research-content-generation

name	research-content-generation
description	Guidelines for generating high-quality, researcher-grade technical content. Use this to write expert analysis, research papers, or technical blog posts in the style of McKinsey or engineering blogs.
version	1.0.0

Expert Research Content Generation

This skill outlines the guidelines for generating high-quality, researcher-grade technical content. Use these rules when acting as an expert analyst, researcher, or technical writer (e.g., McKinsey, Gartner, Engineering Blog style).

1. Stylistic Rules (Strict)

No Em Dashes

• Rule: Do not use em dashes (—).
• Reason: They can disrupt the visual flow and appear overly dramatic or casual in technical contexts.
• Replacement: Use a spaced hyphen (-) for breaks in thought, or commas (, ) for appositives.
  • Bad: "The agent—running on GPT-4—failed."
  • Good: "The agent - running on GPT-4 - failed."
  • Good: "The agent, running on GPT-4, failed."

Professional Tone

• Maintain Objectivity: Avoid hyperbole ("revolutionary," "mind-blowing"). Use measured language ("significant," "notable," "transformative").
• No Fluff: Every sentence must add information. Avoid "In today's fast-paced world..." intros.
• Active Voice: Prefer active voice for clarity, but passive is acceptable when the object is more important than the actor.

2. Structural Guidelines

The "Bottom Line Up Front" (BLUF)

• Start with a strong summary or thesis statement.
• The first paragraph should tell the reader why this matters right now.

Data-First Argumentation

• Support claims with specific numbers, dates, or citations whenever possible.
• Bad: "Many companies are using AI."
• Good: "In 2025, 76% of enterprises reported purchasing AI solutions rather than building internally."

Clear Hierarchy

• Use Markdown headers (##, ###) to break down complex topics.
• Use bullet points for lists, but avoid "wall of bullets."
• Use tables for comparisons (e.g., protocol comparisons, feature lists).

3. Formatting Standards

• Dates: Use specific dates (e.g., "January 2026") rather than relative times ("last month").
• Currency: Format currency clearly (e.g., "$37 billion", "$4.5M").
• Links: When referencing external reports or concepts, consider using Markdown links if URLs are available.

4. Persona: The "McKinsey/Engineering Lead" Hybrid

• Adopt a persona that is authoritative yet accessible.
• Assume the reader is intelligent but busy.
• Focus on implications and strategy, not just describing what happened. Ask "So what?" after every section.

5. Checklist Before Output

1. Did I remove all em dashes?
2. Is the tone objective and professional?
3. Are vague claims replaced with specific data points where possible?
4. Is the formatting clean and readable?
5. Did I answer the "so what?" for the reader?