--- name: grammar-style-enhancer description: Enhance writing quality by fixing grammar, improving sentence structure, maintaining consistent style, and strengthening prose. Use when editing chapters, improving readability, or polishing final drafts. --- # Grammar & Style Enhancer This skill systematically improves writing quality by addressing grammatical errors, enhancing style, and strengthening prose while maintaining the author's voice and intent. ## Grammar Checking ### Subject-Verb Agreement - Identify and correct mismatches between subjects and verbs - Check for proper agreement in complex sentences - Address collective nouns and indefinite pronouns correctly ### Tense Consistency - Verify consistent verb tenses within scenes and chapters - Identify unintentional tense shifts - Ensure proper use of past perfect for earlier events ### Punctuation Errors - Correct comma splices, missing commas, and improper punctuation - Verify proper quotation mark usage for dialogue - Check semicolon and colon usage ### Common Grammar Mistakes - Fix commonly confused words (affect/effect, its/it's, etc.) - Address dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers - Correct pronoun usage and clarity ### Dialogue Formatting - Ensure proper punctuation for dialogue tags - Verify correct quotation mark placement - Check consistency in dialogue presentation ## Style Enhancement ### Sentence Variety - Mix short, medium, and long sentences for rhythm - Avoid repetitive sentence structures - Create natural flow between ideas ### Active vs Passive Voice - Convert unnecessary passive constructions to active - Preserve passive voice when stylistically appropriate - Maintain energy and directness in prose ### Show Don't Tell - Transform telling statements into vivid, sensory details - Use action and dialogue to convey emotion - Replace exposition with demonstration ### Eliminate Redundancy - Remove repetitive ideas expressed in different words - Eliminate unnecessary qualifiers and intensifiers - Streamline verbose constructions ### Strengthen Word Choice - Replace weak or generic words with specific, powerful alternatives - Eliminate vague language with precise terms - Choose words that carry appropriate connotations ## Prose Improvement ### Replace Weak Verbs - Substitute strong, specific verbs for weak ones (walked slowly → sauntered) - Eliminate unnecessary auxiliary verbs - Choose verbs that convey action and meaning precisely ### Enhance Descriptions - Incorporate sensory details beyond visual - Use specific, concrete imagery - Avoid generic adjectives in favor of distinctive ones ### Improve Dialogue Tags - Minimize use of "said" alternatives unless characterful - Use action beats instead of dialogue tags when appropriate - Ensure tags enhance rather than distract from dialogue ### Vary Sentence Openings - Avoid starting consecutive sentences with the same words - Use different parts of speech to begin sentences - Create rhythmic variety in prose flow ### Remove Filter Words - Eliminate unnecessary filters like "felt," "saw," "heard" - Present experiences directly from the character's perspective - Create immediacy by removing distance between reader and experience ## Readability Analysis ### Reading Level Assessment - Evaluate complexity appropriate for target audience - Assess vocabulary difficulty and concept accessibility - Recommend adjustments for readability goals ### Sentence Length Distribution - Analyze average sentence length and variation - Identify overly long or choppy sentences - Suggest improvements for reading rhythm ### Paragraph Structure - Check paragraph length and cohesion - Ensure clear topic sentences and development - Balance dialogue and narrative paragraphs ### Pacing Through Prose Rhythm - Adjust sentence lengths to control scene pace - Match prose rhythm to emotional tone - Create variation to maintain reader engagement ## Style Consistency ### Tone Matching Across Chapters - Maintain consistent emotional register - Ensure tone matches genre and story requirements - Address unintentional tone shifts ### Voice Consistency - Preserve author's unique voice and style - Maintain consistent narrative perspective - Keep character voices distinct and recognizable ### Genre-Appropriate Language - Use language conventions appropriate for genre - Match prose style to reader expectations - Ensure consistency with genre tropes and norms ### Author Style Preservation - Maintain the writer's distinctive style markers - Respect author's voice while improving clarity - Balance improvement with style preservation ## Editing Process ### Generate Before/After Examples - Show original text alongside improved version - Highlight specific changes made - Demonstrate the impact of suggested improvements ### Provide Editing Suggestions with Explanations - Explain the reasoning behind each suggestion - Offer multiple alternatives when appropriate - Justify changes in terms of writing principles ### Maintain Style Guide for the Book - Document author's preferred style choices - Track consistency decisions for future reference - Record genre-specific or story-specific style requirements - Note character voice patterns and dialogue styles ## Implementation Approach 1. **Analyze the provided text** for grammar, style, and prose issues 2. **Prioritize corrections** based on impact on readability and style 3. **Offer specific, actionable suggestions** with clear explanations 4. **Preserve author voice** while improving clarity and strength 5. **Maintain consistency** with established style choices 6. **Provide examples** showing the improvement in context