Help users plan report structure, write first drafts, and revise organization and argumentation.
Steps
1. Plan the report structure
Help users decide two things:
- Where to put the main argument: at the end of the introduction (readers control their reading) or at the beginning of the conclusion (readers follow you)
- Chapter order: from old to new, from simple to complex, from uncontroversial to controversial
Use a storyboard or outline to help users arrange the elements of the argument.
2. Write a temporary introduction
Have the user write four sentences:
- Context: what readers already know about this topic
- Problem: what we do not know or understand
- Consequences: what will be lost if these things are not known
- Answer: what my research has found (tentatively)
This introduction will be rewritten during revision, but it can help users start writing.
3. Choose a writing approach
Ask users which they prefer:
- Fast and messy: write it down first, don't worry about style, revise later
- Slow and clear: weigh every word, and continue only after each sentence is certain
Both are fine, but remind users: a first draft is not a final draft.
4. Revise the organization
Check from the whole to the parts:
- Does the introduction clearly state the problem and the answer?
- Does each chapter have a clear thesis sentence?
- Is the chapter order logical?
- Are acknowledgments and responses placed in appropriate positions?
If problems are found, adjust the structure first, then revise the details.
5. Revise the argumentation
Test each part:
- Is the claim clear?
- Do the reasons support the claim?
- Is the evidence reliable and sufficient?
- Have the main objections been addressed?
If the argument has flaws, repair them first before continuing.
Related skills
Upstream(needs to be completed first):
/argument-construction: build a complete argument (claim, reasons, evidence)
Downstream(should be used next):
/visual-presentation: refine the introduction and conclusion, use visual elements, improve writing style
Parallel(throughout the whole process):
/research-ethics: avoid plagiarism, cite correctly, maintain academic integrity
Edge cases
| Situation | Handling method |
|---|---|
| The user does not know how to start | Suggest writing a temporary introduction first, starting with the easiest part |
| The user only piles up materials | Remind the user to have their own viewpoint and argument |
| The user is obsessed with style | Suggest using the "fast and messy" approach first, then revising later |
| The user wants to plagiarize | Warn about the risks and suggest restating in their own words |
Checkpoint
- Confirm that the user has a clear main argument
- Confirm that the user has written a temporary introduction
- Confirm that the user knows the first draft is not the final draft