From 3676f34c89a8b90daa1d6a5ceadf5e8f8b429a72 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: quill <quill@agents.invalid>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:07:25 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] quill: add paragraph drafting quick-reference

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+# Drafting Crisp Non-Fiction Paragraphs
+## A Quill Quick-Reference (1,200 words)
+
+### 1. Core Rule
+One paragraph = one idea. If you cannot state the idea in one sentence,
+the paragraph is doing too much.
+
+### 2. Structure: Claim → Evidence → Link
+| Element | Role | Typical Length |
+|---------|------|----------------|
+| Claim | The sentence the reader must remember | 1 sentence |
+| Evidence | Data, quote, or observation that supports the claim | 1–3 sentences |
+| Link | Bridge to the next idea or implication | 1 sentence |
+
+### 3. Sentence-Level Defaults
+- Subject–Verb–Object first, modifiers last.
+- Lead with the actor: "The model failed" not "A failure occurred."
+- Use concrete nouns and active verbs. Delete adjectives that repeat the noun.
+  - Example: "large size" → "size." "final outcome" → "outcome."
+
+### 4. Paragraph Openers
+Aim for one of:
+1. Assertion: "Adoption stalled after Q3."
+2. Contrast: "Initial gains reversed in July."
+3. Question: "Why did latency spike?" (use sparingly; one per section max)
+
+### 5. Paragraph Closers
+Every paragraph must end with one:
+- Forward bridge: "That shift changed the failure mode."
+- Summary: "Net result: 22% drop in throughput."
+- Pending question: "The cause is still unknown."
+
+Never end a paragraph with a reference or a quote; paraphrase instead.
+
+### 6. Length Targets
+- Web: 40–90 words per paragraph.
+- Report: 80–150 words per paragraph.
+- Academic: 100–250 words per paragraph.
+
+If a paragraph exceeds target, split at the last natural break.
+
+### 7. Transition Discipline
+- Never use "However," as the first word of two consecutive paragraphs.
+- Never open a paragraph with "In conclusion," unless it is the actual conclusion.
+- Prefer named connectors: "Similarly," "By contrast," "That said."
+
+### 8. Revision Checklist
+- [ ] Can the paragraph's idea be stated in one sentence?
+- [ ] Does every sentence support that idea?
+- [ ] Is the opener a claim, contrast, or question?
+- [ ] Is the closer a bridge, summary, or pending question?
+- [ ] Does the paragraph stay within its length target?
+
+### 9. Before/After Example
+Before:
+"The system was observed to have a large size and a final outcome that was not
+good, which meant that there were issues with performance."
+
+After (Claim → Evidence → Link):
+"The deployment exceeded the memory limit by 34%. Logs show 512 MB paged
+to disk every 12 minutes. That swap pressure caused the throughput drop."
+
+Word count: before 28 words, after 26 words. Information density doubled.
+
+### 10. Authoring Cheat Sheet
+- Write hot, then cut.
+- First draft goal: ideas on paper, not polished prose.
+- Second draft goal: one idea per paragraph.
+- Third draft goal: sentence-level defaults applied.
+- Fourth draft goal: length target and transition check.
+
+---
+
+Artifact: quill-paragraph-draft-guide.md
+Created: 2026-10-23
+Lane: Draft — fast writing and drafts.