Bow Tie Kreative Writing System
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Rules / voice

VOI-010 Hard constraint layer: paragraph

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.

Why the rule exists

A vivid analogy can create a false mental model if its limits stay hidden.

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.

  • metaphor.function eq "explanation"

Facts this rule reads

PathSource
metaphor.function You supply it

Then

  1. verify — target metaphor.mapping
  2. qualify — target metaphor

Else

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

LAKA

Smallest sufficient intervention
Yes
Primary axes

Sources

  • The Sense of Style — Steven Pinker
    Reader-centered clarity informed by linguistics and cognition.
  • Made to Stick — Chip Heath; Dan Heath
    Simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional stories.
The raw rule record

Verbatim from 12-voice-rhythm-rules.json. Also available at /v1/rules/VOI-010.

{
  "id": "VOI-010",
  "name": "Metaphor must preserve the model",
  "domain": "voice",
  "layer": "paragraph",
  "strength": "hard_constraint",
  "human_logic": "IF a metaphor explains a mechanism, THEN map its relevant correspondences and state its boundary when overextension would mislead ELSE use it only decoratively.",
  "when": {
    "path": "metaphor.function",
    "operator": "eq",
    "value": "explanation"
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "verify",
      "target": "metaphor.mapping",
      "require": [
        "source",
        "target",
        "shared_relation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "action": "qualify",
      "target": "metaphor",
      "include": "where_the_analogy_breaks",
      "when": "overextension_risk"
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "retain",
      "target": "current_text",
      "reason": "No triggering condition is present."
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "A vivid analogy can create a false mental model if its limits stay hidden.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "BK-008",
    "BK-037"
  ],
  "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-003 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. Context default
  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