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by Robin Sharma
Logic in Writing and Thinking
The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto is a guide to effective communication. It introduces a method for organizing thoughts in a clear and structured way, and provides tips for delivering information in a concise and persuasive manner.
When preparing a document, most people have a pretty good idea of what they intend to write about but no specific plan for what to say or how to phrase it. Usually, they simply begin writing, hoping the structure will emerge on its own from their stream of consciousness. This results in a jumbled narrative, leaving the reader to sort out the mess.
The mind prefers order to disorder, and even imposes imagined order on random data it encounters. Consider for instance the ancient Greeks, who imagined animal shapes in the stars rather than seeing them as mere random dots.
Similarly, it has been shown that when reading, people automatically attempt to organize information in any written document into a certain form, namely a top-down pyramid shape, where conclusions are supported by justifications and arguments, much like a pyramid is supported by its cornerstones.
It is easiest for a reader to digest information if it comes presorted into a logical pyramid shape.
Consider the following statements: “The seats were cold. I almost got into a fight. Italy didn’t play well. That really was an awful football match.” This “story” is poorly structured, since the actual main statement is withheld until the very end.
A top-down pyramid structure means that the document first introduces a summary statement and then the reasoning behind it. The above narrative would have been much easier to understand if structured in such a way: “That really was an awful football match: the seats were cold, I almost got into a fight and Italy did not play well.”
To assist the reader, organize your thinking into a pyramid shape before starting to write.
Never has clear, convincing communication been as important as in today’s information-cluttered environment. The Pyramid Principle (1978) explains in detail how written documents and presentations can be logically structured, and the methods described in the book are used by almost every major management consultancy on the planet.
The Pyramid Principle is a book by Barbara Minto that offers a valuable framework for effective communication and problem-solving. Here's why this book is worth reading:
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Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of The Pyramid Principle?
The main message of The Pyramid Principle is to structure your thoughts and arguments in a logical and clear way.
How long does it take to read The Pyramid Principle?
The estimated reading time for The Pyramid Principle is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Pyramid Principle a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Pyramid Principle is worth reading as it provides valuable insights on effective communication and problem-solving techniques.
Who is the author of The Pyramid Principle?
The author of The Pyramid Principle is Barbara Minto.