writing-article-plan

name	writing-article-plan
description	Use when you have an approved topic brief. Creates detailed article outline with section structure, key points, word counts, and research needs before writing.

Writing Article Plans

Overview

Write comprehensive article outlines that break writing into manageable sections. Document everything needed: section themes, key points, supporting evidence, transitions, word counts. Assume the writer will execute this section-by-section with minimal context switching.

Announce at start: "I'm using the writing-article-plan skill to create the article outline."

Context: This should follow an approved topic brief from the brainstorming skill.

Save plans to: docs/writing/YYYY-MM-DD-<topic>-plan.md

Section Granularity

Each section is one focused piece (150-400 words):

• Introduction: Hook + thesis
• Body Section 1: One key argument
• Body Section 2: Another key argument
• Body Section 3: Third key argument
• Conclusion: Summary + call to action

Why this size? Long enough to develop an idea, short enough to write in one sitting (15-30 minutes).

Plan Document Header

Every plan MUST start with this header:

# [Article Title] - Writing Plan

> **For Claude:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use document-superpowers:executing-article-plan to write this article section-by-section.

**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD

**Audience:** [target readers from brief]

**Goal:** [what readers should think/do after reading]

**Total Length:** [target word count]

**Tone:** [formal/casual/technical/conversational]

**Core Message:** [one sentence from brief]

---

Section Structure

## Section N: [Section Title] (target: XXX words)

**Purpose:** [What this section achieves in the article's argument]

**Key Points:**
1. [First key point with supporting detail]
2. [Second key point with example/evidence]
3. [Transition to next section]

**Supporting Evidence:**
- [Statistic/study/quote with source]
- [Example/case study]
- [Data point]

**Tone Notes:**
[Any specific style guidance for this section]

**Transitions:**
- **From previous:** [How this connects to prior section]
- **To next:** [How this leads into next section]

**Research Needed:**
- [ ] Find statistic for claim X
- [ ] Locate example of Y
- [ ] Verify quote from Z

**Self-Check Questions:**
- Does this support the core message?
- Is the logic clear and well-supported?
- Does it flow naturally from the previous section?

Complete Plan Template

# [Article Title] - Writing Plan

> **For Claude:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use document-superpowers:executing-article-plan

**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Audience:** [target readers]
**Goal:** [desired outcome]
**Total Length:** [word count]
**Tone:** [style]
**Core Message:** [one sentence]

---

## Article Structure Overview

1. **Introduction** (150 words) - Hook + thesis
2. **Section 1** (300 words) - First key argument
3. **Section 2** (300 words) - Second key argument
4. **Section 3** (300 words) - Third key argument
5. **Conclusion** (150 words) - Summary + CTA

Total: ~1200 words

---

## Section 1: Introduction (150 words)

**Purpose:** Hook readers and present the core message clearly

**Key Points:**
1. Opening hook (question/statistic/story)
2. Why this matters to the reader
3. Thesis statement (core message)
4. Brief roadmap of what's coming

**Supporting Evidence:**
- [Compelling statistic or example for hook]

**Tone Notes:**
Start strong - grab attention immediately

**Transitions:**
- **To next:** Lead into first key argument

**Research Needed:**
- [ ] Find attention-grabbing opening statistic

**Self-Check Questions:**
- Does the hook grab attention in the first sentence?
- Is the thesis clear and compelling?
- Will readers want to keep reading?

---

[Repeat for each section...]

---

## Research Summary

**Priority 1 (Must Have):**
- [ ] [Critical source/data point]

**Priority 2 (Should Have):**
- [ ] [Supporting example]

**Priority 3 (Nice to Have):**
- [ ] [Additional context]

---

## Style Guidelines

**Do:**
- Use active voice
- Keep paragraphs under 4 sentences
- Include concrete examples
- [Specific style preferences]

**Avoid:**
- Jargon without explanation
- Long-winded sentences
- Vague generalizations
- [Specific things to avoid]

Remember

• Each section has clear purpose and word target
• All claims need supporting evidence
• Transitions connect sections smoothly
• Research checklist prevents mid-writing gaps
• Style guidelines ensure consistency

Execution Handoff

After saving the plan, ask about research before offering execution choice:

"Article plan complete and saved to docs/writing/<filename>.md.

Before writing, would you like to search and organize reference materials first?

1. Yes, research first - Search for supporting articles, data, and images for each section before writing

2. No, start writing directly - Proceed to execution without a dedicated research step

Which approach?"

If Research chosen:

• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use document-superpowers:research-gathering
• Stay in this session
• Research skill will handle the execution handoff after materials are compiled

If No Research chosen, offer execution choice:

"Two execution options:

1. Subagent-Driven (this session) - I dispatch fresh subagent per section, review between sections, iterate quickly

2. Batch Execution (focused writing) - Write all sections with checkpoints after every 2-3 sections

Which approach?"

If Subagent-Driven chosen:

• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use document-superpowers:subagent-driven-writing
• Stay in this session
• Fresh subagent per section + content review

If Batch Execution chosen:

• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use document-superpowers:executing-article-plan
• Stay in this session
• Write sections in batches with human checkpoints

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing the plan, verify:

• Every section has a clear purpose
• Word counts add up to target length (±10%)
• Transitions between sections are logical
• Research needs are identified upfront
• Style guidelines match the brief's tone
• Each section has self-check questions