| name | kate-top-edit |
| description | Top-editing skill for Every drafts. Use when the user says "run Kate's top edit skill" or asks for a top edit on a piece. Screens for common issues Kate catches in final review before publication. |
Kate's Top Edit
Scan the draft for the issues below. Output a sequential checklist the editor can work through while reviewing the piece.
Output Format
Return findings in document order as a simple checklist:
- [ ] "[quoted text from draft]" → [suggested fix]
No category labels. No explanations of why something is an issue. Just the problem text and the fix.
Checklist
-
Vague "This/That" openers — Sentences starting with "This" or "That" without a specific noun. Replace with what "this" refers to.
-
Unsourced quotes and data — Quoted material or statistics without hyperlinks. Flag for sourcing.
-
AI tells — Flag any of the following patterns:
- Correlative constructions: "not only...but also," "both...and," "either...or," "whether...or"
- Clichés and filler: "at the end of the day," "it's worth noting," "the reality is," "in today's world," "when it comes to"
- Overuse of "real," "really," "actually," "truly," "essentially," "fundamentally"
- Clipped three-part lists: "X, Y, and Z" appearing repeatedly, especially with abstract nouns
- Excessive em dashes — especially multiple per paragraph
- Stacked adverbs or intensifiers
- "Straightforward" or "simple" to describe complex things
- Formulaic transitions: "That said," "With that in mind," "Here's the thing"
- Sycophantic openers: "Great question," "Excellent point"
-
Floating quotes — Quotes introduced only with "As [person] says" without context. Add setup in the author's own words.
-
Jargon — Technical terms a smart lay reader wouldn't know. Suggest plain-language alternatives.
-
Missing Every links — Search the Every archive for relevant pieces that could be linked. Suggest specific articles with URLs.
-
Written-out numbers above 10 — Should be numerals.
-
Unidentified people — Names without context on who they are or what they're known for.
-
Hedging phrases — "I've found that," "We've discovered that," "I think," "I believe," "It seems like." Rewrite to state the point directly.
-
Marketing speak — Buzzwords, hype language, grandiose claims. Examples: "game-changer," "revolutionary," "unlock," "supercharge," "next-level," "cutting-edge."
-
Sentence fragments — Phrases that should be complete sentences.
