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Pyramid Principle
The pyramid principle is a clear and organized way of thinking and expression. Its core idea is to divide the expression content into different levels according to logic and importance, presenting a pyramid structure that unfolds from top to bottom step by step. The basic structure of the pyramid principle includes elements such as clear central idea, clear conclusions first, unified above and down, classification and grouping, and logical progression.
Edited at 2025-01-05 21:39:41
- Rumi 10 spiritual high-dimensional awakenings
Rumi: 10 dimensions of spiritual awakening. When you stop looking for yourself, you will find the entire universe because what you are looking for is also looking for you. Anything you do persevere every day can open a door to the depths of your spirit. In silence, I slipped into the secret realm, and I enjoyed everything to observe the magic around me, and didn't make any noise. Why do you like to crawl when you are born with wings? The soul has its own ears and can hear things that the mind cannot understand. Seek inward for the answer to everything, everything in the universe is in you. Lovers do not end up meeting somewhere, and there is no parting in this world. A wound is where light enters your heart.
- Pathophysiology - Heart failure
Chronic heart failure is not just a problem of the speed of heart rate! It is caused by the decrease in myocardial contraction and diastolic function, which leads to insufficient cardiac output, which in turn causes congestion in the pulmonary circulation and congestion in the systemic circulation. From causes, inducement to compensation mechanisms, the pathophysiological processes of heart failure are complex and diverse. By controlling edema, reducing the heart's front and afterload, improving cardiac comfort function, and preventing and treating basic causes, we can effectively respond to this challenge. Only by understanding the mechanisms and clinical manifestations of heart failure and mastering prevention and treatment strategies can we better protect heart health.
- Pathophysiology - ischemia - reperfusion injury
Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a phenomenon that cellular function and metabolic disorders and structural damage will worsen after organs or tissues restore blood supply. Its main mechanisms include increased free radical generation, calcium overload, and the role of microvascular and leukocytes. The heart and brain are common damaged organs, manifested as changes in myocardial metabolism and ultrastructural changes, decreased cardiac function, etc. Prevention and control measures include removing free radicals, reducing calcium overload, improving metabolism and controlling reperfusion conditions, such as low sodium, low temperature, low pressure, etc. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop effective treatment options and alleviate ischemic injury.
Pyramid Principle
- Rumi 10 spiritual high-dimensional awakenings
Rumi: 10 dimensions of spiritual awakening. When you stop looking for yourself, you will find the entire universe because what you are looking for is also looking for you. Anything you do persevere every day can open a door to the depths of your spirit. In silence, I slipped into the secret realm, and I enjoyed everything to observe the magic around me, and didn't make any noise. Why do you like to crawl when you are born with wings? The soul has its own ears and can hear things that the mind cannot understand. Seek inward for the answer to everything, everything in the universe is in you. Lovers do not end up meeting somewhere, and there is no parting in this world. A wound is where light enters your heart.
- Pathophysiology - Heart failure
Chronic heart failure is not just a problem of the speed of heart rate! It is caused by the decrease in myocardial contraction and diastolic function, which leads to insufficient cardiac output, which in turn causes congestion in the pulmonary circulation and congestion in the systemic circulation. From causes, inducement to compensation mechanisms, the pathophysiological processes of heart failure are complex and diverse. By controlling edema, reducing the heart's front and afterload, improving cardiac comfort function, and preventing and treating basic causes, we can effectively respond to this challenge. Only by understanding the mechanisms and clinical manifestations of heart failure and mastering prevention and treatment strategies can we better protect heart health.
- Pathophysiology - ischemia - reperfusion injury
Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a phenomenon that cellular function and metabolic disorders and structural damage will worsen after organs or tissues restore blood supply. Its main mechanisms include increased free radical generation, calcium overload, and the role of microvascular and leukocytes. The heart and brain are common damaged organs, manifested as changes in myocardial metabolism and ultrastructural changes, decreased cardiac function, etc. Prevention and control measures include removing free radicals, reducing calcium overload, improving metabolism and controlling reperfusion conditions, such as low sodium, low temperature, low pressure, etc. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop effective treatment options and alleviate ischemic injury.
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- Outline
Pyramid Principle
Appendix 2 Preface Structure Example
See page 271
Appendix 1 How to solve the problem without structure
There are three situations without structure
The structure does not exist at all
For example, when you want to invent something new, such as a phone or an underwater tunnel
The structure is invisible
For example, in the brain or DNA, you can only analyze the results
The results cannot be explained
For example, Aristotle's definition of force cannot explain the movement trajectory of the shell, or no matter how you protect it, the tools will mysteriously rust.
Analytical outreach reasoning
In any reasoning process, there are three entities involved.
1. Rules (perspective of how the world is composed)
2. Situation (known facts that already exist in the world) R1
3. Result (what is expected to happen if the rule is used for this situation) R2
The difference between deduction, induction, outreach reasoning
Deductive reasoning
Rules—Scenarios—Results
Inductive reasoning
Situation—Result—Rules
Outreach reasoning
Results – Rules – Situation
Chapter 4: The logic of the demonstration
Chapter 10 Presenting the pyramid in writing
There are many ways to present a pyramid structure in the article:
Multi-level title method
Pay attention to using title
There can't be only one title at each level
Don't use a title to separate the context just to make the page look good, just like newspapers and magazines.
The purpose of the title is to attract the readers' attention.
A title represents an idea that is one of a set of thoughts, and all the thoughts in a group jointly interpret or support the overall idea of the group.
The same thoughts (views, arguments, suggestions, etc.) should use the same sentence pattern
There must be consistency between the ideas of each sub-section in the same group (parallelism)
The essence of the thought should be extracted by the title word
The title is a reminder, not a commander
Be concise.
The title and the text should be considered separately
Title is written more for the eyeball, not for the mind
Each group of titles should be introduced in advance
Introduce in advance to avoid it, readers will only know the argument when they see the end
Don’t write the title of each chapter immediately after the title of the article, and don’t write the title of the first section close to the title of each chapter. There should be a paragraph under the general title, which introduces the main contents of the following titles.
Don't abuse titles
Use only if the title helps to make clear the message you want to convey and helps the reader understand the details of your thoughts.
If the title is properly refined, it can be used as a catalog and summary of the written report. Become another useful tool for readers to align the minds of readers and authors
Underscore method
The question/question structure must be strictly used
The wording of the argument must be paid attention to, and the less information the argument is, the better
If readers have to work hard to read 30 words before grasping the argument, it will be difficult to understand the logical relationship of the article.
The argument must be firmly limited to the framework of deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning
It is impossible to simply list opinions, but ignore the logic of deduction and induction
Deductive reasoning cannot exist more than 4 arguments
Inductive reasoning cannot exist more than 5 arguments
If there are too many arguments beyond the limit, then reconsider classification and grouping
Number numbering method
Any number must present the central level of thought in the article
The number numbering method is best used in conjunction with the multi-level title method
The paragraph where the preface, summary summary, connective comment or introduction to a secondary argument is located does not have to be numbered
Numbering method is shown in the 229th paper book
First line indentation method
If the article is very short and is not suitable to use titles or numbers to present the level of thought, then use the first line indentation method.
Arguments that support or explain the central ideas and main points, if they can be classified and grouped, will be easier for readers to absorb.
An important rule: use the same sentence pattern to express your views.
Examples of improvement are shown in: Paper Book 230 pages
Bulletin Method
A variant of the bullet mage's first line of indentation method.
See page 231 of paper book
When you go from one set of perspectives to another, you must write transitional statements.
There must be filtering between contexts
There should be a transitional sentence between the preface and the main text
In long articles, each set of ideas should also be laid out where the beginning or end of each set of ideas should be made, so that readers can know the relationship between what has been discussed and what is discussed next, while ensuring that the link between the argument and the argument is smooth and not mechanical.
You can use storytelling and connecting the past and the future to lay the groundwork
Tell a story
Tell readers about the background - conflict - doubt trilogy
Regardless of the introductory paragraph in which part of the article, it should only include information that the reader already knows or believes to be true as you
Continue the past and the next
Pick a word, a phrase or summarize its central thought from the first part of the pyramid structure and use it in the starting sentence of the next part.
The link to the previous and next paragraph: See page 235 of the paper book
Summary of various parts
Draw a complete conclusion
Explain the next action
A principle of writing is that the reader will not question the content of the section, that is, the actions to be taken must be logically taken for granted.
Chapter 11 Presenting a pyramid in a PPT presentation
Slide structure presenting the pyramid
background
conflict
Key points of the central idea and key sentences
The first key sentence support thesis
A set of charts or sets of charts under the first support argument
A second support argument is provided with one or a set of charts
The third support argument is provided with one or a set of charts
The second key sentence key points support thesis
Available one or a set of charts under the next support argument
And so on…
Design PPT slideshow
Basic rules:
Text slides should only include the most important, properly grouped and summarized ideas (views, arguments, suggestions, etc.), and should be as concise as possible when narrating.
The presentation should be made of pictures and texts, and various charts (pictures, tables or diagrams) should be used to match them.
The presentation should present a well-thought-out story summary and script
Charts account for 80% and text accounts for 10%
Text slides for
Explain the framework structure of the presentation
Emphasize important ideas, opinions, conclusions, arguments, suggestions or measures to be taken, etc.
Chart slides for use
Explain data and relationships that are difficult to explain clearly in words alone (chart)
Design text PPT slideshow
Be clear about what you want to say
A good slide always delivers information as straightforwardly as possible without wasting the text on turning or introductory language that can be expressed verbally.
Text slides are best used only to emphasize the main arguments in the pyramid
Be clear about what you want to demonstrate
Only one argument is demonstrated and explained at a time
The argument should use a complete declarative sentence, not a title language
Try to be short
It is best not to have more than 6 lines or about 30 words per slide.
If a slide is difficult to explain a point of view, multiple slides can be used
Use simple vocabulary and numbers
Using a long list of words, technical terms, or complex words can distract the audience.
The simpler the number, the better. For example, $4.9 million is easier to remember than $4876,987.
The font size should be large enough
Be sure to preview, so many font sizes can ensure that the farthest audience can see it
Pay attention to the fun of the slides
The most effective way is to increase the fun of your speech
Present with step by step to improve fun
Design chart PPT slideshow
The information conveyed by the chart slide should be as simple as possible, because the audience does not have the opportunity to study it carefully and find out the meaning of each part.
If the chart is too complex, too detailed, or too scattered, a lot of valuable time will be wasted on explanation rather than on discussion.
Questions answered by charts are generally divided into 5 categories
What are the components?
What changes/how?
How are the items distributed?
Correlation between items?
How to compare the quantity?
Compare with the total number?
Compare with each other?
Change over time?
Identify the question you want to answer, use the answer as the title of the chart, and then choose the chart style that best suits the argument
A good chart title can immediately focus the audience on the data you want to emphasize.
How to use various PPT charts
Story meme
See page 249 of paper book
Start making slideshows (sequence)
Try to write the preface in detail and write down every word you want to say in the order you want. This not only ensures that there are no omissions, but also checks again whether the question you answer is still what the audience wants to ask
Use the form of writing a story outline. The order of writing each slide is from top to bottom to the preface, key points and arguments at the next level of the key sentences.
Decide initially what presentation method you are planning to adopt. At this time, you may not have accurate data, but just know the type of data and what relationship you want to express.
Prepare the lecture notes for each slide and make sure the entire presentation is as smooth as the storytelling.
Complete the design and drawing of the slideshow
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!
Chapter 12 The pyramid presents between the lines
Brain drawing (image in the brain)
Articles should make readers feel happy when reading. The simple method is to subjectively imagine the images used to draw ideas (views, arguments, measures)
Use the problem to describe the image.
Copy the image into text
Professor William Minto:
When writing, you are like a commander, commanding thousands of troops, queuing through a narrow pass that can only pass one person at a time; while your readers greet you on the other side, and will not re-form and reorganize. No matter how large or complex the subject is, you can only express it in this way.
In the end, you will find that this is the foreign object that we should do to readers in order and arrangement, and why rhetoric scholars emphasize the topic and ingenuity of wording, but also regard the order and arrangement as the responsibility for those who give them their love. .
Chapter 3: Logic of solving problems
Articles and reports on two commonly used pyramid structures
Research reports and PPT presentations (usually used to give solutions to problems)
Project plan and consulting advice articles (usually used to explain how you set out to solve the problem)
This type of article usually needs to answer the following 3 common questions
What should we do?
Should we do it?
What should we do? what will you do?
The secret to improving the efficiency of some consulting reports is
1. Defining the problem
2. Collect and analyze data in an orderly manner and convert it into a pyramid form
Chapter 8 Definition Issues
Continuous Analysis (Sequence Analysis)
A specific result caused by a specific background becomes an undesired result (R1, current situation, Undesired Results)
"Problem" means that you don't like a certain result (such as a decrease in sales), want to get other results (sales growth), and become the expected result (R2, target, Desired Results).
Continuous analysis can effectively solve the following problems
1. Is there a/is there a problem (or opportunity) possible?
2. What is the problem?
3. Why does it exist (the root cause of the problem, the reason)
4. What can we do?
5. What should we do?
Questions 1 and 2 are the preface, and questions 3-5 are the thoughts, opinions, arguments, and opinions in the pyramid structure.
Framework for defining problems
See page 167 of paper book
Writing the "definitioned question" as a preface
Preface skills, from left to right and down. ↑
Background S=In order to get the supermarket to agree to the trial sales of our new products on its shelves for about a week, our company has been paying it for trial sales of new products for the past few years. The fee is growing every year and is currently $20,000, which is a bit high for a week's shelf usage fee. In order not to make the supermarket more aggressive, we decided to refuse to pay the fee. (Background, Level 1 R1, Level R2, Level - Solution, Level 2 R1, Level 2 R2, Level 2 Solution)
Conflict C=Darkly, the supermarket also refused to let our new products be tried. (Level 3 R1)
Question Q=How should we deal with the problems we face?
Reviewing the question framework method:
Expand the basic part of the problem, as shown in Figure 8-7
At which stage your solution is (has been proposed or accepted)
Ask appropriate questions
Check whether the preamble presents a definition
Check if the pyramid answered this question.
Expand the elements of the problem
Only by identifying 4 elements can the problem be defined:
Etarting Point/Opening Scene
The entry point is the first sentence of the article
During the prologue stage, try to make simple ideas and brief descriptions, and wait until the next stage is unfolded.
Disturbing Event
Something happens to disrupt the normal operation of the structure or process. For example, in the example in Figure 8-7, the price increase of shelves is "confused"
There are 3 reasons for trouble/disturbance:
External reasons
Changes in the environment where the structure or process are located, if new competitors appear, new technologies are switched to, changes in government or consumption policies, etc.
Internal reasons
Changes within the company, such as adding business processes, arranging new computer systems, entering new markets, adjusting product lines, etc.
Other Reasons Recognized Recently
Recognize yourself or have evidence that affirms or may change, such as backward product/process, operational level below average, market research shows changes in consumer attitudes, etc.
Sometimes, due to insufficient information, you can't determine what makes you realize there is a problem, but you can find some of the customers who are not satisfied with the existing structure or process.
Current status, undesired results (R1, Undesired Results)
In the consulting industry, non-expected results are the main motivation for customers to come to consult.
Haunting/confusion may bring opportunities that have not been discovered or emerged yet, but it is more likely:
Negative impact on company structure and processes
Disturbing work in a particular direction
Causing (or should cause) reconsideration about customers, products, processes
Challenge (or should challenge) basic assumptions about customers, markets, competition, core competitiveness, processes or technology
There may be more than one R1 caused by the trouble.
Target, expected result (R2, Desired Results)
Readers want their existing structure or process to produce desired results, rather than undesired results.
If R1 is an opportunity, you want to use it.
Only by making the description of R2 as specific and quantitative as possible can you determine whether the result you go is the expected result.
Sometimes you may not be able to describe the final result of R2, or at all, in this case, just write down in the R2 part and if the problem is solved, the state you want to reach.
In the process of solving problems, each element will change. For example, when you start collecting information, you find that you have a clearer understanding of external changes, so you need to refine and redescribe the essence of R1 and R2.
Regardless of how the various parts of the framework change, the mutual relationship between elements is always dominant.
Discover readers/customer questions
Readers will have different questions at different stages of your elaboration.
Clients/readers will usually want to solve one of the following 7 problems:
How to go from R1 to R2 when facing non-ideal results?
I have a solution from R1 to R2, is this solution correct, or how to implement the solution? (Why should we do what we want to do)
I have a solution from R1 to R2, this solution doesn't work, what should we do?
We have three (different) solutions. Which one should we choose? Which one is the best solution?
Know that reforms must be made, but not sure what goals are and how to achieve them. What should our goals and strategies be?
Not sure if it is in a non-ideal result (R1). Do we have problems? If there is a problem, how can I deal with it? (Typical leverage comparison)
Start writing a preface
Explanation: 178 pages of paper book
Example: Appendix II
Practical cases
Explanation: 183 pages of paper book
Chapter 9 Structured Analysis Problems
The standard process for analyzing problems is:
1. Collect information
2. Description Discovery
3. Go to a conclusion
4. Propose a plan
Start with information
1. Before collecting data, perform structured analysis of the problem (outreach reasoning)
Propose various assumptions
Design one or several important experiments to exclude one or more hypotheses based on the results produced
Definite conclusions through experiments
Take remedial measures accordingly
2. Analyze the entire company and the entire industry
Discover the key factors for the success of the industry, study market characteristics, "price-cost-investment" characteristics, technical needs, industrial structure and profitability;
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of customers based on sales and market position, technical position, economic structure, financial and cost final accounts;
Compare customer performance with key factors in success;
Make specific suggestions for seizing opportunities and solving problems
Design diagnostic framework
Use the diagnostic framework to analyze the situation of problems arising from customers:
1. Imagine the possible causes of the problem and list them all.
2. Adopt the principle of "complete exhaustion and mutual independence".
3. Screen possible causes.
This diagnosis reveals the elements and reasons that your analysis needs to focus on.
Example: See page 188 of paper book
There are only 3 methods for structured analysis
Present a tangible structure
Any company or industry should have a clear structure.
You can use tangible structures to analyze R1 in a targeted manner
Looking for causal reasons
The second method is to find elements, behaviors, and tasks that have causal relationships.
Draw a tree diagram based on the topic problem. When analyzing the lowest specific reasons, what are the main causes of the problems?
Classification and grouping
Using diagnostic framework
Problems faced by customers
Collect information based on logical framework
Methods of analysis
Analysis method (suitable for consultants who have a sufficient understanding of the industry)
What are the shortcomings of the company
What do you want to discover?
Form problems that require collection of information;
1. Ordering and delivery time – Are the promised delivery time not competitive? Is the delivery as promised?
2. Procurement system - Are there any delays or excessive costs in purchasing raw materials, parts and auxiliary materials?
3. Supply of stock items - Does external storage increase costs?
4. Existing production capacity - Can production capacity meet the predicted demand?
5. System cost - Does local management control cause imbalance in the entire system and increase the costs of other parts?
6. Management report - Do order status and labor efficiency reports play a necessary control role?
Start planning to collect information
Determine the source of each piece of data and assign collection tasks.
See page 201 of paper book
Create a logical tree
Find a solution
See page 202 of paper book
Find the shortcomings of each group of ideas
See page 204 of paper book
Issue analysis
Analysis of right and wrong issues only historical development
Why learn the pyramid principle?
① In order to become a person with clear logic and clear structure
② We hope to speak out the point and answer the audience (listeners, readers and students) questions positively when expressing (writing, speaking and training).
③ Understand how to build a framework structure and organize the order of statements, and explain the point of view in the shortest time, so that the audience is interested, understand, and remember.
④ We also hope that all members of the organization can communicate in a unified logic, structure and method to quickly resonate and reach consensus.
The basic concept of the pyramid principle
The pyramid principle is a way of thinking, communication, and standardized actions that are prominent, clear logic, clear hierarchy, and simple and easy to understand.
The basic structure of the pyramid principle is: conclusions come first, above and below, classification and grouping, and logic progression. First, it is important and then it is secondary, first summarize and then it is specific, first framework and then the details, first conclusion and then the reason, first result and then the process, first argument and then the argument.
Pyramid principle training expressors: pay attention to and explore the audience's intentions, needs, interests, concerns and interests, what (content) to explain, how to say (idea, structure), and structure according to the standard structure and standard actions of communication.
The communication effect that the pyramid can achieve; clear views, prominent key points, clear ideas, clear levels, simple and easy to understand, so that the audience is interested, understand, and remember.
The pyramid principle can help you solve these problems.
Thinking: Learn to use the right brain and left brain to think whole brain, improve structured thinking ability, and think comprehensively, accurately and quickly.
Written expression and official document writing: can explore readers' concerns, interests, needs and interests, be able to use the pyramid's four principles to build a logically clear structure of common official document (notifications, requests, work plans, work summary, meetings Minutes and reports), master the four elements of writing prefaces, and the MECE principle of classification and grouping, which can highlight the key points, clear logic, make people understand, willing to read, and remember. Write articles quickly, shorten writing time, and reduce the number of modifications.
Oral expression: speaking, speaking, speaking, and giving lectures, being able to use the basic principles of the pyramid to answer the four most commonly used questions of the audience: "What? Why? How? Is it good?" The key points are prominent and organized, so that people are willing to listen , understand, remember, and become a person with clear ideas and concise words.
Management subordinates: Be able to use the pyramid principle, consider comprehensive, thoughtful and rigorous, and do not overlap and omissions in assignment of tasks and design processes.
Trainers develop courses and lectures: they can use pyramids to build framework structures, organizational materials, highlight key points, clear logic, and easy to understand.
Article 1 Logic of expression
Chapter 1 Why use pyramid structure
Classification and grouping Organize ideas into pyramids
The brain will automatically organize everything found in some order.
The brain will think that there is some connection between anything that happens simultaneously. And these things will be organized in a certain logical pattern.
For example, when ancient Greeks looked at the starry sky, they saw various patterns composed of stars, rather than scattered stars.
Two "habits" of the brain
①: Memorize no more than 7 thoughts, concepts or projects.
②: Find logical relationships.
Grouping ideas or concepts in logical ways is not enough, and its logical relationship must also be found. The function of classification is not just to divide a group of 9 concepts into three groups of concepts with 4, 3 and 2 concepts in each group, because in this way, there are still 9 concepts. What you have to do is to improve an abstraction level and turn the 9 items that your brain needs to process into 3 items.
The most effective way to express it is: first propose a general concept and then list specific items. Since, we must express our thoughts from top to bottom.
Express from bottom to top, and the conclusion comes first
Clarifying the order of expressing ideas is the most important way to write a clear article.
Clear order: first propose summary ideas, and then propose specific ideas that are summarized. You must remember the specific order of expression first.
The audience's brain can only understand the thoughts expressed by the author (lecturer) sentence by sentence. They will assume that there is some logical relationship between the ideas that appear together. If you do not tell them this logical relationship in advance, but just express your thoughts sentence by sentence, readers will automatically find common ground from it and classify the ideas you express so that the meaning of each combination is.
Donkeys have nothing to do with pears, but if you say "a donkey, and a pear", readers will think of donkeys eating pears.
No matter how high the readers’ IQ is, the ability to use their thinking is limited.
The first part of the thinking ability is used to identify and interpret the words read.
The second part is used to find out the relationship between each idea.
The third part is used to understand the meaning of the expressed thoughts.
Reduce the thinking ability consumed in the first and second parts, so that readers can concentrate on understanding the meaning of the thoughts expressed
Think from top to bottom, summarize
Summary into the order of articles
1: Write a sentence containing a single idea or concept. (yellow apple, red apple, green apple)
2: Combine sentences containing individual thoughts or concepts into paragraphs. (Yellow apple, red apple, green apple = apple, big banana, small banana = banana)
3: Combine paragraphs into chapters to jointly support the single idea of chapters. (Yellow apple, red apple, green apple, apple, fruit, banana, big banana, small banana)
4: Combine chapters into articles to support the single idea expressed in the article. (Fruits and crops are plants)
Continuously summarize upward and use countless small concepts as arguments to support the central idea.
Your article must comply with these rules, and the thoughts in the pyramid are related in 3 ways
Any level of thought in the article must be a summary of the thoughts at the next level.
Your main activity in thinking and writing is to summarize and abstract more specific ideas into new ideas.
The ideas in each group must belong to the same logical category
If you want to increase the abstraction of a certain set of ideas by one level, the ideas in this set must have logical commonalities.
For example: You can logically classify apples and bananas as fruits, or you can summarize tables and chairs as homes. But how can I put the apple and the chair in the same group? It is not enough to just improve one abstract level, because the previous abstract level is the category of fruit and home. Therefore, you must raise the greater and higher level and summarize it as "items", but such a summary is too broad and it is difficult to explain the logical relationship between the various groups of thoughts.
An easy way to check your grouping of ideas is whether you can identify all ideas that are reorganized with a single word, according to which all ideas in the group can be called "suggestions", "reasons", or "problems" ”, “changes that need to be made” and other terms. There is no limit to the types of thoughts, but the thoughts in each group must belong to the same category and must be expressed in a single word.
The ideas in each group must be organized in a logical order
There must be clear reasons why the second idea is put second, not first or third.
See Chapter 6 for detailed logical order organization methods
Therefore, the key to writing a clear article is to put your thoughts into the pyramid structure before you start writing and test them according to the above rules. If any of the above rules cannot be met, it means that there is a problem with your thinking, or your thoughts have not been fully improved, or the way you organize your thoughts cannot immediately let readers understand what you express. At this time, you should adjust your thinking to make it conform to the rules of the pyramid principle, thus avoiding the hassle of rewriting the article repeatedly.
Chapter 2 The structure inside the pyramid
Don’t fantasize about starting to organize your thoughts into a pyramid as soon as you sit down. First of all, you must sort out the thoughts you want to express.
Vertical relationship
Vertical connections can attract readers' attention very well. Through vertical connections, you can lead to a question/answer conversation. This will make readers have great interest in reading. Because this vertical relationship forces the reader to produce logical reactions according to your thoughts.
Question/answer logic
What you put in every box of the pyramid structure is a "thought". The main purpose of expressing ideas is to convey new information to the audience.
The statement with new information will inevitably cause the other party to question its logic, such as "why is this happening", "how can it happen", or "why do you say that"
After the reader has corresponding questions about his or her thoughts, as the author, you must answer the reader's questions horizontally at the next level of the expression.
Your answer is still to convey new information to the reader that he does not know, which makes the reader have new questions, so you answer the reader's new questions at the next level.
To attract all the readers' attention, the author must avoid arousing the readers' questions before preparing to answer the questions; and must also avoid giving an answer to the questions before arousing the readers' questions.
Question/Q&A Demonstration: Paper Book 28 pages
You will keep writing in the way of “causing questions and answering questions” until you think the reader will no longer ask any questions about your new statement.
If the chapter entitled "Our Assumptions" is written before putting forward the main point, then the author does not give the reader the opportunity to ask questions at all, and gives the answer to the questions first. In this way, in the corresponding stage of dialogue between the author and the reader, the above information has to be repeatedly passed (or read repeatedly).
The pyramid structure has a magical power that allows you to provide corresponding information only when your readers need it.
Horizontal relationship
Inductive or deductive relationship
The expression must have a clear inductive or deductive relationship
Do not have both inductive and deductive relationships
In organizational thought, induction and deduction are the only two possible logical relationships
If you use deductive method to answer questions, you must conduct a 3-syllogistic statement, where the second is a statement of the subject or predicate of the first thought, while the third thought is derived from the above two thoughts inference.
If the induction method is used to answer questions, it is necessary to ensure that the group of ideas has logical commonalities and can be expressed by the same noun.
The structure of the preface
Readers will only look for answers after they have questions; similarly, if the reader does not have any demand for answers, they will not raise any questions.
You can use the preface to trigger "premeditated questions" and control the rhythm
How to raise questions through the preface?
This problem is brought up by tracing the origin and development of the problem
The preface should explain the time and place of the background to the reader. Something happened in this context, which can be called "conflict", causing readers to raise the "questions" corresponding to the "answer" of your article.
Chapter 3 How to build a pyramid
Top-down method
It is usually easier to build a pyramid structure from the top down because you start thinking about the easiest thing you determine, the topic of the article.
The most important thing about building a pyramid from top to bottom - identifying the background and conflict, designing the reader's first "question"
1. Draw the theme box
This box is the top box of your pyramid structure, and fill in the box with the topic you want to discuss.
If you don't know the topic, please skip to step 2.
2. Imagine the main questions
Identify the readers of the article. What objects will your article face?
Do you hope the article can answer the questions in the readers’ minds? If you can confirm your questions, please write them out. Otherwise, go to step 4.
3. Write out the answer to this question
4. Explain the "background"
You need to prove that at this stage you can clean up the discussion of the main questions and answers.
Combine the theme with the background and write the first statement that will not cause controversy on the subject.
Because readers know this statement, or based on past experience, it is easy to judge the correctness of the statement.
5. Point out “conflict”
Just imagine, the reader agrees with your background and nods, "Yes, I know this situation. Is there any problem?"
At this time, you should consider the "conflicts" that occur in the "background" that can cause readers to question. For example, some kind of accident occurs, a problem occurs, or obvious changes that should not occur.
6. Check the "main questions" and "answers"
The introduction of background and conflict should lead to the readers' main questions.
Sometimes the background and conflicts do not match the number, which requires you to flush the idea.
The purpose of performing the above steps is to make sure you understand the questions you will be answering. Once the main questions are identified, other elements are easily taken up in the pyramid structure.
Things to note for beginners
You must first build the structure and then start writing.
Once your thoughts become words, you may feel that they are well written, regardless of whether your thoughts are coherent or not.
The preface begins with the background, using the background as the starting point of the preface.
Be sure to start with the background. In this order, it is easier to find "conflicts" and "questions" accurately.
Spend more time thinking about the preface, don't omit it
Think about the preface first to avoid thinking about background or conflict when starting the argument.
Skip the preface and start creating directly on the "theme", you will find yourself still thinking about the "background" and "conflict" stages. This will cause you to fall into complicated, chaotic arguments.
Put the historical background in the preface
You shouldn't tell readers what happened in the past in the body of the article.
The text should only include thoughts.
The preface only involves content that readers will not question its authenticity
Do not involve any information that readers do not know, because such information may cause readers to raise "questions" that are not your wish.
If you use the information that readers already know and answer questions at lower levels in the pyramid structure, it means you have missed important information in the preface.
At the key sentence level, it is easier to choose inductive reasoning rather than deductive argumentation
In Chapter 5, more detailed description will be given.
In most cases, the idea of deductive development can be expressed in the form of inductive method.
Example: See page 47 of paper book.
Bottom-up method
If you haven't figured out the topic you want to discuss, you don't know the questions in your mind, and you can't determine what the reader knows or what he doesn't know. In this case, you can move down one level and start from the keyword level.
Think from the bottom up
1. List all the key points of thoughts you want to express.
2. Find out the logical relationship between the key points.
3. Draw a conclusion.
Example: 40 pages of paper book
If the reader cannot clearly understand your entire idea within the first 30 seconds of reading, you should rewrite this article.
If the article is long, adding subtitles is especially effective. Usage of title (see Chapter 10)
Don't use titles like "our discoveries" and "conclusions" because they will not help readers quickly understand the main content and opinions of the article.
Chapter 4 Specific writing of the preface
The storytelling structure of the preface
Why use storytelling
The preface should be in the form of storytelling, so that readers can put aside complex thoughts, focus on your topic, stimulate readers' interest and attract attention.
You have to find ways to make the reader easily put aside other thoughts and focus on your content.
If you do want to tell readers a "good story", you should tell them a "stories" they already know, or a "stories" they should know (based on the readers' background knowledge)
If your article has a wide audience, then your preface task is to cultivate readers' "questions"
"Conflict" is a factor that drives the storyline and causes readers to ask questions.
Preface Example: 60 pages of paper book
Preface Three Principles
1. The purpose of the preface is to "tell" the reader rather than "tell" certain information
2. The preface must contain three elements of storytelling, namely "background", "conflict" and "answer"
The length of the preface depends on the needs of the reader and the subject
Common patterns of preface
Writing articles is usually done to answer one of the following 4 types of questions:
What should we do?
How do we implement solutions?
Is this plan correct?
Why did the plan exceed expectations? Why didn't the expected results be achieved?
The 4 most common patterns in business articles: (corresponding to the above questions)
Issuing command
Structure of instructional preface
Background(S) = We intend to do X
Conflict (C) = You need to do Y
Question (Q) = How do we do Y?
Example: We plan to prescribe a new product. For sales, you need to use the established delivery method. (Q)=What is the delivery method?
Request Support
Structure of requested prologue
Background(S) = We have a problem
Conflict (C) = Our solution requires ___________ support
Question (Q) = Should I approve it?
Answer (A) = Reason
Explain the practice
Explain the structure of the preface to the French
Background(S) = X must be done.
Conflict (C) = Also ready for X.
Question (Q) = How to prepare?
The second example
Background (S) = Your current system is X
Conflict (C) = The system does not work properly.
Question (Q) = How to improve and make it work normally?
Comparative Selection
Comparison of the structure of the selected preface
Background(S) = We want to do X
Conflict (C) = We have various solutions to do X
Question (Q) = Which solution is the most reasonable?
Comparative angle
Plan A is implemented faster than Plan B and is cheaper than Plan C.
Plan A is reasonable, plans B and C are unreasonable.
Plan A has maximized sales, Plan B has large profits, and Plan C has low pressure on employees.
Common Patterns of Prefaces - Taking Information as an Example
Preface structure of project proposal
Background(S) = You have a problem
Conflict (C) = You have decided to ask a third party to help resolve this issue
Question (Q) = Are you a third party we should hire to solve the problem?
Key sentence structure:
We understand the problem
We have a reasonable way to solve this problem
We have extensive experience in applying this method.
Our project arrangement is very reasonable.
The second structure
Background(S)=You have a problem.
Conflict (C) = You want to resolve the issue through consultation.
Question (Q) = How will you help us solve our problems?
Preface structure of project progress summary
Background(S) = We've been dealing with X issues
Conflict (C) = We told you that the first part of the analysis is to determine whether Y is true, and we have now completed this step.
Question (Q) = What have you discovered?
The second structure
Background(S) = We told you X
Conflict (C) = You ask us to investigate Y and we have completed the investigation.
Question (Q) = What have you discovered?
Chapter 5 Deductive Reasoning and Inductive Reasoning
Deduction Deduction
Deductive reasoning is easier to implement than inductive reasoning, and people are more accustomed to using deductive reasoning in their thinking.
Although deductive reasoning is an effective way of thinking, it is clumsy and cumbersome for writing.
Steps to deduce reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a form of discussion that deduces a conclusion from a large premise and a small premise.
1. Explain a situation that already exists in the world.
2. Explain the relevant situations that exist simultaneously in the world. If the second expression is for the subject or predicate of the first expression, it means that the two expressions are related.
3. Explain the implicit meaning when these two situations exist at the same time.
In the consulting industry, deductive reasoning mainly involves the following three steps:
Problems or phenomena that arise.
The root cause and cause of the problem.
Solution to the problem.
Because deductive reasoning is more clumsy and cumbersome in writing. So we transform it into an inductive reasoning statement.
When customers are more concerned about how to do it, use induction to explain it
For example: Customer: Tell me how to reduce costs. You: Reducing costs is an easy task. Customer: How to do it? You: You just need to do A, B, and C.
When customers are more concerned about why (why), use deductive explanation
For example: Customer: Tell me how to reduce costs. You: Don’t think about reducing costs, but consider selling the company. Customer: Why? How to sell? are you sure? You: Because the company is facing a huge threat, you can't deal with it, and others can deal with it, so sell it.
We should try to place simple and straightforward deductive reasoning at the bottom of the pyramid structure to reduce the interference of inserting other information during the deduction process.
If the deduction method is simple and direct, it is easy to understand: I am a human → people need to eat and sleep → so I eat and sleep.
However, if you need to read more than ten pages to find the relationship between the first and second steps, and you have to read more than ten pages to find the relationship between the second and third steps, then the deduction method becomes Difficult to understand.
Therefore, the deduction method should be placed at the bottom of the pyramid structure as much as possible to reduce interference with inserting other information during the deduction process.
Deductive reasoning should not exceed 4 steps.
The derivation of the conclusion should not exceed two
Inductive reasoning
When using induction to creative thinking, we must have the following two main skills:
Correctly define this group of ideas
Accurately identify and propose ideas that are not commensurate with other ideas in this group of ideas
Chapter 6 provides detailed explanation of the above two points
The difference between deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning: The second point is the discussion of the subject or predicate of the first point
Inductive reasoning: Thoughts in the same group have similar subjects or predicates
Two common mistakes:
Just because they can be summarized in one noun, they arrange ideas with very little relevance (such as "10 steps", "5 questions", etc.), but in fact, these ideas do not have logical relationships.
The central idea at the top of the pyramid structure uses sentences that lack ideas (such as "5 problems with the company") rather than revealing views.
Chapter 2 The logic of thinking
Hard-Headed Thinking
Carefully studying the thoughts of each group is the center of the thinking process and is a difficult task. It is because of the difficulties that this process is often overlooked.
Chapter 6 Application Logical Order
In the deductive thought group, you can effortlessly find out the logical order of the group's thoughts: that is, the order of the deductive logic. But in the inductive thought group, you can "select" a logical order.
Time sequence
Sort by cause and effect
In the thought group organized in chronological order, you must express the actions you must take to achieve a certain result in the order of action (step one, step two, and part three).
Structural order
Building a logical structure
For example, if you need to find out the “critical factors for success in the industry”, first you have to draw a structural diagram of the industry and then determine the necessary elements for success in each part. The logical relationship between these necessary elements corresponds to the relationship between the parts in the industry structure chart drawn previously.
Follow the MECE principle
The parts are mutually exclusive, without overlap, and are exclusive.
All parts are completely exhaustive, without missing out.
If the activity itself is emphasized during division, then the parts show a logical process (process), so the chronological order should be adopted.
If the location is emphasized during division, then the parts present geographical conditions and should be in structural order.
If the division emphasizes activities related to a certain product or market, then division is a classification. Each part of the ideas should adopt the order of importance, and the criteria for judging importance can be any sorting criteria. (such as: sales, investment amount, etc.)
Describe the logical structure
Example: See page 114 of paper book
Modify the logical structure
Example: See page 116 of paper books
Use structural order concept to check ideas
Example: See page 117 of paper book
Order of degree
Group similar things into groups by importance
When you say that a company has "three problems", strictly speaking, it is not very accurate. There are definitely many problems in the company, and you have picked out 3 of the questions that deserve more attention than others.
Perform appropriate grouping
The groups are independent of each other, without overlapping, and mutually exclusive
There is a common characteristic between problems that allows you to list them as a specific type of problems
For example: Every problem is a result of unwillingness to authorize
Sort by degree or importance: strong first and weak first, important first and second
Identify and adjust inappropriate grouping
Example: See page 124 of paper book