The rules
Every rule, and how hard it binds
228 base rules across 14 domains and 9 structural layers. Filter them, then open one to see its condition tree, both branches, its exceptions and its sources.
13 rules match. Clear filters
- SYN-019 Use fragments deliberately IF a fragment improves pace, voice, emphasis, dialogue realism, headline force, or UI economy AND its meaning is recoverable, THEN allow it ELSE complete it. Creative option
- STR-006 Delete orphan paragraphs IF a paragraph neither advances the purpose nor supports another necessary move, THEN delete or relocate it ELSE retain. Heuristic
- STR-019 Preserve document promise and payoff IF the opening promises information, transformation, evidence, or entertainment, THEN deliver or revise that promise ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- VOI-004 Vary sentence length for function IF sentence lengths are mechanically uniform, THEN vary them according to emphasis, explanation, transition, and pace ELSE retain. Heuristic
- VOI-005 Short sentence after complexity IF a dense explanation reaches its key consequence, THEN a short sentence may isolate the payoff ELSE continue normal cadence. Creative option
- VOI-009 Use repetition with a job IF a word or structure repeats, THEN retain it only for cohesion, emphasis, rhythm, motif, instruction consistency, or technical precision ELSE vary or delete it. Creative option
- NAR-001 Give the focal agent a desire IF a narrative section expects forward motion AND the focal agent has no legible desire or need, THEN reveal one ELSE retain deliberate mystery with another source of propulsion. Context default
- NAR-004 Events cause later events IF a major event has no causal, motivational, or thematic relation to what precedes it, THEN connect, foreshadow, move, or remove it ELSE retain. Hard constraint
- NAR-006 Choice reveals character IF the story asserts a trait without a consequential choice that demonstrates it, THEN create or cite such a choice ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-011 Dialogue changes the interaction IF a line of dialogue neither pursues a goal, resists, reveals, conceals, changes status, or creates rhythm, THEN cut or rewrite it ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-013 Exposition arrives through present need IF background information interrupts current desire or conflict, THEN delay, distribute, or attach it to a present decision ELSE retain. Heuristic
- NAR-017 Description follows viewpoint and pressure IF description lists details the viewpoint character would not notice in the current goal or emotion, THEN select details shaped by attention ELSE retain omniscient design. Heuristic
- NAR-018 Show or tell by reader task IF the reader must experience, infer, or judge a consequential moment, THEN show selected evidence; IF the reader only needs transition or orientation, tell efficiently ELSE blend both. Heuristic