Bow Tie Kreative Writing System
Run the engine

Rules / copywriting

CPY-008 Hard constraint layer: section

Testimonial is real, typicality-aware, and specific

IF a testimonial is used, THEN verify identity permission, authenticity, result context, and any required typicality disclosure ELSE remove it.

Why the rule exists

Social proof must not imply results or endorsement that the evidence does not support.

Condition

The rule fires when this evaluates true. Paths marked below must be present in the fact base; the engine reports the rest rather than guessing them.

  • copy.testimonial.exists eq true

Facts this rule reads

PathSource
copy.testimonial.exists You supply it

Then

  1. verify — target copy.testimonial
  2. delete — target copy.testimonial

Else

  1. retain — target current_text, No triggering condition is present.

LAKA

Smallest sufficient intervention
Yes
Primary axes

Sources

  • Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion — Robert B. Cialdini
    Evidence-based principles of influence and ethical persuasion.
  • Advertising and Marketing Basics — U.S. Federal Trade Commission link
    Advertising claims must be truthful, non-deceptive, fair, and appropriately substantiated.
The raw rule record

Verbatim from 16-copywriting-rules.json. Also available at /v1/rules/CPY-008.

{
  "id": "CPY-008",
  "name": "Testimonial is real, typicality-aware, and specific",
  "domain": "copywriting",
  "layer": "section",
  "strength": "hard_constraint",
  "human_logic": "IF a testimonial is used, THEN verify identity permission, authenticity, result context, and any required typicality disclosure ELSE remove it.",
  "when": {
    "path": "copy.testimonial.exists",
    "operator": "eq",
    "value": true
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "verify",
      "target": "copy.testimonial",
      "fields": [
        "permission",
        "authenticity",
        "result_context",
        "disclosure"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "delete",
      "target": "copy.testimonial",
      "when": "verification_fails"
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "retain",
      "target": "current_text",
      "reason": "No triggering condition is present."
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "Social proof must not imply results or endorsement that the evidence does not support.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "BK-035",
    "WEB-012"
  ],
  "laka": {
    "smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
    "primary_axes": [
      "scope",
      "depth",
      "magnitude",
      "reversibility"
    ]
  }
}

Other copywriting rules

  1. CPY-001 Start from market awareness IF writing persuasive copy, THEN classify the audience as unaware, problem-aware, solution-aware, product-aware, or most-aware before choosing the message ELSE request research. Hard constraint
  2. CPY-002 Match lead to awareness and evidence IF awareness is known, THEN select a lead type that bridges the reader’s current state to the offer ELSE do not default to a hype lead. Context default
  3. CPY-003 Headline makes one credible promise IF a headline is used, THEN make its audience relevance, benefit or curiosity, and credible scope legible ELSE revise. Hard constraint
  4. CPY-004 Mechanism explains the promise IF the promise is unfamiliar, counterintuitive, or in a sophisticated market, THEN explain why and how the offer produces the result ELSE keep the mechanism concise. Context default
  5. CPY-005 Translate feature into buyer outcome IF copy names a feature, THEN connect it to functional benefit, practical outcome, and relevant emotional meaning when supported ELSE remove the feature. Context default
  6. CPY-006 Specificity earns credibility IF a claim uses generic superiority language AND verifiable specifics exist, THEN replace the generic phrase with the relevant specific ELSE qualify or remove it. Heuristic
  7. CPY-007 Proof appears after or near the claim IF a material sales claim is made, THEN attach the strongest appropriate proof close to it ELSE weaken or remove the claim. Hard constraint
  8. CPY-009 Objection response names the real risk IF research shows a recurring material objection, THEN acknowledge it, answer with proof or terms, and preserve any legitimate limitation ELSE do not invent objections. Context default