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.