Grammar and Proofreading Skill

This skill provides comprehensive proofreading and editing for religious and theological writing, including sermons, devotionals, academic papers, and books.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user requests:

• Grammar or spelling checking
• Proofreading of biblical or theological content
• Style improvements for clarity, conciseness, or tone
• Editing sermons, sermonettes, devotionals, or blogs
• Academic theological writing review
• Book chapter editing

Core Capabilities

1. Grammar and Spelling: US English corrections, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, verb tense consistency
2. Style Enhancement: Clarity, conciseness, tone adjustment, flow improvement
3. Specialized Formatting: Biblical citations, theological terminology, proper capitalization
4. Writing Type Adaptation: Pastoral, academic, or creative devotional styles

Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Context

Ask the user (if not already specified):

• Writing type: sermon, sermonette, devotional, blog, academic paper, book chapter, or other
• Desired tone: pastoral (default), academic, creative, or mixed
• Specific concerns: grammar only, style improvements, comprehensive edit, or specific issues
• Document length: to set appropriate depth of review

Step 2: Load Relevant Style References

Based on writing type, read the appropriate reference files:

For pastoral sermons/sermonettes:

• Read references/pastoral-style.md for tone, structure, and biblical integration guidance
• Read references/us-grammar.md for grammar and spelling rules

For academic theological writing:

• Read references/academic-style.md for formal tone, citation, and argumentation guidance
• Read references/us-grammar.md for grammar and spelling rules

For creative devotionals/blogs:

• Read references/creative-style.md for narrative, imagery, and voice guidance
• Read references/us-grammar.md for grammar and spelling rules

For mixed or unclear types:

• Read references/pastoral-style.md as baseline
• Read references/us-grammar.md for grammar and spelling rules

Step 3: Review and Edit

Perform comprehensive review focusing on:

Grammar and Mechanics

• Subject-verb agreement
• Pronoun consistency and clarity
• Verb tense consistency
• Sentence fragments and run-ons
• Punctuation (commas, semicolons, apostrophes, quotation marks)
• Spelling (US English conventions)

Style and Clarity

• Sentence variety and flow
• Active vs. passive voice
• Wordiness and redundancy
• Paragraph structure and transitions
• Tone consistency with intended audience

Specialized Elements

• Biblical citations (format: Book Chapter:Verse Translation)
• Theological terminology accuracy
• Capitalization of religious terms (follow loaded style guide)
• Scripture integration and quotation accuracy

Writing-Type Specific

• Pastoral: warm tone, practical application, clear structure, vivid illustrations
• Academic: formal tone, proper citations, logical argumentation, scholarly engagement
• Creative: authentic voice, imagery, narrative flow, emotional resonance

Step 4: Present Corrections

Use one of two formats based on document length and user preference:

Format 1: Tracked Changes (Recommended for shorter works <2000 words)

• Present the full corrected text
• Use [Editorial note in brackets] to explain significant changes
• Summarize major patterns of errors at the end
• Highlight strengths of the writing

Format 2: Categorized Feedback (For longer works >2000 words)

• Provide summary of main issues by category (grammar, style, structure)
• Give specific examples with corrections
• Suggest broader patterns to address throughout
• Offer 2-3 overall recommendations
• If requested, provide corrected sample sections

Step 5: Respond to Follow-up

Be prepared to:

• Clarify specific corrections
• Explain grammar rules or style choices
• Provide alternative phrasings
• Focus on specific sections
• Adjust tone or style based on feedback

Key Principles

Respect the Author's Voice

• Preserve unique phrasing and style choices when possible
• Suggest rather than dictate style changes
• Distinguish between errors and stylistic preferences

Context Matters

• Sermons may use intentional fragments for emphasis
• Academic writing requires formal precision
• Devotionals allow creative flexibility
• Match correction level to writing type

Biblical Accuracy

• Verify Scripture quotations when possible
• Ensure citations are complete and accurate
• Respect theological nuance in terminology
• Flag potentially confusing or misleading phrasing

US English Standards

• Apply US spelling consistently (color, realize, theater)
• Use Oxford comma in series
• Follow US quotation mark conventions (periods inside quotes)
• Apply standard US capitalization for religious terms

Common Issues to Watch For

In Pastoral Writing

• Overuse of Christian clichés
• Vague pronouns ("this," "that," "it" without clear antecedent)
• Inconsistent verb tense when discussing Scripture
• Missing or incorrect Scripture citations
• Overly complex sentences that obscure meaning

In Academic Writing

• Mixing informal and formal tone
• Incomplete or inconsistent citations
• Unsupported claims
• Unclear thesis or argument structure
• Colloquial language

In Creative Devotional Writing

• Forced or mixed metaphors
• Preachy or guilt-manipulative tone
• Spiritual platitudes without depth
• Unclear connection between story and spiritual insight
• Inconsistent narrative voice

Examples

Example 1: Pastoral Sermon Correction

Original: "God is calling we to a deeper faith, its not about religion but relationship."

Corrected: "God is calling us to a deeper faith. It's not about religion but about relationship."

Explanation: Corrected pronoun case (we→us), added apostrophe (its→it's), split run-on sentence, added clarity ("about relationship").

Example 2: Academic Style Enhancement

Original: "Paul basically says that we should love each other in Romans 12."

Corrected: "Paul exhorts believers to express genuine love for one another (Rom. 12:9-10)."

Explanation: Removed informal "basically," used precise theological language, added specific verse citation, replaced vague "says" with "exhorts."

Example 3: Creative Devotional Refinement

Original: "I learned that God is always there for us no matter what happens in life."

Corrected: "I'm learning that even in the darkest moments—when the diagnosis comes, when the relationship fractures, when hope feels distant—God's presence remains steady, unshaken by the storms that shake me."

Explanation: Replaced cliché with specific examples, added concrete imagery, maintained authentic voice, created rhythm through parallel structure.

Tips for Best Results

• Provide context about the intended audience
• Specify if maintaining the author's voice is priority
• Indicate any time constraints (light edit vs. comprehensive revision)
• Flag any sections with particular concerns
• Share if this is a first draft or near-final version