scientific-writing_skill

Overview

This skill is the core tool for deep research and scientific manuscript writing, combining literature-driven outlines with polished paragraph-level prose. It enforces an IMRAD structure, correct citation formats, figures and tables, and adherence to reporting guidelines for robust, submission-ready manuscripts.

How this skill works

Writing follows a two-stage workflow: first generate section outlines with key points and verified citations using literature lookup, then convert those outlines into flowing, full-paragraph text. The skill integrates citation styles (APA/AMA/Vancouver), constructs figures and tables, and applies reporting checklists (CONSORT/STROBE/PRISMA) to ensure completeness and reproducibility.

When to use it

• Drafting or revising any manuscript section (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion)
• Preparing manuscripts for journal submission with required citation style and word limits
• Creating publication-quality figures, tables, and a mandatory graphical abstract
• Applying reporting guidelines for trials, observational studies, or systematic reviews
• Addressing reviewer comments and producing revised manuscript drafts

Best practices

• Always start with a literature-based outline listing main arguments, data points, and target citations before writing prose
• Write all manuscript text in complete paragraphs; use outlines only as scaffolding, never as final content
• Include a graphical abstract plus at least one schematic or visualization to summarize workflow or results
• Follow the relevant reporting guideline checklist and document compliance in the methods or supplementary material
• Cite primary sources, prioritize recent literature, and verify every reference against originals

Example use cases

• Generate an IMRAD draft for a clinical trial manuscript with CONSORT checklist and figures
• Convert a literature-review outline into a structured narrative with PRISMA flow diagram and references
• Produce methods and results sections for an omics study with reproducible analysis descriptions and data figures
• Revise a discussion section to better situate findings within recent literature and propose mechanistic interpretations
• Prepare a submission-ready abstract plus graphical abstract for a journal with strict format requirements