Bow Tie Kreative Writing System
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Rules / voice

VOI-003 Context default layer: sentence

Address the reader directly in instructions

IF the reader performs the action, THEN use an imperative or YOU; do not call the reader THE USER ELSE name the actual actor.

Why the rule exists

Direct address makes responsibility clear and supports a helpful tone.

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.

  • sentence.actor eq "reader"

Facts this rule reads

PathSource
sentence.actor You supply it

Then

  1. select — target sentence.person, value "second_person_or_imperative"

Else

  1. name — target sentence.actor

Test cases

TST-011 · [object Object]

Before
The user should enter their email.
After
Enter your email.
Reason
The reader is addressed directly.

LAKA

Smallest sufficient intervention
Yes
Primary axes

Sources

  • Google Developer Documentation Style Guide — Google link
    Clear, consistent, audience-directed technical documentation.
  • Microsoft Writing Style Guide — Microsoft link
    Warm, clear, concise, helpful technical communication.
The raw rule record

Verbatim from 12-voice-rhythm-rules.json. Also available at /v1/rules/VOI-003.

{
  "id": "VOI-003",
  "name": "Address the reader directly in instructions",
  "domain": "voice",
  "layer": "sentence",
  "strength": "context_default",
  "human_logic": "IF the reader performs the action, THEN use an imperative or YOU; do not call the reader THE USER ELSE name the actual actor.",
  "when": {
    "path": "sentence.actor",
    "operator": "eq",
    "value": "reader"
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "select",
      "target": "sentence.person",
      "value": "second_person_or_imperative"
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "name",
      "target": "sentence.actor"
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "Direct address makes responsibility clear and supports a helpful tone.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "WEB-003",
    "WEB-004"
  ],
  "laka": {
    "smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
    "primary_axes": [
      "scope",
      "depth",
      "magnitude",
      "reversibility"
    ]
  }
}

Other voice rules

  1. VOI-001 Declare voice before polishing IF a document lacks a voice profile, THEN define relationship, formality, energy, warmth, confidence, and permitted vocabulary ELSE use the profile. Context default
  2. VOI-002 Tone responds to reader state IF reader emotion changes, THEN adjust directness, warmth, pace, and reassurance without changing facts ELSE maintain baseline tone. Context default
  3. VOI-010 Metaphor must preserve the model IF a metaphor explains a mechanism, THEN map its relevant correspondences and state its boundary when overextension would mislead ELSE use it only decoratively. Hard constraint
  4. VOI-011 Calibrate confidence to evidence IF wording expresses certainty, THEN match modal strength to evidence and uncertainty ELSE retain. Hard constraint
  5. VOI-012 Avoid institutional self-centering IF WE/OUR language displaces the reader’s need or action, THEN rewrite around the reader or subject ELSE retain clear author responsibility. Heuristic