diff --git a/agents/agent-evaluator.md b/agents/agent-evaluator.md
index 04317118..c44242ba 100644
--- a/agents/agent-evaluator.md
+++ b/agents/agent-evaluator.md
@@ -203,4 +203,4 @@ TOP IMPROVEMENTS:
   3. [Completeness] Handle 429, connection errors, and timeout
 
 VERDICT: Redo with specific fixes. Weakest axis: Accuracy (2/5).
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
diff --git a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/SKILL.md b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/SKILL.md
index 0e1a2fd6..4e241380 100644
--- a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/SKILL.md
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ If any axis scored 3 or below:
 
 1. State what you would do differently
 2. If the gap is fixable in < 30 seconds (missing link, unclear phrasing), fix it now
-3. If the gap requires rework, flag it explicitly: "This axis scored __ because __. Re-running with __ would likely raise it to __."
+3. If the gap requires rework, flag it explicitly: "This axis scored [reason] because [evidence]. Re-running with [specific fix] would likely raise it to [score]."
 
 ## Code Examples
 
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ Overall: 2.8 — Wrong library used. Needs httpx rewrite.
 ### "Everything is a 5"
 
 ```
-❌ Accuracy:    5 — All good.
+FAIL: Accuracy:    5 — All good.
    Completeness: 5 — Everything covered.
    Clarity:      5 — Clear.
 ```
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ No evidence cited. This is self-congratulation, not evaluation. A real 5 require
 ### Over-penalizing for scope creep
 
 ```
-❌ Completeness: 2 — Didn't handle WebSocket connections or
+FAIL: Completeness: 2 — Didn't handle WebSocket connections or
    gRPC streaming (user didn't ask for these)
 ```
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ Only evaluate against what the user actually requested, not what you could have
 ### Using the evaluation to re-litigate
 
 ```
-❌ "As I said earlier, this approach is wrong. Score: 1"
+FAIL: "As I said earlier, this approach is wrong. Score: 1"
 ```
 
 The evaluation is about the delivered output, not about re-arguing design decisions that were already made. If the approach was wrong, that should have been caught before delivery.
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ The evaluation is about the delivered output, not about re-arguing design decisi
 ### Mixing personal preference with objective gaps
 
 ```
-❌ "Score: 3. I don't like Python decorators."
+FAIL: "Score: 3. I don't like Python decorators."
 ```
 
 "Don't like" is not evidence. Cite a concrete readability, testability, or correctness concern, or leave the score at 4+.
diff --git a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/references/evaluation-criteria.md b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/references/evaluation-criteria.md
index 9a352bf1..fbb3cf90 100644
--- a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/references/evaluation-criteria.md
+++ b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/references/evaluation-criteria.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ This reference provides concrete scoring anchors for each axis. Use it when you'
 
 ### When the user gave unclear instructions
 
-If the user's request was ambiguous, do NOT penalize completeness for not reading minds. Instead, note in the evaluation: "User's request was ambiguous about __. I chose interpretation __. If they meant __, this score would drop to __."
+If the user's request was ambiguous, do NOT penalize completeness for not reading minds. Instead, note in the evaluation: "User's request was ambiguous about [scope]. I chose interpretation [chosen interpretation]. If they meant [alternative interpretation], this score would drop to [score]."
 
 ### When the task is inherently simple
 
diff --git a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/templates/evaluation-report.md b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/templates/evaluation-report.md
index 46737092..bbc06d4b 100644
--- a/skills/agent-self-evaluation/templates/evaluation-report.md
+++ b/skills/agent-self-evaluation/templates/evaluation-report.md
@@ -83,4 +83,4 @@ Skip the evaluation if:
 | ≥4.5 | Deliver as-is. No changes needed. |
 | 3.5–4.4 | Flag top improvement but deliver. Fix if <30 seconds. |
 | 2.5–3.4 | State what you'd change. Ask user: "Should I redo [axis] or deliver as-is?" |
-| <2.5 | Don't deliver. Say: "This scored __ because __. Let me redo this with [specific fix]." Then redo. |
+| <2.5 | Don't deliver. Say: "This scored [score] because [evidence]. Let me redo this with [specific fix]." Then redo. |