| 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.