Core skill for the deep research and writing tool. Write scientific manuscripts in full paragraphs (never bullet points). Use two-stage process with (1) section outlines with key points using research-lookup then (2) convert to flowing prose. IMRAD structure, citations
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Core skill for the deep research and writing tool. Write scientific manuscripts in full paragraphs (never bullet points). Use two-stage process with (1) section outlines with key points using research-lookup then (2) convert to flowing prose. IMRAD structure, citations
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LanguagePython
LicenseMIT
📦 Ships with scientific-agent-skills
</> SKILL.md
scientific-writing.SKILL.md
---name: scientific-writing
description: Core skill for the deep research and writing tool. Write scientific manuscripts in full paragraphs (never bullet points). Use two-stage process with (1) section outlines with key points using research-lookup then (2) convert to flowing prose. IMRAD structure, citations (APA/AMA/Vancouver), figures/tables, reporting guidelines (CONSORT/STROBE/PRISMA), for research papers and journal submissions.
allowed-tools: Read Write Edit Bash
license: MIT license
required_environment_variables: [{"name": "OPENROUTER_API_KEY", "prompt": "OpenRouter API key for the skill's LLM-powered steps.", "required_for": "optional features"}]
metadata: {"version": "1.2", "skill-author": "K-Dense Inc.", "openclaw": {"primaryEnv": "OPENROUTER_API_KEY", "envVars": [{"name": "OPENROUTER_API_KEY", "required": false, "description": "OpenRouter API key for the skill's LLM-powered steps."}]}}
---# Scientific Writing
## Overview
**This is the core skill for the deep research and writing tool**—combining AI-driven deep research with well-formatted written outputs. Every document produced is backed by comprehensive literature search and verified citations through the research-lookup skill.
Scientific writing is a process for communicating research with precision and clarity. Write manuscripts using IMRAD structure, citations (APA/AMA/Vancouver), figures/tables, and reporting guidelines (CONSORT/STROBE/PRISMA). Apply this skill for research papers and journal submissions.
**Critical Principle: Always write in full paragraphs with flowing prose. Never submit bullet points in the final manuscript.** Use a two-stage process: first create section outlines with key points using research-lookup, then convert those outlines into complete paragraphs.
- Writing or revising any section of a scientific manuscript (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion)
- Structuring a research paper using IMRAD or other standard formats
- Formatting citations and references in specific styles (APA, AMA, Vancouver, Chicago, IEEE)
- Creating, formatting, or improving figures, tables, and data visualizations
- Applying study-specific reporting guidelines (CONSORT for trials, STROBE for observational studies, PRISMA for reviews)
- Drafting abstracts that meet journal requirements (structured or unstructured)
- Preparing manuscripts for submission to specific journals
- Improving writing clarity, conciseness, and precision
- Ensuring proper use of field-specific terminology and nomenclature
- Addressing reviewer comments and revising manuscripts
## Visual Enhancement with Scientific Schematics
**⚠️ MANDATORY: Every scientific paper MUST include a graphical abstract plus 1-2 additional AI-generated figures using the scientific-schematics skill.**
This is not optional. Scientific papers without visual elements are incomplete. Before finalizing any document:
1. **ALWAYS generate a graphical abstract** as the first visual element
2. Generate at minimum ONE additional schematic or diagram using scientific-schematics
3. Prefer 3-4 total figures for comprehensive papers (graphical abstract + methods flowchart + results visualization + conceptual diagram)
### Graphical Abstract (REQUIRED)
**Every scientific writeup MUST include a graphical abstract.** This is a visual summary of your paper that:
- Appears before or immediately after the text abstract
- Captures the entire paper's key message in one image
- Is suitable for journal table of contents display
- Any visual that enhances understanding or engagement
The AI will automatically:
- Create publication-quality images with proper formatting
- Review and refine through multiple iterations
- Ensure accessibility (colorblind-friendly, high contrast)
- Save outputs in the figures/ directory
**When in Doubt, Generate a Figure:**
- Complex concept → generate a schematic
- Data discussion → generate a visualization
- Process description → generate a flowchart
- Comparison → generate a comparison diagram
- Reader benefit → generate a visual
For detailed guidance, refer to the scientific-schematics and generate-image skill documentation.
---
## Core Capabilities
### 1. Manuscript Structure and Organization
**IMRAD Format**: Guide papers through the standard Introduction, Methods, Results, And Discussion structure used across most scientific disciplines. This includes:
- **Introduction**: Establish research context, identify gaps, state objectives
- **Methods**: Detail study design, populations, procedures, and analysis approaches
- **Results**: Present findings objectively without interpretation
**Abstract Composition**: Craft concise, standalone summaries (100-250 words) that capture the paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions. Support both structured abstracts (with labeled sections) and unstructured single-paragraph formats.
- **Figures**: Trends, patterns, relationships, comparisons best understood visually
**Design Principles:**
- Make each table/figure self-explanatory with complete captions
- Use consistent formatting and terminology across all display items
- Label all axes, columns, and rows with units
- Include sample sizes (n) and statistical annotations
- Follow the "one table/figure per 1000 words" guideline
- Avoid duplicating information between text, tables, and figures
**Common Figure Types:**
- Bar graphs: Comparing discrete categories
- Line graphs: Showing trends over time
- Scatterplots: Displaying correlations
- Box plots: Showing distributions and outliers
- Heatmaps: Visualizing matrices and patterns
### 5. Reporting Guidelines by Study Type
Ensure completeness and transparency by following established reporting standards. For comprehensive guideline details, refer to `references/reporting_guidelines.md`.
- ❌ **NEVER** use labeled sections (Background:, Methods:, Results:, Conclusions:)
- ✅ **ALWAYS** write as flowing paragraph(s) with natural transitions
- Exception: Only use structured format if journal explicitly requires it in author guidelines
**Integration with Research Lookup:**
The research-lookup skill is essential for Stage 1 (creating outlines):
1. Search for relevant papers using research-lookup
2. Extract key findings, methods, and data
3. Organize findings as bullet points in your outline
4. Then convert the outline to full paragraphs in Stage 2
This two-stage process ensures you:
- Gather and organize information systematically
- Create logical structure before writing
- Produce polished, publication-ready prose
- Maintain focus on the narrative flow
### 8. Professional Report Formatting (Non-Journal Documents)
For research reports, technical reports, white papers, and other professional documents that are NOT journal manuscripts, use the `scientific_report.sty` LaTeX style package for a polished, professional appearance.
**When to Use Professional Report Formatting:**
- Research reports and technical reports
- White papers and policy briefs
- Grant reports and progress reports
- Industry reports and technical documentation
- Internal research summaries
- Feasibility studies and project deliverables
**When NOT to Use (Use Venue-Specific Formatting Instead):**
- Journal manuscripts → Use `venue-templates` skill
- Include required statements (funding, conflicts of interest, data availability, ethical approval)
- Adhere to word limits for each section
- Format according to template requirements when provided
### 10. Field-Specific Language and Terminology
Adapt language, terminology, and conventions to match the specific scientific discipline. Each field has established vocabulary, preferred phrasings, and domain-specific conventions that signal expertise and ensure clarity for the target audience.
**Identify Field-Specific Linguistic Conventions:**
- Review terminology used in recent high-impact papers in the target journal
- Note field-specific abbreviations, units, and notation systems
- Identify preferred terms (e.g., "participants" vs. "subjects," "compound" vs. "drug," "specimens" vs. "samples")
- Observe how methods, organisms, or techniques are typically described
**Biomedical and Clinical Sciences:**
- Use precise anatomical and clinical terminology (e.g., "myocardial infarction" not "heart attack" in formal writing)
- `reviewer_expectations.md`: What reviewers look for at each venue
**Workflow**: First use this skill for general scientific writing principles (IMRAD, clarity, citations), then consult venue-templates for venue-specific style adaptation.
## References
This skill includes comprehensive reference files covering specific aspects of scientific writing:
- `references/imrad_structure.md`: Detailed guide to IMRAD format and section-specific content
- Tables with alternating row colors and professional headers
- Scientific notation commands for p-values, effect sizes, confidence intervals
- Professional headers and footers
**For venue-specific writing styles** (tone, voice, abstract format, reviewer expectations), see the **venue-templates** skill which provides comprehensive style guides for Nature/Science, Cell Press, medical journals, ML conferences, and CS conferences.
Load these references as needed when working on specific aspects of scientific writing.
