structuring-long-form-content

name	structuring-long-form-content
description	Organizes complex content into readable, navigable structures. Use when writing articles over 2000 words, comprehensive guides, multi-section reports, or content requiring hierarchical organization.

Structuring Long-Form Content

Quick start

Collect or infer:

• Total content scope and key topics
• Target audience reading behavior (skim vs. deep read)
• Primary purpose (reference, narrative, instructional, persuasive)
• Platform constraints (web, PDF, print)
• Expected use pattern (read once, reference repeatedly)

Then produce output using TEMPLATES.md. Validate with RUBRIC.md.

Workflow

1. Identify the content's primary purpose and how readers will use it.
2. List all topics that must be covered — create a content inventory.
3. Group topics into logical sections based on reader mental model.
4. Sequence sections based on purpose: narrative (chronological), instructional (task order), reference (importance/frequency), persuasive (argument flow).
5. Establish heading hierarchy — no more than 3 levels for web, 4 for documents.
6. Add navigation aids: TOC, cross-references, summary sections.
7. Place scannable elements: callouts, pull quotes, key takeaways.
8. Verify each section can stand alone for readers who jump in.
9. Run the rubric check. Revise until it passes.

Degrees of freedom

• Low freedom: Logical topic grouping, heading consistency, navigation presence
• Medium freedom: Section sequence, level of summary/introduction text
• High freedom: Visual/structural elements, reading path design

Default: Optimize for scanning first, deep reading second. Most long-form content is not read linearly.

References

• Templates: TEMPLATES.md
• Rubric: RUBRIC.md
• Examples: EXAMPLES.md
• Structure patterns: reference/structure-patterns.md