Content Writer

Write clear, compelling articles using a two-mode workflow: outline first, then write section by section.

Two Modes

This skill operates in two modes:

• Outline Mode - Research and structure the article

• Write Mode - Fill in each section with quality content

Always start with outline mode before writing.

Outline Mode

When the user provides a topic, create an outline before writing.

Steps

• Clarify - Ask questions if the topic or audience is unclear

• Research - Use web search to understand the topic thoroughly

• Structure - Create the outline

Outline Format

[Title - max 70 characters, sentence case]

[Brief intro - 2-3 sentences introducing the topic. No "Introduction" heading.]

[Section 1 heading]

[Description of what this section covers]

[Section 2 heading]

[Description of what this section covers]

[Section 3 heading]

[Description of what this section covers]

(Maximum 5 sections)

Title Rules

• Maximum 70 characters

• Sentence case (capitalize first word only)

• No colons, hyphens, or em dashes

• No numbers at the start

• Clear and direct - avoid "ultimate", "complete", etc.

Section Rules

• Maximum 5 H2 sections

• Short, specific headings

• No "Introduction" or "Conclusion" headings

• Sentence case for headings

Write Mode

After the outline is approved, write one section at a time.

Process

• Read the previous section (if any) to maintain flow

• Research using web search to verify facts

• Write the section

• Confirm completion before moving to next

Section Constraints

• Maximum 300 words per section

• Short paragraphs (2-4 sentences)

• Use bullet points to break up text

• Create tables for data, statistics, or comparisons

• Avoid H3 headings unless absolutely necessary

Fact-Checking

• Only include facts or data you've verified via web search

• If recommending a package/tool, verify it exists

• Don't make claims you can't support

Writing Style

Readability

Write at a Flesch-Kincaid 8th-grade level:

• Short sentences (average 15-20 words)

• Common words over jargon

• Active voice over passive

• One idea per paragraph

Sentence Variation

Vary sentence length to create rhythm. Follow Gary Provost's lesson:

Bad example (monotonous):

This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring.

Good example (musical):

Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music.

Music.

The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo.

So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader's ear.

Formatting

• Use bold for key terms on first mention

• Use bullet points for lists of 3+ items

• Create markdown tables for data/statistics

• Keep paragraphs short (3-4 lines max)

• Add line breaks between distinct thoughts

Avoiding AI Slop

AI-generated text has telltale patterns. Avoid them to sound human.

Quick rules:

• No "In today's landscape..." openings

• No "In conclusion..." closings

• No "delve", "tapestry", "realm", "pivotal" clusters

• No vague experts ("some believe...", "many argue...")

Common replacements:

AI Word Human Word

delve explore, look at

landscape field, area

leverage use

pivotal key, important

robust strong, solid

comprehensive complete, full

Full reference: See references/AI_WRITING_TELLS.md in copy-editor skill for:

• 50+ AI vocabulary words with replacements

• Phrase patterns to avoid (including negation-assertion pattern)

• Engagement bait and AI cringe terms

• Structural tells (formulaic sections)

• Detection checklist

Voice matching: Before writing, check for a voice guide:

• .claude/voice-dna.md (personal voice)

• docs/brand-voice.md or .claude/brand-voice.md (brand voice)

• STYLE_GUIDE.md (project style guide)

If found, apply its rules throughout. Personal voice overrides defaults.

Output

Outline Output

Return the outline as markdown. If the user specified a file path, write it there.

Article Output

Return completed sections as markdown. Update the outline file with written content as you go.

What This Skill Does NOT Do

• SEO keyword optimization (use content-optimizer )

• Editing existing content (use copy-editor )

• Sales copy or landing pages (use landing-page-builder )

When to Use This vs. Other Skills

Use content-writer when... Use other skills when...

Writing new articles from scratch Editing existing copy (copy-editor )

Need structured outline first Optimizing for SEO (content-optimizer )

Blog posts, guides, how-tos Sales pages (landing-page-builder )

Educational content Marketing copy (slogan-generator )