---
name: voice-extractor
description: Extract and document someone's authentic writing voice from samples. Use when someone needs a "voice guide," wants to capture their writing DNA, or needs to train AI to write in their style. Also useful for ghostwriting, brand voice documentation, or onboarding writers.
---
# Voice Extractor
AI-generated content all sounds the same. The fix isn't better prompts — it's teaching the AI how you actually communicate.
This skill extracts your communication DNA from writing samples and produces a Voice Guide: documented, tested, and ready to use.
---
## Mode
Detect from context or ask: *"Quick voice snapshot, full Voice Guide, or full guide with examples?"*
| Mode | What you get | Best for |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `quick` | Top 5 voice characteristics + 3 do/don't rules | Fast style reference, single piece |
| `standard` | Full Voice Guide: tone, vocabulary, rhythm, structure | AI training, ghostwriting, brand documentation |
| `deep` | Full Voice Guide + 10 sample rewrites + writing rules checklist + AI training examples | Onboarding writers, building a brand voice system |
**Default: `standard`** — use `quick` if they just need a fast reference. Use `deep` if they're onboarding a ghostwriter or building a content team.
---
## Context Loading Gates
**Before extracting, collect:**
- [ ] **Writing samples** — minimum 3 samples OR 500 total words (see priority list below)
- [ ] **Purpose of voice guide** — AI training? Ghostwriter onboarding? Team alignment?
- [ ] **Confidence zones** — Any topics where they want to sound more/less authoritative?
- [ ] **Known anti-patterns** — Any words or phrases they already know they want to avoid?
**Sample priority (most → least authentic):**
1. Casual Slack or email (raw, unedited voice)
2. Podcast or call transcript
3. LinkedIn posts or articles
4. Website copy (often edited, less authentic)
**Minimum sample gate:** If samples total under 500 words, stop:
> "These samples are too short to extract reliable patterns. Please add 2-3 more — emails, Slack messages, or transcripts work best. The messier and more casual, the better."
Do not attempt full extraction from under 500 words. Offer quick mode instead.
---
## Phase 1: Sample Quality Assessment
Before extracting, reason through:
1. **Sample authenticity:** Are these samples from edited/polished contexts (website, press) or raw contexts (Slack, email)? More polish = less authentic voice.
2. **Sample variety:** Do the samples cover different contexts (professional, casual, educational)? Single-context samples produce single-dimension voice guides.
3. **Exclusion check:** Identify and flag patterns that are NOT the authentic voice:
- Platform formatting tics (LinkedIn line breaks, Twitter brevity forcing)
- Typos and autocorrect errors
- Phrases borrowed from others (quotes, retweets)
- Unusually formal writing (legal docs, press releases)
4. **Sample size adequacy:** Is there enough material for full mode, or should I use quick mode?
Output a sample assessment:
> "I have [X samples / Y words] to work with. Quality: [high/medium — why]. I'll use [full/quick] mode. Excluding: [any patterns and why]."
---
## Phase 2: Core Energy Extraction
Identify the fundamental communication mode:
**Role:**
- Teacher (breaks things down systematically)
- Challenger (pushes back on assumptions)
- Cheerleader (builds confidence and momentum)
- Straight-shooter (cuts through BS efficiently)
**Default energy:**
- Calm authority ("Here's what works.")
- High enthusiasm ("This is exciting — let me show you.")
- Understated confidence ("I've seen this a hundred times.")
**Recurring themes:** What topics appear unprompted across samples? These are the things they actually care about.
---
## Phase 3: Phrase Extraction (Systematic)
Scan all samples and extract:
**Transition phrases** (how they shift topics):
- Quote exact examples from samples
- Pattern: "Here's the thing...", "What I've learned...", "Let me put it differently..."
**Emphasis phrases** (how they land a point):
- Quote exact examples
- Pattern: "The reality is...", "This is the part people miss...", "Here's the actual problem..."
**Closers** (how they wrap up):
- Quote exact examples
- Pattern: "That's the move.", "Start there.", "You've got this."
---
## Phase 4: Confidence Zone Mapping
| Zone | Description | Language Markers |
|---|---|---|
| Full authority | Topics they're an expert in | No hedging, definitive statements, "here's what works" |
| Earned perspective | Topics with experience but not mastery | "In my experience...", "What I've found..." |
| Active exploration | Topics they're learning now | "I'm testing this...", "What I'm seeing..." |
Map their stated expertise areas to each zone. This calibration is what makes the voice feel real vs. one-dimensional.
---
## Phase 5: Anti-Pattern Documentation
Extract what they'd NEVER say:
- Words that would feel wrong in their voice
- Phrases that make them cringe
- Tones they naturally avoid
- Industry jargon they hate
Source these from sample evidence where possible: "You never used [word] across [X samples] — it doesn't fit your voice."
---
## Phase 6: Validation Test (REQUIRED)
After extracting the full profile, generate 2 test sentences on the same topic:
**Version A** (using the extracted voice profile):
> "[Sample sentence in their voice]"
**Version B** (wrong voice — contrasting example):
> "[Same content, different voice — shows what to avoid]"
Ask the user: "Does Version A actually sound like you when you're not overthinking it? What feels off?"
This validation catches extraction errors before the guide is put into production.
---
## Quick Mode (`--quick`)
When samples are thin (300–500 words) or time is short:
1. Read 3 samples fast
2. Pull 10 signature phrases
3. Note 3 things they'd never say
4. Write 1 sentence describing their energy
**Output:** Minimum viable voice guide.
**Difference from full mode:**
- Quick: ~10 phrases, 3 anti-patterns, 1-sentence energy descriptor
- Full: Complete profile with confidence calibration, validated test sentences, and source-cited examples
---
## Phase 7: Self-Critique Pass (REQUIRED)
After generating the Voice Guide:
- [ ] Are the extracted phrases actually from the samples, or am I inferring them?
- [ ] Does the anti-pattern list include specific words/phrases, or just vague categories?
- [ ] Do the validation test sentences demonstrate a real difference between in-voice and out-of-voice?
- [ ] Is the confidence zone mapping specific to named topics, or just generic?
- [ ] Would a ghostwriter be able to use this guide without asking follow-up questions?
Flag any issues: "The anti-pattern section only has 2 entries — not enough for a usable guide. I need more samples or direct input from the user."
---
## Output Structure
```markdown
## Voice Guide: [Name] — [Date]
### Sample Assessment
- Samples: [count, types]
- Total words: [count]
- Quality: [high/medium — reason]
- Mode: [quick/full]
- Excluded: [patterns excluded + why]
---
### Core Energy
- Role: [teacher/challenger/cheerleader/straight-shooter]
- Default energy: [description]
- Recurring themes: [list]
### Signature Phrases
**Transitions:**
- "[Phrase]" (source: [email/post])
- "[Phrase]"
**Emphasis:**
- "[Phrase]" (source: [email/post])
**Closers:**
- "[Phrase]"
### Confidence Calibration
**Full authority (no hedging):**
Topics: [list]
Sounds like: "[example sentence]"
**Earned perspective:**
Topics: [list]
Sounds like: "[example sentence]"
**Active exploration:**
Topics: [list]
Sounds like: "[example sentence]"
### Anti-Patterns (Never Use)
- [Word/phrase] — why: [evidence from samples]
- [Word/phrase] — why: [evidence]
### Validation Test
**This sounds like you:**
"[Version A]"
**This doesn't:**
"[Version B — contrast]"
### Self-Critique Notes
[Any gaps, things to validate with user]
### Usage Instructions
- For AI: Paste this guide into your system prompt
- For ghostwriter: Share on day 1 — cuts revision cycles in half
- For team: This is the benchmark for "on brand"
```
---
*Skill by Brian Wagner | AI Marketing Architect | brianrwagner.com*