# Content Research Writer

> Assists in writing high-quality long-form content by conducting research, finding citations, strengthening hooks, and providing section-by-section feedback. Use when writing blog posts, newsletters, articles, reports, or LinkedIn content that needs to be accurate, well-sourced, and engaging.

- Skill: `atharva-188/content-research-writer` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add atharva-188/content-research-writer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/atharva-188/content-research-writer/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: AthArvA-188 (https://skillmd.com/u/atharva-188)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/atharva-188/content-research-writer

---


# Content Research Writer

A research-first writing assistant that helps produce credible, well-sourced long-form content. Works section by section, so you can iterate as you write rather than starting from scratch.

## Workflow

### Phase 1 — Research Brief
Before writing begins, define:
- **Topic and angle** (what's the specific argument or insight?)
- **Audience** (what do they already know? what do they need?)
- **Format** (blog post, newsletter, report, LinkedIn article?)
- **Length target**
- **Tone** (conversational, authoritative, analytical, personal?)

### Phase 2 — Research
For any factual claims, statistics, or expert positions:
- Find primary sources (studies, official reports, firsthand interviews)
- Prefer sources from the last 12-24 months for fast-moving topics
- Flag conflicting data and note which interpretation to use and why
- Compile a working citations list before drafting starts

### Phase 3 — Hook Development
The opening is everything. Generate 3 hook variants:
1. **Data hook**: A surprising or counterintuitive statistic
2. **Story hook**: A concrete scene or anecdote that embodies the piece's thesis
3. **Provocation hook**: A contrarian or challenging claim that earns its way

Evaluate each hook against: Is it specific? Does it create tension? Does it promise a payoff?

### Phase 4 — Section-by-Section Drafting
Work one section at a time. For each section:
- State the section's job (what it must accomplish for the reader)
- Draft the content
- Check: does it deliver on its job? Does it flow from the previous section?
- Add citations inline as `[Source: Publication, Year]`

### Phase 5 — Final Review
Check the full draft for:
- **Consistency**: does the argument hold from intro to conclusion?
- **Transitions**: does each section earn its place?
- **Fact-checking**: are all statistics and claims sourced?
- **SEO basics** (if applicable): primary keyword in headline, first 100 words, and one subheading

## Citation Format

Use this inline format:
```
Studies show a 40% productivity improvement [McKinsey, 2024].
```
Compile full references at the end:
```
[1] McKinsey Global Institute. (2024). Title. URL
```

## Examples

**Input**: "I'm writing about AI's impact on product management. Help me research and draft a section on how PMs are using AI for user research."

**Output**: Research brief → 3-5 sources with summaries → hook options → drafted section with inline citations → suggestions for improvement.

**Input**: "Here's my intro paragraph. How can I make the hook stronger?"

**Output**: Analysis of what the current hook lacks → 2-3 rewrite options with explanations.

## Quality Signals

A finished piece should pass this test: could a reader cite any factual claim back to a source? If not, it needs more research. Could a reader get the main argument from the headline and subheadings alone? If not, the structure needs work.

## Tips

- Don't try to write and research simultaneously — the research phase should be complete before drafting starts
- For opinion pieces, lead with your argument, not your research. Research supports the argument; it doesn't replace having one.
- If you're stuck on a section, describe what it needs to accomplish rather than what to write — that often unlocks it