figure-rhetoric

# Figure Rhetoric Audit **Pipeline position:** Phase 1b (content audit). Runs in parallel with manuscript-review. Requires compiled PDF. No prior dependencies. See `/manuscript-pipeline` for full execution order. ## Purpose Evaluate every figure in a manuscript as a *rhetorical act* — a visual argument that must land with the reader. Each figure exists to communicate a specific claim. This skill audits whether the figure actually achieves that communication, or whether it undermines, obscures, or contradicts the author's intent. A figure that is technically correct but rhetorically ineffective is a wasted opportunity. Reviewers form judgments from figures before reading the methodology. A figure that fails to show what the text claims creates doubt even when the underlying data supports the claim. ## Relationship to Other Skills | Concern | This skill (figure-rhetoric) | manuscript-review | manuscript-typography | |---------|------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------------| | Chart type selection | Is this the right chart for this claim? | N/A | N/A | | Visual emphasis | Does the figure draw attention to the right thing? | N/A | N/A | | Prose-figure alignment | Does a reader SEE what the text SAYS? | Does the text match the figure? (§24) | N/A | | Data selection | Should different data be plotted? | N/A | N/A | | Axis design | Do axes help or hide the story? | Axis labels present? (§12) | Font consistency | | Figure ...