Structuring thought
Prep, point, proof, close
Build a complete answer rather than a first sentence followed by drift.
The shape
- Prep
- Point
- Proof
- Close
Why that order
Prep decides the outcome and the core message before speaking. Point states it. Proof supports it. Close finishes it, which is the step most people leave out, so the answer trails rather than lands.
How to run it
- Decide what this needs to accomplish.
- State the central idea.
- Give evidence, reasoning or an example.
- Reinforce the meaning or name the next action.
A worked example
I recommend moving the review to Friday. We still have two unresolved testing issues. Moving it gives the team enough time to close them. I will confirm readiness on Thursday afternoon.
You have it right when
The listener gets orientation, position, support and completion.
Practise it
Knowing the shape is about ten minutes of work. Running it while somebody senior is looking at you is a different thing, and that is what these are for.
Mostly serves Message, and reaches into Intent.
A framework tells you what shape the answer takes. It cannot tell you whether shape is what you are short of, and for most people it is not. Which one is yours, and whether a framework is the right instrument at all, is what a Discovery Call is for.
Take the AssessmentOr read the whole glossary first.