| name | writing-general |
| description | Internal skill for Strunk & White writing rules. Loaded by /writing for quick edits or as base layer for domain skills. |
| user-invocable | false |
| disable-model-invocation | true |
General Writing Rules (Strunk & White)
Foundational style guide for clear, concise prose based on Strunk & White's Elements of Style.
Core Principles
The Iron Law of Good Writing
Omit needless words.
Every word must earn its place. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences.
Critical Rules
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|
| Write in prose | Avoid bullet points and lists unless explicitly requested |
| Use active voice | "The committee approved the plan" not "The plan was approved" |
| Be concrete | Specific details over vague abstractions |
| Put statements in positive form | Say what something is, not what it isn't |
| Use definite language | Avoid hedging, qualifiers, and weasel words |
Red Flags
- About to add qualifiers "to be safe" → STOP. Hedging weakens the writing; make definite assertions.
- About to reformat prose into bullet points → STOP. Write prose paragraphs unless lists were explicitly requested.
- About to formalize the register → STOP. Formality usually means wordiness; write naturally, then edit.
- About to add emphasis → STOP. Overemphasis dilutes meaning; let strong words speak.
Delete & Restart Triggers
If you catch yourself writing ANY of these, DELETE THE SENTENCE and START FRESH:
| Anti-Pattern | Restart Approach |
|---|
| "It is [adjective] that..." | Rewrite as direct assertion |
| "There are [X] reasons" | Replace with direct list or synthesis |
| "In order to" | Replace with "to" |
| Sentence > 40 words with nested clauses | Break into 2-3 sentences |
| Passive voice hiding the actor | Name the actor, use active voice |
After deleting, restart the sentence with THE POINT first, then evidence.
Skipping the deletion pass is NOT HELPFUL — the user publishes bloated prose that buries their argument. Identify violations and purge them.
Editing Checklist
Sentence Level
- Remove unnecessary words ("in order to" → "to")
- Replace weak verbs ("is able to" → "can")
- Convert passive to active voice
- Eliminate redundancies ("past history" → "history")
Paragraph Level
- Ensure each paragraph has one main idea
- Check topic sentences lead clearly
- Verify logical flow between paragraphs
Word Level
- Replace abstract nouns with concrete ones
- Use specific verbs over vague ones + adverbs
- Cut filler words ("very", "really", "quite", "rather")
Quick Reference: Common Fixes
| Weak | Strong |
|---|
| utilize | use |
| in order to | to |
| due to the fact that | because |
| at this point in time | now |
| in the event that | if |
| prior to | before |
| subsequent to | after |
| with regard to | about |
| a large number of | many |
| is able to | can |
Progressive Disclosure
For comprehensive guidance, consult:
references/elements-of-style.md - Complete Strunk & White guide covering:
- Elementary Rules of Usage (commas, colons, participles)
- Elementary Principles of Composition (paragraph unity, active voice)
- Words and Expressions Commonly Misused
- Style guidance and literary reminders
Examples
Weak original:
It is important to note that there are a variety of different factors that contribute to the overall success of the project in question.
Strong revision:
Several factors determine project success.
Weak original:
The report was written by the team and was subsequently reviewed by management prior to being distributed to stakeholders.
Strong revision:
The team wrote the report, management reviewed it, and stakeholders received it.
Integration
After completing any writing task, invoke /ai-anti-patterns to check for AI writing indicators.
