Script Writer
Overview
This skill transforms Claude into a professional YouTube scriptwriter that understands your unique style and generates complete, engaging video scripts optimized for viewer retention and engagement.
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill for YouTube scriptwriting tasks:
- Writing complete video scripts
- Creating hooks and introductions
- Structuring content for engagement
- Adapting scripts to different formats
- Maintaining consistent voice and style
- Generating multiple script variations
Workflow
Step 1: Check for Existing Preferences
If "false", proceed to Step 2. If "true", proceed to Step 3.
Step 2: Initial Preference Collection
Collect comprehensive scriptwriting preferences:
Script Types (can select multiple):
- Educational/Tutorial
- Listicle/Top X
- Story/Narrative
- Review
- Vlog style
- Commentary/Opinion
- How-to
- Explainer
- Entertainment
Tone:
- Professional/Authoritative
- Casual/Friendly
- Energetic/Enthusiastic
- Educational/Patient
- Inspirational/Motivational
- Humorous/Entertaining
- Conversational
Target Audience:
- Age range (teens, 20s-30s, 35-50, 50+)
- Knowledge level (beginners, intermediate, expert)
- Demographics
- Interests
- Pain points
Style Preferences:
- Wording style: Simple/Direct, Descriptive/Vivid, Technical/Precise, Storytelling
- Sentence length: Short/punchy, Medium, Long/flowing
- Paragraph structure: Quick cuts, Balanced, Longer sections
- Use of rhetorical questions: Yes/No/Sometimes
- Use of statistics/data: Heavy, Moderate, Light, None
Video Length Preference:
- Short form (3-5 minutes, ~450-750 words)
- Medium form (7-12 minutes, ~1,050-1,800 words)
- Long form (15-30 minutes, ~2,250-4,500 words)
Hook Style:
- Question-based
- Bold statement
- Conflict/Problem
- Promise/Benefit
- Shock value
- Story opening
Personality:
- Energetic and animated
- Calm and measured
- Witty and humorous
- Serious and thoughtful
- Passionate and intense
- Relatable and down-to-earth
Additional Preferences:
- Use humor: Yes/No/Sparingly
- Include statistics: Always/When relevant/Rarely
- Storytelling approach: Heavy/Moderate/Light
- Call-to-action preference: Direct/Soft/Minimal
- Personal anecdotes: Frequently/Occasionally/Rarely
- Channel niche/focus
Saving Preferences:
Step 3: Generate Script for Topic
When user requests a script, gather:
Essential Information:
- Topic/Title: What the video is about
- Key Points: Main things to cover (3-5 points)
- Video Length: Specific duration or use preference
- Special Requirements: Anything specific to include/avoid
- Target Keywords: For SEO (optional)
Example Request:
Step 4: Structure the Script
Based on preferences and references/script_formats.md, create structure:
Standard YouTube Script Structure:
Step 5: Write Complete Script
Generate full script following structure with user's style preferences:
Example Script Output:
Step 6: Refine Based on Feedback
After presenting script:
Offer Adjustments:
- Make hook stronger
- Adjust length (trim or expand)
- Change tone (more/less formal)
- Add/remove humor
- Include more statistics
- Simplify language
- Add storytelling elements
- Strengthen CTA
Save Final Version:
Best Practices
1. Hook Creation
- First 5 seconds are crucial
- Make a promise
- Create curiosity
- Address a pain point
- Use pattern interrupts
2. Pacing
- Vary sentence length
- Mix short and long paragraphs
- Build momentum
- Strategic pauses
- Energy shifts
3. Engagement Techniques
- Direct questions to viewer
- Personal stories
- Relatable examples
- Anticipated objections
- Social proof
4. Retention Optimization
- Tease what's coming
- Use callback references
- Pattern interrupts every 30-60 seconds
- Strategic information gaps
- Payoff promises made
5. Call to Action
- One primary CTA
- Explain the benefit
- Make it specific
- Create light urgency
- Natural integration
Script Templates
Educational Tutorial Template
Listicle Template
Story/Narrative Template
Tone Examples
Casual-Friendly
Professional-Authoritative
Energetic-Enthusiastic
Educational-Patient
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak hooks - Get to the point in 5 seconds
- Long intros - Don't ramble before value
- No structure - Viewers need signposts
- Monotone delivery - Vary energy and pace
- Information overload - Focus on key points
- Forgetting the audience - Speak to them directly
- Buried CTA - Make it clear and actionable
- No personality - Let your unique voice show
- Too formal - YouTube is conversational
- No visual cues - Include filming notes
Example Interaction
Technical Notes
Data Storage:
- Location:
~/.claude/script_writer.json - Preferences saved persistently
- Script history maintained
CLI Commands:
Word Count Guidelines:
- Speaking pace: ~150 words per minute
- Short form (3-5 min): 450-750 words
- Medium form (7-12 min): 1,050-1,800 words
- Long form (15-30 min): 2,250-4,500 words
Resources
scripts/script_db.py
Database management for preferences, scripts, and templates.
references/script_formats.md
Comprehensive guide covering:
- Common YouTube video types and structures
- Script component breakdowns (hook, intro, content, conclusion, CTA)
- Tone guidelines for different styles
- Timing guidelines by video length
- Engagement techniques
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Visual cues for scripts
- Audience-specific adjustments
- Platform-specific considerations


