ProWritingAid‘s AI Critique Report is a relatively new feature that you can run against your text. Harnessing the power of Artificial Non-Intelligence, this tool does a remarkable job. It goes far beyond PWA’s mechanical word-by word and line-by-line text analysis.
A limited version of the Critique Report is available to free users and the insights may tempt many to stump for a subscription. The restrictions limits the times you can run the report: “Usage 1/1 critiques used today. Upgrade for more.” It also redacts about half the available sections in the free version.
Disclaimers
PWA prefaces the report with the following disclaimer in case the current generation LLM goes nuts:
Disclaimer This critique has been generated by an AI model that has been guided by a human editor. The content is not intended as a replacement for a human beta reader or editor. It may contain errors or inaccuracies. ProWritingAid is not responsible for any harm that may result from the use of the content. If you find any content that is offensive or discriminatory, please report it to us.
Sense and Sensibilities
The body of the report is far more detailed than you expect of this kind of tool. PWA’s regular text checking is fraught with bad suggestions and misunderstandings. The complexity of English with its ambiguity and contrary rules is filled with linguistic landmines and PWA fails often. The Critique Report, however, achieves a whole other level of interpreting a block of text.
I fed it a random chapter from Book Two of my fantasy series and got the results below.
Everyone’s a Critic
The report contains a surprising level of insight.
Strengths
Vivid character interactions: The dialogue is sharp and reveals much about the characters’ personalities and relationships.
Compelling backstory: Hints of a rich past involving war, betrayal, and loss are woven skillfully into the present scene, creating intrigue.
Intriguing plot elements: The introduction of the Vipers, a dangerous mercenary group, adds a significant layer of suspense and foreshadows future conflict.
Well-developed characters: Each character has a distinct voice and personality, contributing to the scene’s dynamic.
Strong sense of place: The bustling marketplace setting is effectively used to create a sense of urgency and claustrophobia, especially as the threat of the Vipers looms.
Plot/Story
The scene unfolds as a reunion between Varla and Ava, an ex-lover from his wartime past. This encounter triggers a series of revelations about Varla’s history and his current relationships. The plot progresses through dialogue and reveals the threat of the Vipers, creating immediate tension and setting up future conflicts. The pacing is good; the reunion provides exposition while simultaneously building tension with the underlying threat. The events are logically connected, revealing information gradually.
Characters
The characters are well-developed, each with distinct personalities and motivations. Varla is haunted by his past but fiercely protective of his present companions. Ava is portrayed as complex, showing both fondness and pity for Varla while hinting at her own struggles. The supporting characters, such as Marto, Risto, and Jovanka, are also well-defined, adding depth to the group dynamic. Jaks’ naivety provides a contrasting viewpoint and comedic relief.
The comprehensive and cohesive analysis really demonstrates the promise (or threat) of these evolving ‘AI’ tools. Perhaps it’s confirmation bias, but I really wasn’t expecting to get this depth of analysis, framed so positively, from an automated LLM.
Redacted sections
In the free report, the following sections are redacted. And yes, I’m curious to see what PWA comes up with here. Even though I have confidence in the quality of my text.
- Tension
- Point of View
- Setting
- Style/Voice
- Clarity/Cohesion
- Writing Style
- Description
- Dialogue
- Mood
And there’s more
The report continues with further sections including some surprising suggestions. Bear in mind, I fed PWA a single chapter from a full length novel. It has no context for earlier or later episodes but raises some startlingly accurate points about plot and character.
Pacing
The pacing is excellent. The reunion with Ava provides crucial backstory and character development while simultaneously introducing the immediate threat of the Vipers. This blend of exposition and rising tension maintains reader engagement without feeling rushed.
Potential Improvements
Consider further developing Ava’s character. While her role in this scene is significant, exploring her motivations and future actions could add another layer to the story.
Expand on the history between Varla and the Vipers. The current threat is intriguing, but more details about their past conflicts would enhance the narrative’s impact.
Explore the potential consequences of Ava’s reunion with Varla further. Will she help or hinder them? Her uncertain stance could create more suspense.
Conclusion
This scene demonstrates strong writing skills in character development, dialogue, and plot construction. The tension is expertly built, and the setting and pacing contribute significantly to the overall effectiveness. With a few minor refinements, this scene could serve as a compelling section within a larger, gripping fantasy novel. The scene ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting more. Getting to work on these improvements will only enhance the already strong foundation of this piece!
Welcome to our Robot Overlords
PWA’s Critique Report provided overwhelmingly good news backed by solid analysis. It’s no less than a five-star gold report card. Cue author’s smug grin of satisfaction. Given PWA wants your monthly subscription, how far is it biased to tell you you’re a literary genius? What kind of report will I get if I feed it some garbage first draft? How harsh or truthful a critic will it be?
Looking ahead, is this a first glimpse into the future of editorial services? PWA compiled the report so fast, there’s no way a human had any input to this. And yet it’s as good, if not better than most of the editorial feedback I’ve ever had. Is it qualitatively accurate? Does it align with living, breathing professionals? And will that matter in a few years’ time? Is the human editor on the extinction list? Welcome to the brave new world…