The CR-IMRaD Specification (v3.1)

Download the definitive master specification reference document (PDF).

Download PDF

JSON Interface Definition

Structural JSON schemas for writing and parsing CR-IMRaD inputs.

Download JSON

Interactive Legibility Demo

Demonstrates the "Skimmable Path" protocol. Toggle the switch below to dim the non-essential syntax and read only the bolded knowledge trail.

CR-IMRaD 3.1 is a writing standard that converts dense technical knowledge into documents anyone can read. It forces authors to open with a physical metaphor before introducing technical terms, compress their thesis into a bolded skimmable path, and place citations on the same page as their references.
Enable Skimmable Path

Macro-Architecture: The Hourglass

1. Introduction

The Universal Metaphor

The top of the glass. You are forbidden to introduce technical systems using jargon. You must begin with an accessible, concrete physical metaphor to ground the reader's working memory.

2. Methods

The Technical Mechanism

The neck of the hourglass. Here, the text narrows to formal, rigorous mapping, establishing explicit, mathematical correspondences between the metaphor and physical reality.

3. Results & Discussion

The Resolution

The base. Solve the metaphor's opening problem using the technical truths established in the methods, leaving the reader satisfied with high-density data resolution.

Micro-Architecture Rules

Brevity Limits

Instructional sentences must not exceed 20 words. Descriptive sentences must not exceed 25 words. Maintain one topic per paragraph.

Active Voice Mandate

Replace 'to be' verbs with active verbs. Strip weasel words (seems, slightly, mostly) to produce objective, clear text.

Simple Concept Test

Every concept must be drawable as a box starting with "a" or "an". Relationships must form valid, readable English sentences.

Spatial Contiguity

Zero page-flipping. Text must be integrated directly into diagrams, and full citations reside on the page of reference.

The Automation Framework

Green (Full Auto)
Amber (Semi Auto)
Red (Manual / Review)

GREEN Tier Rules

Fully Automatable

Rules the machine is authorized to check and apply directly without writer intervention.

  • [ Check ] Page geometry, margins, and standard font sizing.
  • [ Check ] Header/footer structures and page number placements.
  • [ Check ] Citation superscript ordering and reference block formatting.
  • [ Check ] Word-count limits on sentences and lines-count on paragraphs.
  • [ Check ] Orphan/widow headings and empty cell detection.
  • [ Check ] Weasel-word pattern scanning and acronym expansion checks.

AMBER Tier Rules

Machine Suggests, Author Confirms

Machine proposes patterns based on heuristics; the author confirms, rejects, or adjusts.

  • [ Suggest ] Bolded keywords to establish a skimmable grammatical path.
  • [ Suggest ] Open metaphors based on domain terminology indexing.
  • [ Suggest ] Simplest Summary drafts derived from document summarization.
  • [ Suggest ] One-sentence plain-language citation summaries.
  • [ Suggest ] Diagram Alt Text and descriptive caption drafts.

RED Tier Rules

Author Must Decide

Subjective, qualitative evaluations that require human operator judgment.

  • [ Decide ] Final validation and approval of the bolded skimmable path.
  • [ Decide ] Selection and mapping integrity of the opening Universal Metaphor.
  • [ Decide ] Final wording and accessibility of the Simplest Summary.
  • [ Decide ] Humor evaluation (checking if illustrative cartoon humor serves the truth).
  • [ Decide ] Conflict of interest disclosures and authorship thresholds.