| 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:
