Content Research Writer

This skill helps create compelling, well-researched content in the user's authentic voice. It avoids "AI slop" by analyzing writing samples, conducting research, and providing proper citations.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user requests:

• Blog posts or articles
• Marketing content
• Newsletters or email campaigns
• Social media posts (Twitter/X, LinkedIn)
• Technical documentation with research
• Product announcements
• Case studies or whitepapers

Workflow

1. Understand the Request

Clarify:

• Topic: What is the content about?
• Purpose: Why is this being written? (educate, market, inform, persuade)
• Audience: Who will read this?
• Tone: Professional, casual, technical, conversational?
• Length: Word count or section structure?

2. Analyze Voice (If Available)

If the user provides reference writing samples:

• Read existing content carefully
• Identify:
  • Sentence structure patterns (short punchy vs long flowing)
  • Vocabulary level and word choices
  • Use of contractions, idioms, metaphors
  • Paragraph rhythm and pacing
  • How technical concepts are explained
  • Emotional tone and energy level
  • First person vs third person usage

3. Research Phase

Conduct thorough research:

• Use web search to find recent, relevant sources
• Look for:
  • Statistics and data points
  • Expert quotes and perspectives
  • Recent news or developments
  • Case studies or examples
  • Contrarian viewpoints
• Prioritize authoritative sources:
  • Academic papers
  • Industry reports
  • Official documentation
  • Reputable news outlets
  • Domain experts

4. Content Structure

Organize the content logically:

For Blog Posts:

1. Hook (compelling opening)
2. Problem/context
3. Main points (3-5 key ideas)
4. Supporting evidence with citations
5. Conclusion/call-to-action

For Newsletters:

1. Personal opening
2. Main story or insight
3. Supporting examples
4. Practical takeaway
5. Conversational close

For Technical Content:

1. Clear problem statement
2. Context and background
3. Solution approach
4. Implementation details
5. Results and implications

5. Writing Guidelines

Voice Authenticity:

• Match the user's established patterns
• Use their vocabulary and phrasing
• Mirror their sentence structure
• Maintain their level of formality
• Replicate their storytelling style

Research Integration:

• Cite sources naturally in the flow
• Use block quotes sparingly (only for impactful statements)
• Paraphrase research findings in the user's voice
• Include [citation] markers or footnotes
• Link to sources when relevant

Avoid AI Slop:

• ❌ Generic platitudes ("In today's digital landscape...")
• ❌ Overused transitions ("Moreover," "Furthermore," "Additionally")
• ❌ Buzzword soup without substance
• ❌ Robotic, formal language when user is casual
• ❌ Formulaic introductions and conclusions

Do:

• ✅ Start with a specific, concrete hook
• ✅ Use concrete examples and stories
• ✅ Include surprising insights or data
• ✅ Make strong, opinionated claims (when appropriate)
• ✅ End with memorable takeaways

6. Citation Format

Inline Citations:

According to a 2024 Stanford study, AI-assisted coding increased productivity by 126% [1].

Footnote Style:

The foreclosure market in Brevard County grew 23% year-over-year.¹

---
¹ Florida Realtors Association, Q4 2024 Report

Link Style:

Research from [Anthropic's Claude usage report](https://example.com) shows...

Special Use Cases

Marketing Content

For content designed to acquire customers:

• Focus on specific pain points
• Include social proof and results
• Use storytelling over feature lists
• End with clear next steps
• Research competitor messaging

Technical Documentation

For developer or technical content:

• Include code examples
• Explain "why" not just "how"
• Use proper technical terminology
• Research current best practices
• Cite official documentation

Thought Leadership

For establishing expertise:

• Take strong, defensible positions
• Use original insights
• Challenge conventional wisdom thoughtfully
• Support claims with research
• Use compelling narratives

Quality Checklist

Before delivering content, verify:

• Sounds like the user's authentic voice
• All factual claims are researched and cited
• Citations use reputable sources
• No generic "AI slop" phrasing
• Clear, compelling hook
• Logical flow and structure
• Actionable takeaways
• Appropriate length
• Proofread for errors

Examples

Example 1: Marketing Blog Post

User Request: "Write a blog post about why property management is important for real estate investors. Use my newsletter style."

Research:

• Find vacancy rate statistics
• Look up property management cost data
• Find case studies of investor success/failure
• Research time commitment data

Output Structure:

• Hook with specific scenario
• Personal insight/story
• 3-4 key benefits with data
• Real example or case study
• Practical next steps

Example 2: Technical Tutorial

User Request: "Write about implementing Stripe webhooks correctly. Match my technical writing style."

Research:

• Official Stripe documentation
• Common webhook implementation mistakes
• Security best practices
• Testing approaches

Output Structure:

• Problem: why webhooks fail
• Core concepts explanation
• Step-by-step implementation
• Testing and verification
• Production considerations

Example 3: Newsletter

User Request: "Write a newsletter about Claude skills using my voice."

Research:

• Latest Claude skills documentation
• Community examples
• Usage statistics if available
• Developer testimonials

Output Structure:

• Personal discovery story
• Concrete examples of value
• Specific how-to
• What to try next
• Conversational sign-off

Tips for Best Results

1. Provide reference samples: Share 2-3 examples of your writing
2. Specify tone explicitly: "Technical but accessible" vs "casual and punchy"
3. Indicate research needs: "Include stats" or "find case studies"
4. Set word count: Helps structure appropriately
5. Request citations: Be explicit if you want sources cited