INSEAD Library

Doriot: for 2017-2018 courses

Includes bibliographical references

Digitized

The Pyramid Principle
Logic in Writing and Thinking
Contents
Prefacexii
PART I
The pyramid principle: logic in writing1
Introduction3
1Why a pyramid structure?5
Sorting into pyramids5
The magical number seven7
The need to state the logic8
Ordering from the top down9
Thinking from the bottom up11
2The substructures within the pyramid17
The vertical relationship17
The horizontal relationship21
The introductory flow22
3How to build a pyramid structure25
The top-down approach25
The bottom-up approach30
Caveats for beginners35
4Fine points of introductions37
Initial introductions37
Why a story?37
How long should it be?39
Where do you start the situation?40
What's a complication?41
Why that order?42
What about the key line?44
Further examples46
In summary49
Some common Patterns50
Directives50
Requests for funds51
'How to' documents52
Letters of proposal54
Progress reviews55
Transitions between groups56
Referencing backward56
Summarizing59
Concluding59
5Deduction and induction: the difference63
Deductive reasoning63
How it works64
When to use it66
Inductive reasoning69
How it works70
How it differs72
6How to highlight the structure75
Headings75
Underlined points79
Decimal numbering81
Indented display83
PART II
The pyramid principle: logic in thinking87
Introduction89
7Questioning the order of a grouping91
Time order93
Incomplete thinking93
Confused logic94
False grouping95
Structural order96
Creating a structure96
Describing a structure98
Imposing a structure99
Ranking order102
Creating proper class groupings102
Identifying improper class groupings106
8Questioning the problem-solving process113
The problem-solving process113
What is the problem?115
Where does it lie?115
Why does it exist?116
What could we do about it?116
What should we do about it?117
Defining the problem117
Period graph books121
Structuring the analysis of the problem126
Five typical logic trees126
Use of the logic tree concept130
9Questioning the summary statement137
Stating the effect of actions139
Make the wording specific140
Distinguish the levels of action146
Drawing an inference from conclusions150
Find the structural similarity151
Visualize the relationships153
10Putting it into readable words159
Create the image161
Copy the image in words163
Appendix:
Problem solving in structureless situations167
References174