An effective writing technique that LLMs have learned to imitate: "Connect nine of the ten dots."

· Bits and Bobs 4/6/26
  • An effective writing technique that LLMs have learned to imitate: "Connect nine of the ten dots."
    • The last dot is obvious and trivial, but the reader connects it.
    • Because the reader connects it, they feel ownership over the insight, instead of it being pushed on them.
    • Chase Hughes, a former behavior analyst for the Navy, describes this technique as "elicitation."
      • By leaving incomplete information, you invite the other person to fill in the gaps.
      • Useful for building rapport, but also for getting people to flesh out information you only partially have.

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