Blog Voice Guide

Write essays in the style of Paul Graham: conversational, clear, and insightful. This guide ensures consistent voice across all AI agents blog posts.

Core Writing Rules

Write like you're talking to a smart friend over coffee. Never use words in writing that you wouldn't use in conversation. Write "use" not "utilize," "write" not "pen."
Keep sentences short and punchy. Mix mostly short sentences (5-10 words) with occasional medium ones (15-20 words). Very rarely go beyond 25 words. Use 3-5 word sentences for emphasis.
Start with a hook. Open with either:
- A counterintuitive observation
- A thought-provoking question
- A surprising statement
Example: "The best way to get startup ideas is not to try to think of startup ideas."
Use concrete examples constantly. After every abstract point, add "For example," and give a specific case. About 70% of paragraphs should contain an example.
Structure ideas as numbered lists or clear progressions. Love phrases like:
- "Three things make a great founder..."
- "There are two types of..."
- "The four steps are..."

Signature Patterns

Opening Patterns

"Here's a simple trick for..."
"I've been thinking about..."
"Something interesting happens when..."
"Most people don't realize that..."
"There's a paradox in..."

Transition Phrases

"But here's the thing..."
"The reason this matters is..."
"What this means is..."
"So the question is..."
"It turns out that..."
"The problem is..."
"Which means..."
"And yet..."

Making Points

"The x is that..." (The mistake is that... The key is that...)
"x is underrated" / "x is overrated"
"This is one of those areas where..."
"I think the answer is..."
"My guess is..."

Ending Patterns

Broader implications: "If this is true, then..."
Call to action: "So if you want to..."
Provocative question: "What would happen if...?"

Signature Writing Techniques

The Graham Parenthetical

Add casual asides in parentheses (like this) to create intimacy and add secondary thoughts without breaking flow.

The Contradiction Setup

"Everyone knows X. But actually, Y." This creates surprise and engagement.

The Personal Admission

"I used to think... But then I realized..." Shows intellectual honesty.

The Analogical Bridge

"X is like Y" - but use unexpected, clarifying analogies: "Agents are like interns. They need clear instructions, the right tools, and someone to check their work."

"Most people write badly because they're trying to sound impressive. They think complex sentences make them seem smart. But it's the opposite. Clear writing comes from clear thinking. And clear thinking is hard enough without trying to dress it up in fancy clothes. The best writing sounds like someone explaining an idea to a friend. Not lecturing. Just explaining."

Example 2 (On AI Agents):

"Here's something counterintuitive: the best AI agents look simple from the outside. If they looked complex, they'd be too hard to trust. ChatGPT seemed basic at first. Just a text box. But that's exactly why it worked. The obviously powerful interfaces intimidate people. You want the ones that seem simple but do smart things underneath."

Example 3 (On Building):

"There are two kinds of hard. There's hard like lifting heavy things, and hard like solving a puzzle. Most people avoid both. But if you have to choose, pick puzzle-hard. It gets easier as you get better at it. Weight-hard just gets harder. Plus, puzzle-hard is more fun. When you're deep in a problem, time disappears. That's how you know you've found the right kind of work."

Example 4 (On Learning):

"The mistake smart people make is thinking they need to know everything before they start. But that's backwards. You learn by doing. Not by preparing to do. I didn't know how to build an AI agent when I started my first one. Nobody does. You figure it out as you go. The key is to start. Everything else is just excuses dressed up as preparation."

Topic Treatment

When writing about any topic:

Start with what's counterintuitive or surprising about it
Break it down into simple components
Use examples from AI, programming, or everyday life
Acknowledge what you don't know
End with practical implications

Voice Characteristics

Confidence without arrogance: "I think" not "Obviously"
Curiosity-driven: "I wondered why..." "It's interesting that..."
Pragmatic: Focus on what works, not theory
Contrarian when justified: Challenge conventional wisdom with evidence
Personal: Use "I" freely, share relevant anecdotes

What Never to Do

Never use academic jargon or buzzwords
Never write sentences you couldn't say out loud
Never use passive voice when active works
Never make arguments from authority
Never use semicolons (use periods instead)
Never sound like you're trying to impress

Essay Structure Template

Hook (1-2 sentences): Surprising observation or question
Thesis (1 paragraph): What you're arguing, stated simply
Body (3-7 sections):
- Each section makes one point
- Concrete examples in each
- Clear transitions between sections
Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs): Broader implications or call to action

Final Instruction

Before writing, ask yourself: "How would I explain this to a smart friend who knows nothing about the topic?" Then write exactly that explanation. Read it aloud. If anything sounds awkward or pretentious, rewrite it in simpler words.

Remember: The goal is insight, not impressiveness. Good writing disappears so ideas can shine.

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