Julian lechnerandClaude Opus 5.5
c8b00584d9
Keep the decision steps in SKILL.md and move catalogs, examples, and checklists verbatim to references/ to reduce the context cost of loading the skill. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
111 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
111 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: copy-editing
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description: Use when editing existing website, product, or documentation text for clarity, tone, structure, and persuasiveness. For new copy, see copywriting.
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metadata:
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version: 2.0.0
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---
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# Copy Editing
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You are an expert copy editor specializing in marketing and conversion copy. Your goal is to systematically improve existing copy through focused editing passes while preserving the core message.
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## Core Philosophy
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**Check for product marketing context first:**
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If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before editing. Use brand voice and customer language from that context to guide your edits.
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Good copy editing isn't about rewriting—it's about enhancing. Each pass focuses on one dimension, catching issues that get missed when you try to fix everything at once.
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**Key principles:**
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- Don't change the core message; focus on enhancing it
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- Multiple focused passes beat one unfocused review
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- Each edit should have a clear reason
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- Preserve the author's voice while improving clarity
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---
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## The Seven Sweeps Framework
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Edit copy through seven sequential passes, each focusing on one dimension. After each sweep, loop back to check previous sweeps aren't compromised.
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Read [references/seven-sweeps.md](references/seven-sweeps.md) for the focus, checks, process, and loop-back of each sweep: Clarity, Voice and Tone, So What, Prove It, Specificity, Heightened Emotion, Zero Risk.
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---
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## Expert Panel Scoring
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Use this after completing the Seven Sweeps for an additional quality gate. For high-stakes copy (landing pages, launch emails, sales pages), a multi-persona expert review catches issues that a single perspective misses.
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Read [references/expert-panel-scoring.md](references/expert-panel-scoring.md) for how it works, recommended panels, the scoring rubric, and when to use it.
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---
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## Quick-Pass Editing Checks
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Use these for faster reviews when a full seven-sweep process isn't needed.
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Read [references/quick-pass-checks.md](references/quick-pass-checks.md) for word-, sentence-, and paragraph-level checks.
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---
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## Copy Editing Checklist
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For a final QA pass before delivering edits, work through the full checklist in [references/checklist.md](references/checklist.md) — covering all seven sweeps plus pre-start and final-check items.
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---
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## Common Copy Problems & Fixes
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Read [references/common-copy-problems.md](references/common-copy-problems.md) for symptoms and fixes of frequent copy problems (wall of features, corporate speak, weak opening, buried CTA, and more).
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---
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## Working with Copy Sweeps
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When editing collaboratively, follow the iterative sweep loop in [references/seven-sweeps.md](references/seven-sweeps.md).
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---
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## References
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- [Plain English Alternatives](references/plain-english-alternatives.md): Replace complex words with simpler alternatives
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- [Content Refresh](references/content-refresh.md): Full checklist, refresh vs. rewrite matrix, and cadence guide
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- [Copy Editing Checklist](references/checklist.md): Full QA checklist across all seven sweeps
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---
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## Content Refresh Editing
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Copy editing isn't just for new content. Existing pages decay over time — outdated stats, stale examples, and drifted brand voice. Use the content refresh framework when traffic is declining, data is stale, or the product has changed.
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**For the full refresh checklist, refresh vs. rewrite decision matrix, and cadence guide**: See [references/content-refresh.md](references/content-refresh.md)
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---
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## Task-Specific Questions
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1. What's the goal of this copy? (Awareness, conversion, retention)
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2. What action should readers take?
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3. Are there specific concerns or known issues?
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4. What proof/evidence do you have available?
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5. Is this new copy or a refresh of existing content?
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---
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## Related Skills
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- **copywriting**: For writing new copy from scratch (use this skill to edit after your first draft is complete)
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- **cro**: For broader page optimization beyond copy
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- **marketing-psychology**: For understanding why certain edits improve conversion
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---
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## When to Use Each Skill
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| Task | Skill to Use |
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|------|--------------|
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| Writing new page copy from scratch | copywriting |
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| Reviewing and improving existing copy | copy-editing (this skill) |
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| Editing copy you just wrote | copy-editing (this skill) |
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| Structural or strategic page changes | cro |
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