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From vgv-wingspan
Applies Strunk's Elements of Style principles to writing or editing prose: omit needless words, use active voice, prefer positive form, and keep related words together.
How this skill is triggered — by the user, by Claude, or both
Slash command
/vgv-wingspan:elements-of-styleWhen to use
Triggers on "write clearly," "edit for style," "improve writing," or tasks requiring clear, vigorous English — documents, emails, reviews.
The summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
Apply these principles to produce clear, vigorous prose.
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:
npx claudepluginhub verygoodopensource/very-good-claude-code-marketplace --plugin vgv-wingspanApplies Strunk & White writing rules (omit needless words, active voice, concrete language) to prose. Use for tightening and clarifying any written text.
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 to edit documentation, commit messages, error messages, UI text, reports, and explanations for clarity and conciseness.