Outline Generator Skill
Generate 3 structured outline variants with different angles for any article/blog post topic. Takes an approved headline from the hooks skill and produces detailed outlines with section structures, word count estimates, image placement markers, and a comparison matrix — ready for the human to pick or hybridize.
Scope
This skill does: Outline structure and variant generation only.
This skill does NOT do:
- SEO keyword research → dataforseo-cli or manual research
- Headline/title generation → hooks skill
- Actual article writing → writer skill
- Image/diagram creation → image-generator skill
Inputs
| Input | Source | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Topic / subject | Human or project brief | Yes |
| Approved title + subtitle | hooks skill output |
Yes |
| Target word count | Human (default: 1,500–2,500) | No |
| Target audience notes | Human or keyword research brief | No |
Process
1. Receive Topic + Approved Headlines
Pull the approved title/subtitle from the hooks skill output (typically in marketing/substack/drafts/[slug]/hooks.md). Confirm topic scope and any angle preferences with the human.
2. Generate 3 Variant Outlines
Each variant uses a different structure from the structure menu below. Pick the 3 most fitting for the topic — don't force a structure that doesn't serve the content.
Each variant includes:
- Structure type label
- Full section outline with H2 headings
- Key points (3–5 bullets) per section
- Word count estimate per section and total
- Image/diagram placement markers per the image rules below
- AI citability block marker (direct answer paragraph near top)
- Opening hook concept (1–2 sentences)
- Closing CTA concept
3. Build Comparison Matrix
Rate each variant (Low / Medium / High) across:
| Dimension | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Emotional arc | Does it build feeling? Peaks and valleys? |
| Actionability | Can the reader DO something after each section? |
| Shareability | Would someone screenshot or forward a section? |
| SEO strength | Does the structure naturally accommodate target keywords? |
4. Create ASCII Wireframe
For each variant, produce an ASCII wireframe showing the full article layout (see format below).
5. Present for Selection
Show all 3 variants with the comparison matrix. Human picks one, combines elements from multiple, or requests a new angle. Iterate until approved.
Structure Menu
Pick 3 per article. Options:
| Structure | Shape | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological narrative | Timeline: past → present → future | Origin stories, market evolution, "how we got here" |
| Framework-first | Method → proof → application | Strategies, mental models, "here's how to think about X" |
| Results-first | Numbers/outcome → how → why it matters | Case studies, performance posts, data-driven pieces |
| Comparison piece | Option A vs B vs C → verdict | Reviews, tool evaluations, "which approach wins" |
| Provocative | Tear down status quo → build up alternative | Hot takes, myth-busting, contrarian angles |
| Builder's journey | Personal narrative → lessons → reader application | Personal finance stories, founder journeys |
| Technical deep-dive | Concept → mechanics → edge cases → practical use | Explainers, "how X actually works" |
Section Structure Rules
Every section follows these rules:
- H2 headings every 300–400 words. No section exceeds 400 words without a subheading break.
- Mini-hook opening. Each section starts with a line that creates tension, curiosity, or stakes. Not a summary — a hook.
- "But, so" transitions. Sections connect with "but" (tension/contradiction) or "so" (consequence/momentum) logic. Never "and" (additive/flat). The reader should feel pulled forward, not walked forward.
- Open loop endings. End each section with an unresolved question, a tease, or a "half the picture" moment that makes the next section feel necessary.
- AI citability block. Include a 40-60 word direct answer block near the top of the article and mark it in the outline
Example section skeleton:
## H2: [Hook-style heading]
↳ Mini-hook opening (1–2 sentences, tension or curiosity)
↳ Key point 1
↳ Key point 2
↳ Key point 3
↳ Open loop → next section
[~350 words]
Image Placement Rules
- Hero image above the fold (before first H2)
- Diagram, screenshot, or image every 2–3 sections
- Never exceed 500 words without a visual break
- Mark placements with tags:
[IMAGE: description of what to show][DIAGRAM: description of what to illustrate][SCREENSHOT: description of what to capture]- Image descriptions should be specific enough for the
image-generatorskill to execute without guessing
ASCII Wireframe Format
Each variant gets a wireframe like this:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [IMAGE: Hero — ...] │ ← above fold
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ H1: Title │
│ H2: Subtitle │
│ Byline · Date · Read time │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ § Intro / Hook (~200 w) │
│ Open loop → §1 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ §1: [Heading] (~350 w) │
│ • Key point A │
│ • Key point B │
│ • Key point C │
│ Open loop → §2 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ §2: [Heading] (~350 w) │
│ • Key point A │
│ • Key point B │
│ [DIAGRAM: ...] │
│ Open loop → §3 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ §3: [Heading] (~350 w) │
│ • Key point A │
│ • Key point B │
│ Open loop → §4 │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [IMAGE: ...] │ ← visual break
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ §4: [Heading] (~350 w) │
│ • Key point A │
│ • Key point B │
│ • Key point C │
│ Open loop → Close │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ § Closing / CTA (~150 w) │
│ Call to action │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TOTAL ~1,750 w │
│ Images: 3 Diagrams: 1 │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Adapt the number of sections and visuals to the target word count. The wireframe is the single-glance view of the whole article.
Output
Save to: marketing/substack/drafts/[slug]/outline-variants.md
Structure of the output file:
# Outline Variants: [Title]
**Topic:** ...
**Approved title:** ...
**Approved subtitle:** ...
**Target word count:** ...
**Date generated:** YYYY-MM-DD
---
## Variant A: [Structure Type]
### Wireframe
[ASCII wireframe]
### Section Outline
[Full section-by-section outline]
---
## Variant B: [Structure Type]
### Wireframe
[ASCII wireframe]
### Section Outline
[Full section-by-section outline]
---
## Variant C: [Structure Type]
### Wireframe
[ASCII wireframe]
### Section Outline
[Full section-by-section outline]
---
## Comparison Matrix
| Dimension | Variant A | Variant B | Variant C |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Emotional arc | ... | ... | ... |
| Actionability | ... | ... | ... |
| Shareability | ... | ... | ... |
| SEO strength | ... | ... | ... |
---
## Recommendation
[Brief note on which variant fits best and why, or suggested hybrid]
---
**Status:** Awaiting human selection
**Next step:** → `writer` skill with approved outline
Downstream Handoff
Once the human approves a variant (or hybrid):
1. Mark status as Approved in the outline file
2. The approved outline feeds into writer for drafting
3. Image/diagram markers feed into image-generator for visual creation
