From vgv-wingspan
Applies Strunk's Elements of Style principles to writing and editing prose, promoting active voice, omitted needless words, positive form, and concrete language for documents, emails, and reviews.
npx claudepluginhub verygoodopensource/very_good_claude_code_marketplace --plugin vgv-wingspanThis skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.
Apply these principles to produce clear, vigorous prose.
Enforces Strunk & White rules for clear, concise prose: omit needless words, use active voice, definite language, avoid lists and passives. Loaded by /writing for quick edits.
Applies Strunk's Elements of Style rules to edit documentation, commit messages, error messages, UI text, reports, and explanations for clarity and conciseness.
Applies Strunk's Elements of Style rules for clear, concise prose in documentation, commit messages, error messages, UI text, reports, and explanations.
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
Apply these principles to produce clear, vigorous prose.
Omit needless words. Every word must earn its place. Cut filler phrases:
| Cut | Keep |
|---|---|
| the question as to whether | whether |
| owing to the fact that | since |
| the fact that he failed | his failure |
| he is a man who | he |
| in a hasty manner | hastily |
Use active voice. Direct and forcible:
| Passive | Active |
|---|---|
| The first experiment was performed | We performed the first experiment |
| It was believed by the committee | The committee believed |
Put statements in positive form. Avoid hedging with "not":
| Negative | Positive |
|---|---|
| He was not very often on time | He usually came late |
| did not remember | forgot |
| did not have confidence in | distrusted |
Use concrete, specific language. Vague abstractions weaken prose:
| Abstract | Concrete |
|---|---|
| A period of unfavorable weather set in | It rained every day for a week |
| He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his reward | He grinned as he pocketed the coin |
Keep related words together. Subject and verb should not be separated unnecessarily. Place modifiers next to what they modify.
Place emphatic words at the end. The sentence's most important element belongs at its close.
Avoid loose sentence chains. Don't string clauses with "and," "but," "which." Vary structure: use semicolons, periodic sentences, or break into separate sentences.
Express parallel ideas in parallel form:
| Broken | Parallel |
|---|---|
| Formerly by textbook, while now the laboratory method | Formerly by textbook; now by laboratory |
| Avoid | Prefer |
|---|---|
| interesting | (make it interesting, don't announce it) |
| certainly | (overused intensifier) |
| kind of/sort of | rather, somewhat |
| one of the most | (threadbare opening) |
| along these lines | (vague) |
| literally | (often misused for emphasis) |
| case, character, nature | (usually redundant) |
Before finalizing any prose: