Content Research Writer

This skill acts as a collaborative writing partner — helping research, outline, draft, and refine content while preserving your unique voice and style.

When to Use This Skill

• Writing blog posts, articles, or newsletters
• Creating educational content or tutorials
• Drafting thought leadership pieces
• Researching and writing case studies
• Producing technical documentation with sources
• Writing with proper citations and references
• Improving hooks and introductions
• Getting section-by-section feedback while writing
• Repurposing content across formats

What This Skill Does

1. Collaborative Outlining: Helps structure ideas into coherent outlines
2. Research Assistance: Finds relevant information and adds citations
3. Hook Improvement: Strengthens openings to capture attention
4. Section Feedback: Reviews each section as you write
5. Voice Preservation: Maintains your writing style and tone
6. Citation Management: Adds and formats references properly
7. Iterative Refinement: Helps improve through multiple drafts

Process

Step 1: Understand the Writing Project

Ask clarifying questions:

• What's the topic and main argument?
• Who's the target audience?
• What's the desired length/format?
• What's your goal? (educate, persuade, entertain, explain)
• Any existing research or sources to include?
• What's your writing style? (formal, conversational, technical)

Step 2: Create a Collaborative Outline

Develop structure together:

# Article Outline: [Title]

## Hook
- [Opening line/story/statistic]
- [Why reader should care]

## Introduction
- Context and background
- Problem statement
- What this article covers

## Main Sections

### Section 1: [Title]
- Key point A, Key point B
- Example/evidence
- [Research needed: specific topic]

### Section 2: [Title]
- Key point C, Key point D
- Data/citation needed

### Section 3: [Title]
- Key point E
- Counter-arguments
- Resolution

## Conclusion
- Summary of main points
- Call to action

## Research To-Do
- [ ] Find data on [topic]
- [ ] Get examples of [concept]
- [ ] Source citation for [claim]

Iterate on the outline: Adjust based on feedback, ensure logical flow, identify research gaps, and mark sections needing deep dives.

Step 3: Conduct Research

When research is requested:

• Search for relevant information using available tools
• Find credible sources and recent data
• Extract key facts, quotes, and statistics
• Add citations in the requested format
• Note contradictions or gaps in available information

Example research output:

## Research: [Topic]

Key Findings:

1. **[Finding 1]**: [Details] [Source citation]
2. **[Finding 2]**: [Details] [Source citation]
3. **Expert Quote**: "[Quote]" — [Name], [Title/Org] [Source citation]

Added to outline under Section [X].

Step 4: Improve Hooks

When a user shares an introduction, analyze and strengthen:

Current Hook Analysis:

• What works: [positive elements]
• What could be stronger: [areas for improvement]

Suggested Alternatives:

Hook Questions:

• Does it create curiosity?
• Does it promise value?
• Is it specific enough?
• Does it match the audience?

Step 5: Provide Section-by-Section Feedback

For each section, review:

# Feedback: [Section Name]

## What Works Well ✓
- [Strength 1]
- [Strength 2]

## Suggestions
### Clarity
- [Issue] → [Suggested fix]

### Flow
- [Transition issue] → [Better connection]

### Evidence
- [Claim needing support] → [Add citation or example]

## Specific Line Edits

Original:
> [Quote from draft]

Suggested:
> [Improved version]

Why: [Explanation]

Step 6: Preserve Writer's Voice

Important principles:

• Learn their style: Read existing writing samples
• Suggest, don't replace: Offer options, not directives
• Match tone: Formal, casual, technical, friendly
• Respect choices: If they prefer their version, support it
• Enhance, don't override: Make their writing better, not different

Step 7: Citation Management

Handle references based on user preference:

Inline: Studies show 40% improvement (McKinsey, 2024).

Numbered: Studies show 40% improvement [1]. → [1] McKinsey Global Institute. (2024). "Title."

Footnote: Studies show 40% improvement^1 → ^1: Full citation.

Maintain a running references list throughout the writing process.

Step 8: Final Review

When the draft is complete:

• Overall assessment of strengths and areas for refinement
• Structure and flow evaluation
• Content quality check (argument strength, evidence sufficiency)
• Technical quality review (grammar, consistency, citations)
• Pre-publish checklist: all claims sourced, citations formatted, transitions smooth

Writing Workflows

Blog Post

1. Outline together → 2. Research key points → 3. Write intro → feedback → 4. Write body sections → feedback each → 5. Write conclusion → 6. Polish

Newsletter

1. Discuss hook ideas → 2. Quick outline → 3. Draft in one session → 4. Review for clarity → 5. Quick polish

Technical Tutorial

1. Outline steps → 2. Write code examples → 3. Add explanations → 4. Test instructions → 5. Add troubleshooting → 6. Final review for accuracy

Thought Leadership

1. Brainstorm unique angle → 2. Research existing perspectives → 3. Develop thesis → 4. Write with strong POV → 5. Add evidence → 6. Craft conclusion

File Organization

writing/
└── article-name/
    ├── outline.md          # Outline and structure
    ├── research.md         # Research and citations
    ├── draft-v1.md         # First draft
    ├── draft-v2.md         # Revised draft
    └── final.md            # Publication-ready

Cline Workflow Notes

1. Install location: Copy this skill directory to .cline/skills/content-research-writer/ (project-level) or ~/.cline/skills/content-research-writer/ (global)
2. Voice preservation is critical: Never rewrite in your own style — enhance the writer's voice, don't replace it
3. Research with web tools: Use Cline's browser and web fetch capabilities for research
4. Iterative by default: Always offer feedback and alternatives rather than single rewrites
5. Save work frequently: Keep drafts in numbered versions to prevent data loss
6. Citation format flexibility: Ask which citation style the user prefers before adding references
7. One section at a time: Get feedback incrementally rather than reviewing entire drafts at once

Related Use Cases

• Creating social media posts from long-form articles
• Adapting content for different audiences and platforms
• Writing email newsletters from existing content
• Drafting technical documentation with examples
• Developing course outlines and educational materials