.
Soon, the theory became viral. But is it really true?
Writers Push Back: “That’s Just Good Writing”
Professional writers, especially those in journalism, literature, and blogging, have stepped in to defend the em dash. For them, it’s not a machine quirk — it’s just part of their toolkit.
“I’ve been using em dashes for years,” says Maya Ellis, a fiction writer and editor. “They’re great for pacing and emotion. It’s ridiculous to suggest only AI uses them.”
She’s not alone. Many writers say that the AI writing style is not as easy to pin down as people think. Human writers often use em dashes intentionally — to add style, tone, or rhythm — not because they lack creativity.
Even academic and news articles are filled with em dashes. It’s a normal part of written English, especially in informal or narrative styles. So, if em dashes are common in human writing, how did they become a red flag?
Why AI Likes the Em Dash (But So Do Humans)
AI tools like ChatGPT are trained on massive amounts of human writing. That includes novels, essays, blog posts, and more — all filled with punctuation like em dashes. So when AI generates content, it mimics what it’s learned.
That means em dash usage isn’t a bug — it’s a feature based on human writing habits.
However, AI does tend to lean toward sentence structures that feel “neat.” It likes symmetrical phrasing, soft transitions, and balanced punctuation. That can sometimes result in a pattern where em dashes show up more than usual. But again, this is more about training data than the AI trying to signal anything.
Other Signs of AI Writing Style — It’s Not Just the Em Dash
While the em dash gets all the attention, it’s not the only possible sign of AI writing style. Experts and readers have pointed out other clues that may suggest a piece is AI-generated:
- Overly polished tone: AI tends to avoid slang, contractions, or strong opinions unless asked to include them.
- Lack of personal experience: AI can’t draw from real-life stories, so its writing may feel detached or generic.
- Repetitive structures: AI often uses similar sentence patterns, transitions, and paragraph formats.
- Vague phrasing: Instead of bold claims, AI may default to safe, neutral language.
Even so, none of these are foolproof. Human writers also repeat phrases, use generic terms, and write polished content — especially when trying to sound professional.
Can You Really Spot AI by Its Style?
It’s becoming harder and harder to tell AI and human writing apart. That’s especially true when the content is edited, rewritten, or guided by prompts that make it sound more natural.
Many tools claim to detect AI content, but their accuracy is questionable. A writer might be flagged for AI use just because they wrote in a clear, structured way — or used too many em dashes.
In fact, this has become a major concern in education and publishing. Students have been wrongly accused of using AI. Freelancers have had their original work dismissed because it “sounded like ChatGPT.” All of this points to the need for more thoughtful, fair ways to evaluate writing.
Human Creativity vs. Machine Efficiency
One thing is clear: AI writing style isn’t about one punctuation mark — it’s about patterns. And while AI can mimic language impressively well, it still struggles with originality, emotion, and deep insight.
That’s where human creativity shines.
Writers know when to break rules, how to connect emotionally, and when to surprise the reader. AI, for now, mostly follows the patterns it’s seen before.
So while AI tools are useful — especially for brainstorming or drafting — they’re not replacing human writers anytime soon. And the em dash? It’s just a tool, not a traitor.
Embracing the Em Dash — Without Fear
Rather than fear the em dash, maybe it’s time we embrace it again. It’s a useful piece of punctuation that helps writers create rhythm, drama, and clarity. Blaming it for AI’s rise doesn’t make much sense.
The focus should be on the bigger picture: Is the writing original? Insightful? Valuable to the reader?
If so, it doesn’t matter whether it came from a person or a machine — or how many em dashes it uses.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Judge a Writer by Their Em Dash
As the debate around AI writing style continues, it’s clear that spotting AI-generated content isn’t as easy as counting punctuation marks. The em dash may be getting unfairly targeted — but in truth, it’s just another tool that both humans and AI can use well or poorly.
Instead of obsessing over small stylistic clues, maybe we should focus on what really matters: the quality, authenticity, and purpose of the writing. After all, writing is about communication — and good writing, no matter the source, still deserves to be read.
Also Read – Meta Whistleblower Testimony: Silenced Insider Now Speaks to Congress
