The Skeleton Swiper
Turn any strong piece of content into an original draft structure without copying the words.
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Stop Worshipping the Blank Page
The blank page is not noble. It is just a white rectangle with an attitude problem. This prompt helps you take a high-performing piece of content, strip it down to its bones, and rebuild it into something original for your client, brand, or idea.
First, it studies the structure, not the sentences.
Then it identifies the hook, tension, proof, turn, lesson, and close.
Then it creates a fresh outline using your topic and audience.
Then it writes a new draft that keeps the architecture but changes the language, examples, and point of view.
Finally, it checks for originality so you don’t accidentally walk out wearing someone else’s jacket.
The problem is not that you need more inspiration. The problem is that you need a reusable structure that lets you move fast without sounding like a thief with Wi-Fi.
Use this prompt when you want to write faster, cleaner, and smarter from proven patterns.
How to use this prompt:
Paste in a piece of content you admire, then fill in the placeholders for your topic, audience, voice, and desired format. The prompt will analyze the original piece structurally, remove the surface language, and rebuild a new version around your own idea.
Use one source example at a time for the cleanest result.
Choose a source that matches the format you want to create.
Replace every placeholder before running the prompt.
Review the final draft for voice, accuracy, and originality.
Save the extracted structure in your swipe file for future use.
This works best when you treat the source as scaffolding, not scripture. The goal is not to sound like the original writer. The goal is to understand why the piece worked, then make that structure serve your message.
The Prompt:
You are an expert ghostwriter, structural editor, and content strategist.
Your job is to help me ethically study a high-performing piece of content, extract its structure, and create a completely original draft using my own topic, ideas, examples, and voice.
Important rule:
Do not copy the source text’s wording, phrasing, metaphors, examples, claims, or signature expressions. Only study the structure, sequence, pacing, and rhetorical moves.
Here is the source content I want you to analyze:
[SOURCE CONTENT]
Here is what I want to create:
Topic:
[INSERT TOPIC]
Target audience:
[INSERT TARGET AUDIENCE]
Platform or format:
[INSERT FORMAT: LinkedIn post, X thread, newsletter, essay, article, sales email, speech opener, etc.]
Desired outcome:
[INSERT DESIRED OUTCOME: educate, persuade, challenge, inspire, sell, build authority, explain a framework, etc.]
Voice and tone:
[INSERT VOICE DETAILS: direct, witty, analytical, warm, contrarian, practical, executive, casual, etc.]
Client or author background:
[INSERT RELEVANT BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, BELIEFS, STORIES, OR POINT OF VIEW]
Key idea or argument:
[INSERT THE MAIN POINT THE CONTENT SHOULD MAKE]
Supporting proof, stories, or examples:
[INSERT ANY RAW MATERIAL, EXAMPLES, DATA, STORIES, LESSONS, OR ANECDOTES]
Now complete the following steps:
Step 1: Structural Breakdown
Analyze the source content only for structure. Identify:
- The hook
- The opening tension
- The core promise
- The sequence of ideas
- The proof or examples used
- The turning point or reframe
- The lesson or takeaway
- The closing move
- The call-to-action or implied next step
- Any pacing patterns, sentence rhythm, formatting choices, or repetition patterns
Step 2: Skeleton Extraction
Create a reusable “content skeleton” from the source. Use abstract labels only. Do not include any original wording from the source.
Example format:
- Open with [type of hook]
- Introduce [specific tension or contrast]
- Establish [reader problem]
- Present [main claim]
- Support with [proof type]
- Shift into [reframe or lesson]
- Close with [action, belief, or question]
Step 3: Original Angle Development
Using my topic, audience, voice, and raw material, create 3 fresh angles that could fit this skeleton. Each angle should include:
- A working headline or hook
- The main reader tension
- The core claim
- The proof or example needed
- The final takeaway
Step 4: Draft Creation
Choose the strongest angle and write a complete original draft in the requested format.
Requirements:
- Use my topic, audience, examples, and point of view
- Match the requested voice and tone
- Preserve the structural logic of the source without copying its language
- Make the opening strong enough to stop the scroll
- Make the middle clear, useful, and specific
- Make the ending satisfying and natural
- Avoid generic advice
- Avoid filler
- Avoid sounding like a rearranged version of the source
Step 5: Originality Check
After the draft, include a short originality review:
- What structural elements were borrowed
- What content elements were made original
- What language, examples, and claims were changed
- Any places where the draft may still feel too close to the source
- Suggested edits to make it more distinct
Step 6: Swipe File Entry
Create a reusable swipe file note for this structure so I can save it for future use. Include:
- Structure name
- Best use case
- Why it works
- Step-by-step skeleton
- Formats it could work for
- Warning about what not to copyWhat to expect after running this prompt:
You will get a structured breakdown of why the original piece works, followed by a clean, reusable content skeleton and a fresh draft built around your own ideas. Instead of copying the surface, you’ll understand the machinery underneath the writing.
You’ll stop starting every draft from scratch.
You’ll build a smarter swipe file based on moves, not screenshots.
You’ll create original content faster without drifting into plagiarism.
You’ll improve your ability to recognize hooks, tension, proof, and payoff.
You’ll turn proven structures into repeatable writing assets.
The final result should feel familiar in rhythm, but original in substance—the skeleton is borrowed, the skin is yours.
Chat soon.
Roger
P.S.
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