Choose the edit that solves the real problem

Rewriting changes wording, structure, or both. Humanizing focuses on the signals that make a draft feel impersonal: generic examples, predictable rhythm, and a missing point of view. The two practices overlap but serve different purposes.

Use a rewrite when the argument is unclear or the order is wrong. Use humanization when the meaning is sound but the voice feels distant. In both cases, preserve facts and verify that the revision still answers the reader’s question.