# Style Cheatsheet

Quick reference for common professional writing situations. Find your row, copy the prompt, follow the skill, then review against the rubric.

If you are unsure where to begin, use [START-HERE.md](START-HERE.md) first.

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## Situation → Style + Skill + Template

| Situation | Use this style | Use this skill | Start with this template | Notes |
|-----------|----------------|----------------|--------------------------|-------|
| Asking for approval (email) | [BLUF](styles/bluf-bottom-line-up-front.md) | — | [email-prompts.md](prompt-templates/email-prompts.md) | Lead with the ask; keep under 300 words |
| Writing a board paper | [Board Paper](styles/board-paper-style.md) | [create-board-pack.md](skills/create-board-pack.md) | [board-paper-prompts.md](prompt-templates/board-paper-prompts.md) | Present 2–3 options; quantify all financials |
| Writing a tax technical note | [Tax Advisory](styles/tax-advisory-style.md) | [create-tax-technical-note.md](skills/create-tax-technical-note.md) | [tax-note-prompts.md](prompt-templates/tax-note-prompts.md) | Question → Facts → Analysis → Conclusion |
| Preparing a project update | [Smart Brevity](styles/axios-smart-brevity.md) | — | [project-status-prompts.md](prompt-templates/project-status-prompts.md) | Headline + 3–5 bullets + next steps; 1 page |
| Writing an IT leadership update | [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) or [Smart Brevity](styles/axios-smart-brevity.md) | [create-executive-memo.md](skills/create-executive-memo.md) | [executive-summary-prompts.md](prompt-templates/executive-summary-prompts.md) | Lead with status, risk, ask, and next milestone |
| Creating a cloud migration briefing | [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) | [create-one-page-brief.md](skills/create-one-page-brief.md) | [executive-summary-prompts.md](prompt-templates/executive-summary-prompts.md) | Quantify savings; include risk and timeline |
| Documenting an incident (post-mortem) | [Incident Report](styles/incident-report-style.md) | — | [incident-report-prompts.md](prompt-templates/incident-report-prompts.md) | Timeline first; blameless; actions with owners |
| Creating a runbook | [Technical Documentation](styles/technical-documentation.md) | [create-runbook.md](skills/create-runbook.md) | [technical-documentation-prompts.md](prompt-templates/technical-documentation-prompts.md) | Numbered steps; decision points; escalation path |
| Preparing a slide deck | [Consulting Style](styles/consulting-style.md) | [create-slide-deck.md](skills/create-slide-deck.md) | [presentation-prompts.md](prompt-templates/presentation-prompts.md) | Assertion headlines; one idea per slide |
| Creating a one-page printable summary | [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) | [create-one-page-brief.md](skills/create-one-page-brief.md) | [executive-summary-prompts.md](prompt-templates/executive-summary-prompts.md) | Fits A4; use bullets; include one clear recommendation |
| Turning notes into a PDF | [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) or chosen style | [create-pdf.md](skills/create-pdf.md) | [pdf-document-prompts.md](prompt-templates/pdf-document-prompts.md) | Use Markdown first; convert only after content review |
| Writing a sales outreach email | [Persuasive Sales](styles/persuasive-sales-style.md) | [create-email-sequence.md](skills/create-email-sequence.md) | [sales-outreach-prompts.md](prompt-templates/sales-outreach-prompts.md) | Lead with their problem, not your product |
| Preparing a job application | [Job Application](styles/job-application-style.md) | — | [job-application-prompts.md](prompt-templates/job-application-prompts.md) | Tailor to role; quantify achievements |
| Summarising study notes | [Plain English](styles/plain-english.md) | — | [learning-notes-prompts.md](prompt-templates/learning-notes-prompts.md) | Question → answer → example format works well |
| Translating and localising content | [Plain English](styles/plain-english.md) | — | [translation-localisation-prompts.md](prompt-templates/translation-localisation-prompts.md) | Preserve meaning; adjust cultural references |
| Writing a risk register | [Consulting Style](styles/consulting-style.md) | [create-risk-register.md](skills/create-risk-register.md) | — | Impact × Likelihood matrix; include owner and review date |
| Creating a roadmap | [Consulting Style](styles/consulting-style.md) | [create-roadmap.md](skills/create-roadmap.md) | — | Outcomes not outputs; flag dependencies |
| Architecture decision record | [ADR](styles/architecture-decision-record-style.md) | [create-adr.md](skills/create-adr.md) | [decision-record-prompts.md](prompt-templates/decision-record-prompts.md) | Context → Decision → Consequences; immutable once signed off |
| Quarterly executive update | [Smart Brevity](styles/axios-smart-brevity.md) | — | [executive-summary-prompts.md](prompt-templates/executive-summary-prompts.md) | Headline + metrics + ask; 1 page maximum |
| IAM or security strategy briefing | [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) | [create-one-page-brief.md](skills/create-one-page-brief.md) | [executive-summary-prompts.md](prompt-templates/executive-summary-prompts.md) | Risk-led framing resonates with senior audience |
| Supplier or importer outreach | [Persuasive Sales](styles/persuasive-sales-style.md) | — | [sales-outreach-prompts.md](prompt-templates/sales-outreach-prompts.md) | Professional tone; emphasise mutual commercial benefit |
| Policy or regulatory brief | [Policy Brief](styles/policy-brief-style.md) | — | [policy-prompts.md](prompt-templates/policy-prompts.md) | Evidence-based; balanced; clear recommendations |
| Client advisory memo | [Tax Advisory](styles/tax-advisory-style.md) | [create-executive-memo.md](skills/create-executive-memo.md) | [memo-prompts.md](prompt-templates/memo-prompts.md) | Formal; concise; conclusion stated upfront |
| VAT or customs technical question | [Tax Advisory](styles/tax-advisory-style.md) | [create-tax-technical-note.md](skills/create-tax-technical-note.md) | [tax-note-prompts.md](prompt-templates/tax-note-prompts.md) | State jurisdiction clearly; cite relevant legislation |

---

## What should I copy?

| Need | Copy this first | Then check |
|------|-----------------|------------|
| A reusable prompt for any style transformation | [master-style-transformer.md](prompt-templates/master-style-transformer.md) | [llm-output-quality-rubric.md](rubrics/llm-output-quality-rubric.md) |
| A board paper prompt | [board-paper-prompts.md](prompt-templates/board-paper-prompts.md) | [board-paper-rubric.md](rubrics/board-paper-rubric.md) |
| A tax technical note prompt | [tax-note-prompts.md](prompt-templates/tax-note-prompts.md) | [tax-note-rubric.md](rubrics/tax-note-rubric.md) |
| A slide deck prompt | [presentation-prompts.md](prompt-templates/presentation-prompts.md) | [slide-deck-rubric.md](rubrics/slide-deck-rubric.md) |
| A PDF-ready report prompt | [pdf-document-prompts.md](prompt-templates/pdf-document-prompts.md) | [executive-communication-rubric.md](rubrics/executive-communication-rubric.md) |
| A prompt-improvement prompt | [improve-this-prompt.md](meta-prompts/improve-this-prompt.md) | [good-vs-bad-prompts.md](reference/good-vs-bad-prompts.md) |
| A draft-review prompt | [critique-this-output.md](meta-prompts/critique-this-output.md) | Relevant rubric in [rubrics/](rubrics/) |

---

## Which structure pattern should I use?

| Need | Pattern |
|------|---------|
| Immediate answer or approval request | [BLUF](patterns/bluf.md) |
| Status update with implication | [What / So What / Now What](patterns/what-so-what-now-what.md) |
| Strategic narrative | [SCQA](patterns/situation-complication-question-answer.md) |
| Operational escalation | [Problem / Impact / Recommendation / Next Steps](patterns/problem-impact-recommendation-next-steps.md) |
| Options appraisal | [Context / Analysis / Options / Recommendation](patterns/context-analysis-options-recommendation.md) |
| Risk or audit action tracker | [Issue / Risk / Control / Owner / Date](patterns/issue-risk-control-owner-date.md) |
| Architecture or policy decision | [Decision / Rationale / Consequences](patterns/decision-rationale-consequences.md) |
| Procedure or SOP | [Objective / Scope / Procedure / Exceptions](patterns/objective-scope-procedure-exceptions.md) |

---

## Style at a glance

| Style | Best For | Typical Length | Default Tone |
|-------|----------|---------------|--------------|
| [Smart Brevity](styles/axios-smart-brevity.md) | Executive updates, news, announcements | 150–250 words | Direct, scannable |
| [BLUF](styles/bluf-bottom-line-up-front.md) | Emails, decision memos | Under 300 words | Professional, action-focused |
| [Minto Pyramid](styles/minto-pyramid-principle.md) | Recommendations, strategy papers | 5–10 pages | Analytical, logical |
| [Plain English](styles/plain-english.md) | Instructions, guides, summaries | Flexible | Clear, jargon-free |
| [Executive Briefing](styles/executive-briefing.md) | C-suite presentations, stakeholder briefs | 2–3 pages | Formal, polished |
| [Consulting Style](styles/consulting-style.md) | Strategic memos, slide decks | 5–10 pages | Authoritative, structured |
| [Board Paper](styles/board-paper-style.md) | Board meetings, major decisions | 10–20 pages | Formal, thorough |
| [Technical Documentation](styles/technical-documentation.md) | Engineering specs, runbooks | 10–50 pages | Precise, complete |
| [Tax Advisory](styles/tax-advisory-style.md) | Tax notes, compliance analysis | 5–15 pages | Precise, analytical |
| [Legal Professional](styles/legal-professional-style.md) | Contracts, compliance documents | Flexible | Formal, exact |
| [Academic](styles/academic-style.md) | Research, essays | Flexible | Evidence-based |
| [Journalistic](styles/journalistic-style.md) | News, public comms | 500–2,000 words | Engaging, factual |
| [Persuasive Sales](styles/persuasive-sales-style.md) | Sales emails, pitches | 1–3 pages | Compelling, benefit-focused |
| [Narrative Storytelling](styles/narrative-storytelling.md) | Internal comms, vision statements | 2–5 pages | Engaging, human |
| [Socratic Explainer](styles/socratic-explainer.md) | Teaching, coaching | 3–10 pages | Inquisitive, conversational |
| [Tutorial](styles/tutorial-style.md) | How-to guides, onboarding | 5–20 pages | Step-by-step, encouraging |
| [Crisis Communications](styles/crisis-communications.md) | Incident response, emergency comms | 1–2 pages | Calm, clear, factual |
| [Policy Brief](styles/policy-brief-style.md) | Policy analysis, regulatory input | 5–10 pages | Balanced, evidence-based |
| [Product Requirements](styles/product-requirements-style.md) | PRDs, feature specifications | 10–15 pages | Precise, comprehensive |
| [ADR](styles/architecture-decision-record-style.md) | Technical decisions | 2–5 pages | Structured, traceable |
| [Incident Report](styles/incident-report-style.md) | Post-mortems, root cause analyses | 3–8 pages | Factual, learning-focused |
| [Investor Update](styles/investor-update-style.md) | Stakeholder and investor comms | 2–3 pages | Professional, optimistic |
| [Performance Review](styles/performance-review-style.md) | Employee feedback, appraisals | 1–2 pages | Constructive, specific |
| [Job Application](styles/job-application-style.md) | Cover letters, LinkedIn profiles | 1 page | Personal, compelling |
| [Social Media](styles/social-media-style.md) | LinkedIn posts, announcements | 1–3 sentences | Conversational, punchy |

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## Quick selection logic

**Need a quick update?** → Smart Brevity or BLUF

**Need to persuade or recommend?** → Minto Pyramid, Consulting Style, or Persuasive Sales

**Need to teach or explain?** → Socratic Explainer, Tutorial, or Plain English

**Need to record a decision?** → ADR or Incident Report

**Need formal governance documentation?** → Board Paper, Technical Documentation, or Legal Professional

**Need to engage a broad audience?** → Narrative Storytelling, Journalistic, or Social Media

**Need a specialist professional document?** → Tax Advisory or Legal Professional

See [STYLE-SELECTION-GUIDE.md](STYLE-SELECTION-GUIDE.md) for the full decision tree and selection matrices.