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From rhetorician
Use when writing is structurally clear but emotionally flat—adds turning points, sensory metaphors, and change hooks using Storr's brain-change model and Hopkins' specificity techniques.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/rhetorician:resonance-engineThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Resonance is the intersection of neurological engagement and tactical persuasion. It moves beyond "clear writing" to "moving writing." By using the brain's natural bias for unexpected change (Storr), emotional turning points (McKee), and selfish benefits (Hopkins), the Resonance Engine transforms passive readers into active converts.
Resonance is the intersection of neurological engagement and tactical persuasion. It moves beyond "clear writing" to "moving writing." By using the brain's natural bias for unexpected change (Storr), emotional turning points (McKee), and selfish benefits (Hopkins), the Resonance Engine transforms passive readers into active converts.
The brain is a "change-detecting machine." To grab attention, start with a moment of unexpected change or the opening of an information gap. Curiosity is a biological craving (the "Lowercase n" shape); provide enough information to tease the answer but not enough to solve the mystery immediately.
The reader cares nothing for your profit or your brand; they seek service for themselves. Frame every claim around the benefit to "You." Instead of "Buy our brand," say "Here is how this saves you $500."
Writing specifically to persuade often feels "salesy" and triggers skepticism. Writing to discover the truth is more influential. Conviction should come from the evidence itself, not from rhetorical tricks.
Platitudes like "best in the world" roll off the reader like water. Specific claims like "softens beards in 78 seconds" or "9% net profit" are accepted as truth because they imply rigorous testing and authority.
Metaphors that evoke touch, weight, or movement (e.g., "shouldering the burden," "rough day") activate the same neural networks used for physical experience. This makes the writing "felt" rather than just "read."
Identify the moment of change that triggers the piece.
Review your narrative arc or argument. A resonant piece must have "turning points" where the emotional polarity shifts (e.g., from Doubt to Hope, or from Complacency to Urgency). If the tone is flat, the resonance is dead.
Audit every claim. Convert "Features" (what it is) into "Outcomes" (what it does for them).
Identify abstract adjectives (e.g., "terrible," "amazing") and replace them with specific sensory details. Use metaphors that hit the "motor system" of the brain. Instead of "a difficult task," use "a hill too steep to climb."
Remove "salesy" qualifiers and superlatives. Ensure the most persuasive point is a "truth" you discovered during the writing process rather than a talking point you started with.
REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: copy-editor — to remove the "verbal false limbs" that kill resonance. RECOMMENDED SUB-SKILL: fiction-architect — for the narrative arc of a persuasive pitch.
npx claudepluginhub joellewis/skill-library --plugin rhetoricianApplies the SUCCESs model (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) to score and improve message memorability. Use when crafting pitches, presentations, or campaigns.
Transforms ideas, presentations, speeches, sales pitches, or data into persuasive stories using frameworks like StoryBrand, Golden Circle, Hero's Journey, and Challenger Sale.
Routes to the right narrative skill for storytelling, framing, audience modeling, or structure mapping. Entry point for the narrative toolkit.