joabgonzalez

english-writing

"English writing rules for generated content and code. Trigger: When generating, editing, or reviewing content, code, documentation, or prompts."

joabgonzalez 5 Updated 3mo ago
GitHub

Install

npx skillscat add joabgonzalez/ai-agents-skills/english-writing

Install via the SkillsCat registry.

SKILL.md

English Writing

Enforces clear, professional English in all generated content (code, docs, prompts). Ensures American spelling, ASCII characters, clarity, and technical accuracy.

When to Use

  • When generating or editing code, documentation, prompts, or reference material
  • When reviewing or validating any written output

Don't use when:

  • Translating to other languages (unless explicitly requested)

Critical Patterns

✅ REQUIRED: All content in English (American spelling)

All generated code, documentation, comments, and prompt content must be written in English, using American spelling.

✅ REQUIRED: ASCII apostrophes and hyphens

Use only ASCII apostrophes (') and hyphens (-) in all written content, code, and documentation.

# CORRECT

Don't use smart quotes or typographic dashes -- use ' and - only.

# WRONG

Don’t use “smart quotes” or – en dashes.

✅ REQUIRED: Consistent punctuation, spacing, and capitalization

Ensure all content uses standard punctuation, single spaces after periods, and consistent capitalization for headings, lists, and code comments.

# CORRECT

// Fetch user data.

## Usage

# WRONG

// fetch user Data .

## usage

✅ REQUIRED: Clear, direct language

Use clear, direct, and unambiguous language for both AI and human readers. Avoid filler, redundancy, and vague statements.

# CORRECT

Return an error if the file is missing.

# WRONG

It might be a good idea to return an error if the file is missing.

✅ REQUIRED: Active voice

Use active voice for clarity and directness.

# CORRECT

Use useState for local state.

# WRONG

useState should be used for local state.

✅ REQUIRED: Imperative mood

Write instructions in imperative mood.

# CORRECT

Add the dependency to package.json.

# WRONG

You should add the dependency to package.json.

✅ REQUIRED: No hedging

Avoid hedging language ("consider", "might", "could").

# CORRECT

Use strict typing for all TypeScript files.

# WRONG

Consider using strict typing for TypeScript files.

✅ REQUIRED: Minimal direct address

Avoid unnecessary use of "you"; focus on direct, actionable statements.

Decision Tree

Is the content, code, documentation, or prompt in English (American spelling)? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in English (American spelling)
Are only ASCII apostrophes and hyphens used? → Proceed
Otherwise → Replace with ASCII characters
Is punctuation, spacing, and capitalization consistent? → Proceed
Otherwise → Fix formatting
Is the language clear and direct? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite for clarity
Is the sentence in active voice? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in active voice
Is the instruction in imperative mood? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in imperative mood
Is there hedging language? → Remove hedging
Is there unnecessary direct address? → Remove or rephrase
Otherwise → Content is compliant

Conventions

These rules apply to all generated code, documentation, comments, and prompt content. They do not apply to conversational responses in chat or user-facing explanations unless those are part of generated documentation or code comments.

Example

# CORRECT

Add the dependency to package.json.

# WRONG

You should add the dependency to package.json.

Edge Cases

  • If a code example requires a non-English string (e.g., for i18n), clearly comment the exception.

Resources