Week16 -- How Writing Style Influences the Reception of My Wikipedia Contributions --WU WENHAO

WU WENHAO 2021080464

How Writing Style Influences the Reception of My Wikipedia Contributions (As a Non-Native Speaker)

Why would a perfectly sourced and factually accurate paragraph still get flagged or removed on Wikipedia?

That was the question I found myself asking recently. As a non-native English speaker, I had carefully drafted a contribution for the Real estate in China article, making sure my grammar was correct and my citations solid. But to my surprise, the section was reverted with a comment that it “sounded AI-generated.” That was confusing—and honestly, a bit discouraging.

The irony is: I did write it myself, but I also used an AI tool to help adjust the tone, especially to make my language more professional and formal. As a student, I’m still developing my writing voice, and AI has been incredibly helpful in checking sentence flow, fixing awkward phrasing, and offering synonyms that feel more academic. So yes, maybe it did sound too perfect. Too “machine-clean.” But that’s because I needed help sounding more like a native.

This raised a deeper question for me: what does “natural writing” even mean when English isn’t your first language? Wikipedia expects a neutral, accessible tone—but achieving that balance is actually harder for non-native editors like me. If I write too simply, it may seem unprofessional. If I use polished expressions suggested by AI tools, it may sound robotic or even suspicious.

It feels like a paradox: I'm using technology to improve my language skills and contribute more confidently—but at the same time, that very polish can lead others to think I'm not writing like a real person.

So what can I do?

Instead of aiming for perfection, I’ve started aiming for balance. I still use AI, but I now spend more time rewriting suggestions in my own voice. I read other high-quality Wikipedia articles—not just for information, but for rhythm, tone, and how ideas are connected. I ask myself: Does this sentence sound like something I would say in class? Would a native speaker write it this way, or is it over-edited?

This shift in mindset has helped. Now, when I contribute, I think less about how “impressive” the language is and more about how readable and natural it feels.

For me, Wikipedia editing isn’t just about sharing knowledge—it’s also about finding my own voice in a global conversation. And if I need AI to help me along the way, that’s not something to hide. It’s just part of how we learn, write, and grow—especially in a second language.

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