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The Pyramid Principle

Logic in Writing and Thinking

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Document Structure

Introduction Situation

Complication Question/Answer (Solution) Body Next Steps

Something the readers will not question if they buyyour argument

Conclusion Summary/Call to action/Emotion provocation

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Intr

oducti

on

Reminds rather than informs O nly what the reader will agree is true, plus

your answer

S-- Your current system is X.C-- I

t does not work.Q-- How should it be changed? A-- You need to.

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An

other example

S-- Your organization is growing rapidly.C-- Your H R processes are not keeping upwith your growth.Q-- What should be done? A-- You should..

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Creating an intr

oducti

on

1 . Draw a box and write down subject.2. Decide the question the reader wants answered.

3. Write down the answer.4. Describe the situation without controversy.5. Develop the complication--Answer so what.6. R echeck the question and the answer.

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Creating an intr

oducti

on

3

4

5

2

6

1

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B ody

Controlling the sequence in which youpresent your ideas is the single most

important way to make your presentationclear Ideas at any level must be summaries of ideas

grouped below them

Ideas in each grouping must always be of thesame kind

Ideas in each grouping must be logically ordered

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Ideas can be gr o uped inductivelyo r deductively

Inductive Logic

DeductiveLogic

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Japanese escalating drive for Chinese market

D eductive: That Americans are doing the samething is sure to stimulate the J apanese further

Second point makes a comment on the first

Inductive: Americans are escalating drive for Chinese market

Second point is another of the same type

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Argument first

Whatswrong?

Whatscausing it?

Heres what youshould do

Yo u must change

WH Y? HOW ?

A1 B 1 C1 A2 B 2 C2 A3 B 3 C3

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Acti

on first

Yo u must change

A3 B 3 C3

A2 A1 B 2 B 1 C2 C 1

HOW ?

WH Y?

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If y o u cant find the o rder in thegr o uping, y o ur thinking has a flaw.

Deductive reasoningChronologyStructureComparison/classification/ranking

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Poo

r C

hr o

no

lo

gyStrategic planning involves the recognition of a timing cycle Perception of need Development of strategy for creating responsive

product/service Implementation Market acceptance and high growth

Slower growth/the onset of maturity High cash generation Decline/decay

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StructureThe objectives for the assignment as we understandthem are: To review and analyze field operations in maintenance and

construction To determine if adequate organizational and managerial flexibility

exists to allow field engineers to properly respond to day-to-dayoperating problems and demands

To review and analyze the areas of preliminary engineering, road

and bridge design, environmental process, right-of-way acquisitionand traffic management To review and analyze the organization structure of the Department To identify the strengths and weaknesses within each study area

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Classificati

on

The causes of N ew Yorks decline are many andcomplex. Among them are: Wage rates higher than those that prevail elsewhere in the country High energy, rent and land costs Traffic congestion that forces up transportation costs A lack of modern factory space High taxes Technological change The competition of new centers of economic concentration in the

Southwest and West The refocusing of American economic and social life in the suburbs

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Better classificati

on

New Yorks decline is because of better alternatives elsewhere

N ew York is a high-cost city in which to dobusiness

More attractive areas are springing up in theSouthwest and West

Thus, when companies face the need to move,they choose to go south or west

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Summary statements must sh o w

implicati o nsIf there is no relationship, you end up withintellectually vapid assertions

You should have three objectives There are two problems We recommend five changes

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E ach type o f gr o uping has a clear

meth o d o f summarizingSummarize action ideas by stating effect of carrying out actions

Summarize situation ideas by stating what isimplied by their similaritySummarize deductive arguments by leaningon the deduction

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Asummary that means n

othing

Identify high-potential profit-improvementprojects

R eview background dataDefine your key taskCollect data for the key task

Review events and trends affecting the key task

Identify possible projectsMeasure profit impact of improved performance

Assess possible level of improvement and profit impactPrepare a draft Profit- Improvement Project Plan

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A summary y o u can visualize

To prepare a draft profit-improvement plan: Identify a possible project

Select an operating activity where cost and investmentare highLook for evidence of poor performanceMeasure profit impact of correcting poor performance

State the implications of pursuing the projectDetermine the probable level of improvementEstimate resource requirements to undertake projectWork out a timetable

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I have a dream

Dreams include: Sons of former slaves and slave owners sitting

together Character replacing skin color B lack and white children holding hands B lack men equal to white men

Freedom is scheduled to ring in: N ew York, Mississippi, Georgia; Alabama,

Tennessee, California