zinsser

Rewrite prose into clearer, simpler wording with a five-pass cleanup.

5|Updated Aug 8, 2016

Search Tags:#writing style #editing #clarity #content cleanup #rewriting #active voice #cliché removal

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/gbencke/dotfiles --skill zinsser

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: zinsser
Source: https://github.com/gbencke/dotfiles/tree/main/pi/skills/zinsser
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/gbencke/dotfiles --skill zinsser

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you fix cluttered, wordy writing by stripping sentences down to their clearest, most human form without changing meaning.

Core Features & Use Cases

Zinsser-style five-pass rewrite: performs a structured cleanup (clutter audit, word surgery, voice/structure cleanup, cliché removal, and read-aloud validation).
Clarity, simplicity, brevity, humanity: enforces one-idea-per-sentence, active voice, fewer adverbs, and tighter wording.
Safety guardrails: avoids adding new content, preserves meaning, and flags any potential meaning changes explicitly.
Use cases: turning emails, proposals, documentation, or reports into concise versions that read smoothly.

Quick Start

Say: "zinsser this" and paste the text you want rewritten.

Frequently Asked Questions about zinsser

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I rewrite my documentation into clear and concise prose?▼

To rewrite documentation into clear prose, the Skill applies a structured five-pass cleanup using Zinsser principles, auditing clutter, enforcing active voice, and removing clichés to produce tighter wording while preserving the original meaning.

What is the best way to remove clutter and shorten wordy paragraphs?▼

Removing clutter and shortening wordy paragraphs is achieved through a multi-pass cleanup that enforces one-idea-per-sentence, active voice, and fewer adverbs, concluding with a read-aloud validation and a word-count delta summary.

Can I use this to clean up emails and proposals without changing the meaning?▼

Yes, you can clean up emails and proposals without changing meaning because the Skill includes safety guardrails that explicitly avoid adding new content and flags any potential meaning changes during the rewriting process.

How does active voice and cliché removal work when editing text?▼

Active voice and cliché removal work by applying structural cleanup rules that rewrite passive constructions, eliminate common phrases, and shorten synonyms, ensuring the final text reads smoothly and clearly.

Are there limitations when rewriting lists or complex technical reports?▼

When rewriting lists or complex technical reports, the limitations include strict preservation of meaning without adding new content, meaning the Skill only strips clutter and tightens wording rather than expanding on technical concepts.