CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0
Version: 4.1.0 Last Updated: 2025-11-14
Changelog
v4.1.0 (2025-11-14): REFINEMENT - Persuasion Elements Implicit - Removed Principle 11 (RIZZ) as explicit principle. Persuasion, energy modulation, and vulnerability remain implicit in existing 10 principles and demonstrated through examples. Deleted advanced-rhetoric.md module. Kept format-internal-team-emails.md with Top of Mind examples but removed explicit persuasion scoring. Total system: ~10.5K words across 8 modules. Closer to original v3.0.0 philosophy with valuable internal email examples retained.
v4.0.0 (2025-11-14): RIZZ FACTOR INTEGRATION - Added Principle 11 (Strategic Authenticity - The RIZZ Factor) covering charisma/persuasion layer with 4 components: selective vulnerability, energy modulation, intellectual flex, contrarian positioning. Created 2 new modules: advanced-rhetoric.md (~1.5K words - RIZZ deep dive) and format-internal-team-emails.md (~1.5K words - internal team updates with 5 full Top of Mind examples). Updated format-emails.md to include Type 4 (Internal Team Updates). Enhanced quick-reference.md with comprehensive RIZZ cheatsheet. Total system: ~12K words across 9 files. Enhanced Principle 2 with guidance on qualifying imprecise estimates.
v3.0.0 (2025-10-30): MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL REDESIGN - Transformed from monolithic guide to modular system optimized for LLM consumption. Created 7 specialized files (core-principles.md + 5 format modules + quick-reference.md) totaling ~9.3K words. Added MUST/SHOULD/MAY hierarchy to every principle. Added "When to Deviate" guidance. Created decision trees throughout. Token reduction: 85-90% per typical task. Added CRITICAL RULE: Never fabricate data when applying "Data Over Adjectives" principle.
This skill provides comprehensive guidance on writing in Chamath Palihapitiya's distinctive communication style using a modular, LLM-optimized architecture.
When to Use This Skill
Claude should invoke this skill when:
- User asks for help writing any type of document
- User requests document review or editing
- User asks "how should I write..." or "what format should I use..."
- User mentions any of the 5 formats: Annual Letters, Customer Briefs, Emails, Policy Ideas Briefs, or Learn with Me Presentations
- User asks about writing style, tone, structure, or formatting
- User needs templates or examples for business communications
Modular Architecture
File Structure
core-principles.md (~3K words) - ALWAYS LOAD
format-customer-briefs.md (~1.5K words) - Load for customer briefs
format-emails.md (~1K words) - Load for emails (now includes 4 types)
format-internal-team-emails.md (~1.5K words) - Load for internal team updates
format-annual-letters.md (~1K words) - Load for annual letters
format-policy-ideas.md (~1K words) - Load for policy briefs
format-learn-with-me.md (~1K words) - Load for presentations
quick-reference.md (~1K words) - Optional cheatsheet
Key Features
- MUST/SHOULD/MAY hierarchy explicit on all 10 principles
- "When to Deviate" guidance for each principle
- Decision trees throughout (format selection, pattern choice)
- At-a-glance specs tables for every format
- Self-contained modules - each format independently loadable
- Internal team email examples - 5 full "Top of Mind" emails demonstrating CP's natural style
- CRITICAL RULE: Never fabricate data - use bracketed placeholders when data is missing
How to Use This Skill (v4.1.0)
CRITICAL: Modular Loading Pattern
ALWAYS follow this sequence:
-
Load core-principles.md first (REQUIRED for every task)
- Contains: 10 Universal Principles, format decision tree, banned/golden phrases, meta-rules
-
Load appropriate format module based on task:
- Writing customer brief? → Load
format-customer-briefs.md - Writing email? → Load
format-emails.md(tactical 50-200 words) - Writing internal team update? → Load
format-internal-team-emails.md(200-600 words) - Writing annual letter? → Load
format-annual-letters.md - Writing policy ideas? → Load
format-policy-ideas.md - Creating presentation? → Load
format-learn-with-me.md
- Writing customer brief? → Load
-
Optionally load quick-reference.md for spot checks
Response Format
IMPORTANT: When this skill is invoked, ALWAYS begin your response with:
Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + [format-module-name]
MANDATORY: 3-Pass Method
You have NOT applied CP style unless you complete all 3 passes:
- PASS 1: Write to think (get ideas out, use placeholders)
- PASS 2: Apply ALL 10 principles (checklist in core-principles.md)
- PASS 3: Cut 30% more (ruthless editing)
FINAL CHECK: Word count reduced 50-80% from Pass 1? All MUST principles applied?
If you skip Pass 2 or Pass 3, you have NOT applied CP style. You've only started.
Example Usage
Task: Help user write a customer brief
Response starts with:
"Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + format-customer-briefs.md"
[Then provide guidance using the loaded modules]
Task: Help user write an internal team update email
Response starts with:
"Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + format-internal-team-emails.md"
[Then provide guidance using the loaded modules]
The 10 Universal Principles (Quick Reference)
🚨 CRITICAL: NEVER FABRICATE DATA 🚨
When applying Principle 2 (Data Over Adjectives), you can ONLY use data from the original source material. If data is missing, use bracketed placeholders [Need: description] or state "data not available." Fabricated numbers are worse than vague language.
- Radical Clarity: Say it simpler [MUST]
- Data Over Adjectives: Show numbers from source, not descriptions [MUST] - NEVER INVENT DATA
- Honesty First: Acknowledge failures upfront [MUST]
- First-Principles Thinking: Explain from fundamentals [SHOULD]
- Economy of Language: Cut every wasted word [MUST]
- Active Voice: People do things [MUST]
- Context Provision: Always explain "why" [MUST]
- Attribution: Credit sources [SHOULD]
- Forward-Looking: Point to next, drive outcomes [MUST]
- Format Follows Function: Structure serves message [SHOULD]
See core-principles.md for detailed explanations, examples, and "When to Deviate" guidance.
5 Complete Format Playbooks
1. Annual Letters (2,000-5,000 words)
- Purpose: Strategic reflection + performance reporting
- Audience: Investors/public
- Key Feature: Frontload performance data (no hiding)
- Load:
format-annual-letters.md
2. Customer Briefs (500-2,000 words)
- Purpose: Progress reporting + stakeholder management
- Audience: Business stakeholders (internal or external)
- Key Feature: Losses before wins, heavy tables, color-coded status
- Load:
format-customer-briefs.md - Patterns: Pattern 1 (Strategic Hook) vs Pattern 2 (Decision-Driven)
3. Emails (50-200 words)
- Purpose: Quick tactical communication
- Audience: Colleagues, team members
- Key Feature: Single purpose only, minimal formatting
- Load:
format-emails.md - Types: Philosophy sharing, Personnel changes, Directives, Internal team updates (200-600 words)
3a. Internal Team Emails (200-600 words)
- Purpose: Weekly/monthly progress updates, cultural reinforcement
- Audience: Internal team
- Key Feature: Numbered hierarchy, energy modulation (celebrate/correct/teach)
- Load:
format-internal-team-emails.md - Examples: 5 full "Top of Mind" emails included
4. Policy Ideas Briefs (3,000-5,000 words)
- Purpose: Policy recommendations + implementation plans
- Audience: Policymakers, decision-makers
- Key Feature: 70-80% bullets, imperative verbs
- Load:
format-policy-ideas.md
5. Learn with Me Presentations (40-80 slides)
- Purpose: Educational deep-dives on complex topics
- Audience: Learners, curious audience
- Key Feature: Visual-first, one idea per slide
- Load:
format-learn-with-me.md
Key Decision Framework
Purpose: Quick tactical → Email (50-200 words)
Purpose: Progress update → Customer Brief (500-2,000 words)
Purpose: Strategic reflection → Annual Letter (2,000-5,000 words)
Purpose: Policy recommendations → Policy Ideas Brief (3,000-5,000 words)
Purpose: Educational deep-dive → Learn with Me (40-80 slides)
See core-principles.md for complete decision tree with detailed criteria.
File Reference
| File | Purpose | When to Load |
|------|---------|--------------|
| core-principles.md | 10 Universal Principles + decision tree | ALWAYS (required) |
| format-customer-briefs.md | Customer brief playbook | Writing customer briefs |
| format-emails.md | Email playbook (4 types) | Writing tactical emails (50-200 words) |
| format-internal-team-emails.md | Internal team update playbook + 5 examples | Writing team updates (200-600 words) |
| format-annual-letters.md | Annual letter playbook | Writing annual letters |
| format-policy-ideas.md | Policy ideas playbook | Writing policy briefs |
| format-learn-with-me.md | Presentation playbook | Creating presentations |
| quick-reference.md | Cheatsheet (tables, checklists) | Quick lookups |
For detailed guidance: Load the appropriate module files based on your task.
For quick lookups: See quick-reference.md
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