scientific-manuscript-review

# Scientific Manuscript Review

## Table of Contents
- [Purpose](#purpose)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Core Principles](#core-principles)
- [Workflow](#workflow)
- [Section-by-Section Review](#section-by-section-review)
- [Language Guidelines](#language-guidelines)
- [Guardrails](#guardrails)
- [Quick Reference](#quick-reference)

## Purpose

This skill provides systematic review and editing of scientific manuscripts (research articles, reviews, perspectives) to improve clarity, structure, scientific rigor, and reader comprehension. It applies a multi-pass approach covering structure, scientific logic, language, and formatting to transform drafts into publication-ready documents.

## When to Use

Use this skill when:

- **Drafting manuscripts**: Research articles, short communications, review papers, perspectives
- **Pre-submission review**: Final polish before journal submission
- **Revision cycles**: Addressing reviewer comments, improving based on feedback
- **Collaborative editing**: Reviewing co-author drafts, mentoring student writing
- **Self-editing**: Systematic review of your own writing for blind spots
- **Journal transfer**: Adapting manuscript for different journal format

Trigger phrases: "manuscript review", "paper draft", "journal article", "research writing", "improve my paper", "reviewer feedback", "submission ready", "scientific writing"

**Do NOT use for:**
- Grant proposals (use `grant-proposal-assistant`)
- Recommendation letters (use `academic-letter-architect`)
- General emails (use `scientific-email-polishing`)

## Core Principles

Seven foundational beliefs guiding manuscript review:

1. **Clarity over cleverness**: Scientific clarity is more important than stylistic elegance
2. **Narrative shapes comprehension**: Structure and story arc determine reader understanding
3. **Audience dictates tone**: Expert vs. general audience requires different depth and framing
4. **Format signals credibility**: Professional formatting reflects scient