SKILL.md

--- frontmatter

name: writing-outline
description: Internal skill for creating detailed section outlines. Called by /writing workflow after PRECIS and master OUTLINE are complete.

Writing Outline

Create a detailed outline for a specific section/part before drafting prose. This is Level 3 of the progressive expansion workflow.

Progressive Expansion Context

code

.claude/PRECIS.md          # Level 1: Thesis, claims, audience
       ↓
.claude/OUTLINE.md         # Level 2: Master structure (sections, goals)
       ↓
outlines/Part I.md         # Level 3: THIS STEP - Detailed section outline
       ↓
drafts/Part I.md           # Level 4: Prose expansion

Never skip to prose drafting without a detailed outline first.

Process

Step 1: Load Context

code

Read(".claude/ACTIVE_WORKFLOW.md")
Read(".claude/PRECIS.md")
Read(".claude/OUTLINE.md")

If master OUTLINE.md is missing, run writing-brainstorm first.

Step 2: Select Section

If not specified by user, present available sections:

code

AskUserQuestion(questions=[
  {
    "question": "Which section should I outline in detail?",
    "header": "Section",
    "options": [
      {"label": "Part I / Introduction", "description": "Hook, thesis, roadmap"},
      {"label": "Part II / Background", "description": "Context and precedents"},
      {"label": "Part III / Argument", "description": "Main claims and evidence"},
      {"label": "Part IV / Counterarguments", "description": "Objections and responses"}
    ],
    "multiSelect": false
  }
])

Step 3: Gather Section Details

For the selected section, ask clarifying questions:

code

AskUserQuestion(questions=[
  {
    "question": "How should this section be structured?",
    "header": "Structure",
    "options": [
      {"label": "Chronological", "description": "Events/developments in time order"},
      {"label": "Thematic", "description": "Grouped by topic or concept"},
      {"label": "Problem-Solution", "description": "Issue then resolution"},
      {"label": "Comparative", "description": "Side-by-side analysis"}
    ],
    "multiSelect": false
  },
  {
    "question": "What level of detail do you want?",
    "header": "Depth",
    "options": [
      {"label": "Paragraph-level", "description": "One bullet per paragraph"},
      {"label": "Sentence-level", "description": "Key sentences mapped out"},
      {"label": "Full skeleton", "description": "Nearly complete argument structure"}
    ],
    "multiSelect": false
  }
])

Step 4: Create Detailed Outline

Create directory if needed and write the detailed outline:

bash

mkdir -p outlines

Write to outlines/[Section Name] (Outline).md:

markdown

# [Section Name] - Detailed Outline

## Section Goal
[From master OUTLINE.md - what this section accomplishes]

## Claim Supported
[Which claim from PRECIS.md this section advances]

## Structure: [Chronological/Thematic/Problem-Solution/Comparative]

---

## Opening

**Lead sentence**: [Draft or TBD]
**Context needed**: [What reader must know]
**Transition from previous**: [How we got here]

---

## Body

### Subsection A: [Name]

**Point**: [Main argument of this subsection]
**Evidence**:
  - [Source 1]: "[key quote or fact]"
  - [Source 2]: "[key quote or fact]"
**Logic**: [How evidence supports point]
**Transition**: [Bridge to next subsection]

### Subsection B: [Name]

**Point**: [Main argument]
**Evidence**:
  - [Source]: "[key quote or fact]"
**Logic**: [How evidence supports point]
**Anticipated objection**: [If applicable]
  - Response: [How to address]
**Transition**: [Bridge to next]

### Subsection C: [Name]

[Continue pattern...]

---

## Closing

**Section summary**: [One sentence recap]
**Bridge to next section**: [How this leads to what follows]
**Thesis thread**: [How this connects to main thesis from PRECIS]

---

## Sources Used in This Section
- [Source 1] - used for [what]
- [Source 2] - used for [what]

## Open Questions
- [Anything unresolved before drafting]

## Estimated Length
[Paragraph count or word count target]

Step 5: Cross-Reference with PRECIS

Verify the detailed outline against PRECIS.md:

• Advances at least one claim from PRECIS
• Addresses relevant counterarguments (if applicable)
• Stays within IN scope
• Avoids OUT scope items
• Maintains thesis thread

Report any misalignments.

Step 6: Update Workflow State

Update .claude/ACTIVE_WORKFLOW.md:

yaml

phase: outline
current_section: [section name]
outlines_complete:
  - [list of completed outlines]

Step 7: Next Steps

code

Detailed outline created: outlines/[Section Name] (Outline).md

This section advances Claim [N] from PRECIS.md.
Structure: [chosen structure]
Subsections: [count]

Next: Create another section outline or begin prose drafting.
When ready to finish, use /writing-edit.

Outline Quality Checklist

Before finalizing, verify:

• Every subsection has a clear POINT
• Evidence is specific (quotes, data), not vague ("sources say")
• Logic connecting evidence to point is explicit
• Transitions between subsections are planned
• Section contributes to thesis (not tangential)
• Anticipated objections are noted where relevant
• Length estimate is realistic

Common Problems

Problem	Fix
Outline is just topic list	Add POINT, EVIDENCE, LOGIC for each
No sources mapped	Go back to research or brainstorm
Section doesn't advance a claim	Rethink why it exists
Too long for one section	Split into multiple sections
Transitions missing	Add explicit bridges