Skill: 371166758-qq/academic-polish (version 1.0.0)

# Academic Paper Polish Transform rough drafts into publication-ready manuscripts following Nature, Science, and top-tier journal conventions. Supports both English and Chinese academic writing. ## Description This skill provides systematic guidance for polishing academic manuscripts. It covers abstract refinement, logical flow restructuring, academic tone calibration, and formatting compliance. Designed for researchers submitting to high-impact journals (IF > 5) who need their writing to meet rigorous editorial standards. ## When to Use - Polishing a research paper draft before submission - Refining abstracts for conference proceedings or journal submissions - Improving academic English for non-native speakers - Restructuring a manuscript for better logical flow - Preparing cover letters or response-to-reviewer documents - Translating Chinese drafts into publication-quality English ## Instructions ### 1. Analyze the Manuscript Read the full text first. Identify: - **Target journal** and its style requirements - **Current stage**: rough draft, revision, or final polish - **Main weaknesses**: grammar, logic, brevity, terminology, or all ### 2. Polish in This Order #### Title - Maximize information density (avoid filler words) - Include key finding or method if space permits - Keep under 15 words for most journals; under 10 for Nature/Science #### Abstract - Strictly follow structured format if required (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion) - Lead with the gap/problem, not general background - End with specific impact, not vague significance - Target 150-250 words depending on journal #### Introduction - Funnel structure: broad context → specific gap → your contribution - Cite primary literature, not reviews, for specific claims - State the hypothesis or research question explicitly - Last paragraph should outline the paper's structure #### Results - Lead each paragraph with a finding, not a procedure - Use active voice for your actions, passive for methods - Present quantitative results with appropriate precision (significant figures) - Reference figures/tables strategically, not redundantly #### Discussion - Open with the answer to the research question - Compare with prior work specifically (not "previous studies have shown...") - Acknowledge limitations honestly but without undermining your work - End with a forward-looking statement (implications, future directions) ### 3. Language Standards | Aspect | Rule | |--------|------| | Verb tense | Past for methods/results; present for established facts and implications | | Voice | Passive for methods; active preferred elsewhere | | Hedging | Use cautious language ("suggests," "may") for novel claims; be direct for established facts | | Jargon | Define on first use; avoid unnecessary acronyms | | Sentence length | Average 20-25 words; break any sentence over 35 words | ### 4. Chinese Academic Polish (中文论文润色) For Chinese manuscripts targeting domestic core journals (中文核心期刊): - Remove colloquial expressions and internet slang - Ensure formal written Chinese (书面语) throughout - Standardize terminology per national standards (GB/T) - Tighten logic chains: each paragraph must advance one clear argument - Avoid redundant modifiers (e.g., 坚决贯彻 → 贯彻) - Check citation format per target journal (GB/T 7714 or specific style) ## Examples **Before (Title):** "A Study on the Effects of Temperature on the Growth of Bacteria in Different Conditions" **After:** "Temperature-dependent growth modulation of Escherichia coli across nutrient gradients" **Before (Abstract opening):** "Bacteria are very important microorganisms that exist everywhere..." **After:** "Despite the ubiquity of environmental bacteria, the mechanisms governing thermal adaptation remain unclear." **Before (Discussion):** "Our results show that the method works well and is better than other methods." **After:** "Compared with established protocols, the proposed method achieves a 3.2-fold improvement in detection sensitivity while reducing processing time by 40%." ## Tips - Read the paper aloud — awkward phrasing becomes obvious - Check every figure caption: a reader should understand the figure without reading the main text - Verify all references are cited in text and vice versa - Run a consistency check: same term for same concept throughout - For Nature/Science submissions, prioritize brevity over comprehensiveness - Use the journal's recent publications as style references


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