How do I install the Academic Writing skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add catcorner22/academic-writing in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Academic Writing safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Academic Writing?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Academic Writing free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Academic Writing?

CatCorner22 (@catcorner22) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Academic Writing by catcorner22 — Agent Skill

Name: Academic Writing
Author: CatCorner22

Academic Writing

Structure and revise academic prose: thesis statements, outlines, paragraphs, introductions/conclusions, argument flow, and tone by assignment type (analytic, argumentative, reflective, compare-contrast, lab IMRaD). Use when writing or editing essays, discussion posts, reading responses, or when the user asks for help organizing a paper. Scope boundary: citation formatting → `citation-literacy`; named sources and attribution → `journalistic-attribution`; lecture-to-notes → `plaud-lecture-notes`; slides → `powerpoint-decks`.

CatCorner22 Updated Sep 21, 2026

File contents

Academic writing

Rule: Every draft serves a claim — a sentence you could disagree with. If no one could disagree, it is description, not argument.

CRAFT workflow

C — Claim: one-sentence thesis (debatable, specific, scoped to assignment)
R — Reasons: 3–5 supporting points (each needs evidence)
A — Arrangement: outline with one idea per paragraph
F — Flow: topic sentence → evidence → analysis → link back to thesis
T — Trim: cut throat-clearing, passive filler, and duplicate points

Thesis checklist

Specific: names the topic, stance, and scope ("In X, Y because Z" — not "X is important")
Debatable: a reasonable reader could push back
Provable: matchable to evidence within page limit
One sentence (two only if the prompt requires a complex claim)

Paragraph template (TEAL)

Part	Job
Topic sentence	Mini-claim for this paragraph
Evidence	Quote, data, or example (introduced, not dropped)
Analysis	Why this evidence supports the topic sentence — your voice
Link	Tie to thesis or transition to next paragraph

Never end a paragraph on a quote. Analysis is where grades live.

Assignment types

Type	Structure
Argumentative	Intro + thesis → 2–3 body (counterargument optional) → conclusion that synthesizes, not repeats
Analytic	Thesis on how/why the text works → body by element (theme, form, context) → conclusion on significance
Compare/contrast	Point-by-point or block; thesis names the meaningful difference, not "both are similar and different"
Reflective	Concrete moment → insight → connection to course concept (still needs structure, not diary)
Discussion post	Claim in first 2 sentences → one piece of evidence → question to peers

Revision passes (in order)

Argument: Does every paragraph serve the thesis? Cut orphans.
Evidence: Is every claim backed? Flag [NEED SOURCE] rather than invent.
Analysis: Replace summary with "so what?"
Clarity: Short sentences; define jargon once; active voice default
Mechanics: Grammar last — do not polish a hollow argument

Tone

Third person or discipline norm unless prompt says "I"
No inflated diction ("utilize" → "use")
No hedge stacks ("might possibly perhaps")
Confidence proportional to evidence

Boundaries

This skill	Not this skill
Structure and revise your draft	Write the entire graded submission to submit unchanged
Teach argument craft	Replace reading the assigned texts
Suggest where evidence is needed	Fabricate citations — use `citation-literacy` + real sources

Always confirm the course AI-use rules and pair citation-literacy before generating long draft text. Do not fabricate sources.

---name: academic-writingdescription: Structure and revise academic prose: thesis statements, outlines, paragraphs, introductions/conclusions, argument flow, and tone by assignment type (analytic, argumentative, reflective, compare-contrast, lab IMRaD). Use when writing or editing essays, discussion posts, reading responses, or when the user asks for help organizing a paper. Scope boundary: citation formatting → `citation-literacy`; named sources and attribution → `journalistic-attribution`; lecture-to-notes → `plaud-lecture-notes`; slides → `powerpoint-decks`.---# Academic writing**Rule:** Every draft serves a **claim** — a sentence you could disagree with. If no one could disagree, it is description, not argument.## CRAFT workflow```C — Claim: one-sentence thesis (debatable, specific, scoped to assignment)R — Reasons: 3–5 supporting points (each needs evidence)A — Arrangement: outline with one idea per paragraphF — Flow: topic sentence → evidence → analysis → link back to thesisT — Trim: cut throat-clearing, passive filler, and duplicate points```## Thesis checklist- **Specific:** names the topic, stance, and scope ("In X, Y because Z" — not "X is important")- **Debatable:** a reasonable reader could push back- **Provable:** matchable to evidence within page limit- **One sentence** (two only if the prompt requires a complex claim)## Paragraph template (TEAL)| Part | Job ||---|---|| **T**opic sentence | Mini-claim for this paragraph || **E**vidence | Quote, data, or example (introduced, not dropped) || **A**nalysis | *Why* this evidence supports the topic sentence — your voice || **L**ink | Tie to thesis or transition to next paragraph |**Never end a paragraph on a quote.** Analysis is where grades live.## Assignment types| Type | Structure ||---|---|| **Argumentative** | Intro + thesis → 2–3 body (counterargument optional) → conclusion that synthesizes, not repeats || **Analytic** | Thesis on *how/why* the text works → body by element (theme, form, context) → conclusion on significance || **Compare/contrast** | Point-by-point or block; thesis names the meaningful difference, not "both are similar and different" || **Reflective** | Concrete moment → insight → connection to course concept (still needs structure, not diary) || **Discussion post** | Claim in first 2 sentences → one piece of evidence → question to peers |## Revision passes (in order)1. **Argument:** Does every paragraph serve the thesis? Cut orphans.2. **Evidence:** Is every claim backed? Flag `[NEED SOURCE]` rather than invent.3. **Analysis:** Replace summary with "so what?"4. **Clarity:** Short sentences; define jargon once; active voice default5. **Mechanics:** Grammar last — do not polish a hollow argument## Tone- Third person or discipline norm unless prompt says "I"- No inflated diction ("utilize" → "use")- No hedge stacks ("might possibly perhaps")- Confidence proportional to evidence## Boundaries| This skill | Not this skill ||---|---|| Structure and revise *your* draft | Write the entire graded submission to submit unchanged || Teach argument craft | Replace reading the assigned texts || Suggest where evidence is needed | Fabricate citations — use `citation-literacy` + real sources |Always confirm the course AI-use rules and pair **`citation-literacy`** before generating long draft text. Do not fabricate sources.

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