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Rules / copywriting

CPY-009 Context default layer: section

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.

Why the rule exists

A strong response reduces uncertainty without pretending the tradeoff does not exist.

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.

  • audience.objection.frequency in [common, dominant]

Facts this rule reads

PathSource
audience.objection.frequency You supply it

Then

  1. insert — target copy.objection_response

Else

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

LAKA

Smallest sufficient intervention
Yes
Primary axes

Sources

  • The Adweek Copywriting Handbook — Joseph Sugarman
    Direct-response copy principles, sequencing, and engagement.
  • The Ultimate Sales Letter — Dan S. Kennedy
    Direct-response structure, offer presentation, and action.
  • Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion — Robert B. Cialdini
    Evidence-based principles of influence and ethical persuasion.
The raw rule record

Verbatim from 16-copywriting-rules.json. Also available at /v1/rules/CPY-009.

{
  "id": "CPY-009",
  "name": "Objection response names the real risk",
  "domain": "copywriting",
  "layer": "section",
  "strength": "context_default",
  "human_logic": "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.",
  "when": {
    "path": "audience.objection.frequency",
    "operator": "in",
    "value": [
      "common",
      "dominant"
    ]
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "insert",
      "target": "copy.objection_response",
      "pattern": [
        "acknowledge",
        "answer",
        "proof_or_terms",
        "legitimate_limit"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "retain",
      "target": "current_text",
      "reason": "No triggering condition is present."
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "A strong response reduces uncertainty without pretending the tradeoff does not exist.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "BK-029",
    "BK-034",
    "BK-035"
  ],
  "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-008 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. Hard constraint