Can I use this for non-economic academic papers?

While specifically tailored for economics and finance based on McCloskey's work, its principles of clarity and brevity are highly effective for any analytical or technical writing.

What makes this different from a general writing tool?

This skill applies domain-specific rules for economics, such as avoiding 'elegant variation' and prioritizing specific findings over standard academic 'throat-clearing' introductions.

Does it support mathematical notation?

Yes, it provides specific guidance on making equations and tables self-explanatory using meaningful labels rather than obscure acronyms.

What is the 'Iron Law' of this skill?

It mandates the immediate deletion and restart of any draft containing boilerplate phrases like 'This paper discusses' or table-of-contents paragraphs.

Economical Writing for Finance & Econ

Name: Economical Writing for Finance & Econ
Author: edwinhu

byedwinhu

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Content Management

Refines economics and finance prose into clear, punchy, and professional analysis by eliminating academic boilerplate and jargon.

This skill transforms dense academic drafts into persuasive economics and finance writing by applying Deirdre McCloskey's 'Economical Writing' principles. It enforces strict 'Iron Laws' that eliminate throat-clearing boilerplate, excessive technical jargon (Teutonisms), and 'elegant variation'—the confusing practice of using different words for the same concept. By prioritizing a 'finding-first' structure and concrete language, it ensures that working papers, journal articles, and market analyses remain accessible, authoritative, and engaging for peer reviewers and skeptical colleagues alike.

Key Features

01Boilerplate elimination for introductions and transitions

025 GitHub stars

03Consistent terminology enforcement using the 'One Concept = One Word' rule

04Self-explanatory data visualization and equation labeling guidance

05Finding-first hook optimization for papers and reports

06Conversion of passive academic prose into active, concrete language

Use Cases

01Drafting or revising economics journal articles and working papers

02Creating clear and authoritative finance market commentary

03Translating complex economic policy briefs for a broader audience

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add edwinhu/workflows writing-econ

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill