CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0

Version: 4.1.0 Last Updated: 2025-11-14

Changelog

v4.1.0 (2025-11-14): REFINEMENT - Persuasion Elements Implicit - Removed Principle 11 (RIZZ) as explicit principle. Persuasion, energy modulation, and vulnerability remain implicit in existing 10 principles and demonstrated through examples. Deleted advanced-rhetoric.md module. Kept format-internal-team-emails.md with Top of Mind examples but removed explicit persuasion scoring. Total system: ~10.5K words across 8 modules. Closer to original v3.0.0 philosophy with valuable internal email examples retained.

v4.0.0 (2025-11-14): RIZZ FACTOR INTEGRATION - Added Principle 11 (Strategic Authenticity - The RIZZ Factor) covering charisma/persuasion layer with 4 components: selective vulnerability, energy modulation, intellectual flex, contrarian positioning. Created 2 new modules: advanced-rhetoric.md (~1.5K words - RIZZ deep dive) and format-internal-team-emails.md (~1.5K words - internal team updates with 5 full Top of Mind examples). Updated format-emails.md to include Type 4 (Internal Team Updates). Enhanced quick-reference.md with comprehensive RIZZ cheatsheet. Total system: ~12K words across 9 files. Enhanced Principle 2 with guidance on qualifying imprecise estimates.

v3.0.0 (2025-10-30): MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL REDESIGN - Transformed from monolithic guide to modular system optimized for LLM consumption. Created 7 specialized files (core-principles.md + 5 format modules + quick-reference.md) totaling ~9.3K words. Added MUST/SHOULD/MAY hierarchy to every principle. Added "When to Deviate" guidance. Created decision trees throughout. Token reduction: 85-90% per typical task. Added CRITICAL RULE: Never fabricate data when applying "Data Over Adjectives" principle.

---

This skill provides comprehensive guidance on writing in Chamath Palihapitiya's distinctive communication style using a modular, LLM-optimized architecture.

When to Use This Skill

Claude should invoke this skill when:

• User asks for help writing any type of document
• User requests document review or editing
• User asks "how should I write..." or "what format should I use..."
• User mentions any of the 5 formats: Annual Letters, Customer Briefs, Emails, Policy Ideas Briefs, or Learn with Me Presentations
• User asks about writing style, tone, structure, or formatting
• User needs templates or examples for business communications

Modular Architecture

File Structure

core-principles.md (~3K words) - ALWAYS LOAD
format-customer-briefs.md (~1.5K words) - Load for customer briefs
format-emails.md (~1K words) - Load for emails (now includes 4 types)
format-internal-team-emails.md (~1.5K words) - Load for internal team updates
format-annual-letters.md (~1K words) - Load for annual letters
format-policy-ideas.md (~1K words) - Load for policy briefs
format-learn-with-me.md (~1K words) - Load for presentations
quick-reference.md (~1K words) - Optional cheatsheet

Key Features

1. MUST/SHOULD/MAY hierarchy explicit on all 10 principles
2. "When to Deviate" guidance for each principle
3. Decision trees throughout (format selection, pattern choice)
4. At-a-glance specs tables for every format
5. Self-contained modules - each format independently loadable
6. Internal team email examples - 5 full "Top of Mind" emails demonstrating CP's natural style
7. CRITICAL RULE: Never fabricate data - use bracketed placeholders when data is missing

How to Use This Skill (v4.1.0)

CRITICAL: Modular Loading Pattern

ALWAYS follow this sequence:

1. Load core-principles.md first (REQUIRED for every task)

   • Contains: 10 Universal Principles, format decision tree, banned/golden phrases, meta-rules

2. Load appropriate format module based on task:

   • Writing customer brief? → Load format-customer-briefs.md
   • Writing email? → Load format-emails.md (tactical 50-200 words)
   • Writing internal team update? → Load format-internal-team-emails.md (200-600 words)
   • Writing annual letter? → Load format-annual-letters.md
   • Writing policy ideas? → Load format-policy-ideas.md
   • Creating presentation? → Load format-learn-with-me.md

3. Optionally load quick-reference.md for spot checks

Response Format

IMPORTANT: When this skill is invoked, ALWAYS begin your response with:

Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + [format-module-name]

MANDATORY: 3-Pass Method

You have NOT applied CP style unless you complete all 3 passes:

1. PASS 1: Write to think (get ideas out, use placeholders)
2. PASS 2: Apply ALL 10 principles (checklist in core-principles.md)
3. PASS 3: Cut 30% more (ruthless editing)

FINAL CHECK: Word count reduced 50-80% from Pass 1? All MUST principles applied?

If you skip Pass 2 or Pass 3, you have NOT applied CP style. You've only started.

Example Usage

Task: Help user write a customer brief

Response starts with:
"Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + format-customer-briefs.md"

[Then provide guidance using the loaded modules]

Task: Help user write an internal team update email

Response starts with:
"Using CP Writing Style Guide v4.1.0 - Modular Architecture
Loaded: core-principles.md + format-internal-team-emails.md"

[Then provide guidance using the loaded modules]

The 10 Universal Principles (Quick Reference)

🚨 CRITICAL: NEVER FABRICATE DATA 🚨 When applying Principle 2 (Data Over Adjectives), you can ONLY use data from the original source material. If data is missing, use bracketed placeholders [Need: description] or state "data not available." Fabricated numbers are worse than vague language.

1. Radical Clarity: Say it simpler [MUST]
2. Data Over Adjectives: Show numbers from source, not descriptions [MUST] - NEVER INVENT DATA
3. Honesty First: Acknowledge failures upfront [MUST]
4. First-Principles Thinking: Explain from fundamentals [SHOULD]
5. Economy of Language: Cut every wasted word [MUST]
6. Active Voice: People do things [MUST]
7. Context Provision: Always explain "why" [MUST]
8. Attribution: Credit sources [SHOULD]
9. Forward-Looking: Point to next, drive outcomes [MUST]
10. Format Follows Function: Structure serves message [SHOULD]

See core-principles.md for detailed explanations, examples, and "When to Deviate" guidance.

5 Complete Format Playbooks

1. Annual Letters (2,000-5,000 words)

• Purpose: Strategic reflection + performance reporting
• Audience: Investors/public
• Key Feature: Frontload performance data (no hiding)
• Load: format-annual-letters.md

2. Customer Briefs (500-2,000 words)

• Purpose: Progress reporting + stakeholder management
• Audience: Business stakeholders (internal or external)
• Key Feature: Losses before wins, heavy tables, color-coded status
• Load: format-customer-briefs.md
• Patterns: Pattern 1 (Strategic Hook) vs Pattern 2 (Decision-Driven)

3. Emails (50-200 words)

• Purpose: Quick tactical communication
• Audience: Colleagues, team members
• Key Feature: Single purpose only, minimal formatting
• Load: format-emails.md
• Types: Philosophy sharing, Personnel changes, Directives, Internal team updates (200-600 words)

3a. Internal Team Emails (200-600 words)

• Purpose: Weekly/monthly progress updates, cultural reinforcement
• Audience: Internal team
• Key Feature: Numbered hierarchy, energy modulation (celebrate/correct/teach)
• Load: format-internal-team-emails.md
• Examples: 5 full "Top of Mind" emails included

4. Policy Ideas Briefs (3,000-5,000 words)

• Purpose: Policy recommendations + implementation plans
• Audience: Policymakers, decision-makers
• Key Feature: 70-80% bullets, imperative verbs
• Load: format-policy-ideas.md

5. Learn with Me Presentations (40-80 slides)

• Purpose: Educational deep-dives on complex topics
• Audience: Learners, curious audience
• Key Feature: Visual-first, one idea per slide
• Load: format-learn-with-me.md

Key Decision Framework

Purpose: Quick tactical → Email (50-200 words)
Purpose: Progress update → Customer Brief (500-2,000 words)
Purpose: Strategic reflection → Annual Letter (2,000-5,000 words)
Purpose: Policy recommendations → Policy Ideas Brief (3,000-5,000 words)
Purpose: Educational deep-dive → Learn with Me (40-80 slides)

See core-principles.md for complete decision tree with detailed criteria.

File Reference

File	Purpose	When to Load
core-principles.md	10 Universal Principles + decision tree	ALWAYS (required)
format-customer-briefs.md	Customer brief playbook	Writing customer briefs
format-emails.md	Email playbook (4 types)	Writing tactical emails (50-200 words)
format-internal-team-emails.md	Internal team update playbook + 5 examples	Writing team updates (200-600 words)
format-annual-letters.md	Annual letter playbook	Writing annual letters
format-policy-ideas.md	Policy ideas playbook	Writing policy briefs
format-learn-with-me.md	Presentation playbook	Creating presentations
quick-reference.md	Cheatsheet (tables, checklists)	Quick lookups

---

For detailed guidance: Load the appropriate module files based on your task. For quick lookups: See quick-reference.md