# Pseudoprose

    [[

    pseudoprose is pseudocode[1] for writers.

    ## how to

    - write english, spanish, whatever.
    - grammar optional.
    - markdown encouraged.
    - embed in any doc with `[[...]]` brackets.
    - use `{...}` for comments.
    - use `<<...>>` for LLM instructions.
    - "tk" means "todo".

    ## why

    - jot notes/ideas quickly.
    - semantics over syntax.
    - less text to edit.
    - foist gruntwork on llms.

    ## tips

    pseudoprose makes better writers.

    my advice rests on unsubstantiated claims:

    <<create table-of-contents from h3 titles below.>>

    ### build with svo.

    study sentences.
    svo[^2] makes solid foundation.
    practice with toki pona[^3].

    construct lean subjects and objects.
    choose load-bearing adjectives.

    erect compound sentences from basic clauses.
    writers overuse commas. {commas are for cowards.}
    omit "and"/"but"/"so" without adding ambiguity.

    ### celebrate strong verbs.

    strong verbs bear weight.
    "is"/"are"/"do" laze around.

    use adverbs sparingly.
    e.g. prefer "rocketed" over "went fast".

    ### create arguments.

    structure your thoughts.

    form propositions[^4],
    qualify opinions,
    cite axioms,
    etc.

    hunt for holes; the essay writes itself.

    ### expand fractally.

    write via nondeterministic recursive algorithm.
    perform any transformation until satisfied:
    - write a sentence.
    - replace weak sentence with more sentences.
    - delete nonsense.

    e.g.
    "she slept."
    becomes
    "she dreamt of clowns. she woke up in her car."

    ### qualify later.

    watch out for implied qualifications.
    "people eat" does not equal "most people eat".

    "usually" wrecks text.
    don't water down verbs.
    make subject/object more specific.

    always avoid superlatives.

    ### measure twice, prompt once.

    gpt4 produced the markdown at <https://taylor.town/pseudoprose>.

    tweak the following prompt:
    ```
    I'm going to provide pseudoprose as input.
    I want a well-formatted markdown document as output.

    - Use my exact words unless there is a grammatical mistake.
    - When possible, replace footnotes with markdown links.
    - Omit everything in braces (e.g. {this is a comment}).
    - Replace anything in double angle-brackets with its output.
    - "tk" means "todo". Replace every "tk" with a sensible guess.

    example 1:
    "[[she hid her wedding ring in a bag of doritos.]]"
    "She hid her wedding ring in a bag of Doritos."

    example 2:
    "[[sarah likes coffee. sam prefers tea {chai?}.]]"
    "Sarah likes coffee. Sam prefers tea."

    example 3:
    "[[fido licked his paw and barked. <<change fido to a cat>>]]"
    "Fido licked his paw and meowed."

    example 4:
    "[[i wore a fuzzy green tk to prom.]]"
    "I wore a fuzzy green jacket to prom."

    input:
    ```

    ---

    [^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocode

    [^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject–verb–object_word_order

    [^3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toki_Pona

    [^4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposition

    ]]

---

# Pseudoprose

Pseudoprose is [pseudocode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocode) for
writers.

## How to

- Write in English, Spanish, whatever.
- Grammar is optional.
- Markdown is encouraged.
- Embed in any document with `[[...]]` brackets.
- Use `{...}` for comments.
- Use `<<...>>` for LLM instructions.
- "tk" means "todo".

## Why

- Jot down notes/ideas quickly.
- Focus on semantics over syntax.
- Less text to edit.
- Offload grunt work to LLMS.

## Tips

Pseudoprose makes better writers.

My advice rests on unsubstantiated claims:

1. [Build with SVO](#build-with-svo)
2. [Celebrate Strong Verbs](#celebrate-strong-verbs)
3. [Create Arguments](#create-arguments)
4. [Expand Fractally](#expand-fractally)
5. [Qualify Later](#qualify-later)
6. [Measure Twice, Prompt Once](#prompt-once)

### Build with SVO {build-with-svo}

Study sentences.
[SVO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject–verb–object_word_order) makes a
solid foundation. Practice with
[Toki Pona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toki_Pona).

Build lean subjects and objects. Choose load-bearing adjectives.

Erect compound sentences from basic clauses. Writers overuse commas. Omit
"and"/"but"/"so" without adding ambiguity.

### Celebrate Strong Verbs {celebrate-strong-verbs}

Strong verbs bear weight. "Is"/"are"/"do" laze around.

Use adverbs sparingly. Prefer "rocketed" over "went fast".

### Create Arguments {create-arguments}

Structure your thoughts.

Form [propositions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposition), qualify
opinions, cite axioms, etc.

Hunt for holes; the essay writes itself.

### Expand Fractally {expand-fractally}

Write via a nondeterministic recursive algorithm. Perform any transformation
until satisfied:

- Write a sentence.
- Replace weak sentence with more sentences.
- Delete nonsense.

Example: "She slept." becomes "She dreamt of clowns. She woke up in her car."

### Qualify Later {qualify-later}

Watch out for implied qualifications. "People eat" does not equal "most people
eat".

"Usually" wrecks text. Don't water down verbs. Make the subject/object more
specific.

Always avoid superlatives.

### Measure Twice, Prompt Once. {prompt-once}

GPT-4 produced the markdown at <https://taylor.town/pseudoprose>.

Tweak the following prompt:

```
I'm going to provide pseudoprose as input.
I want a well-formatted markdown document as output.

- Use my exact words unless there is a grammatical mistake.
- When possible, replace footnotes with markdown links.
- Omit everything in braces (e.g. {this is a comment}).
- Replace anything in double angle-brackets with its output.
- "tk" means "todo". Replace every "tk" with a sensible guess.

example 1:
"[[she hid her wedding ring in a bag of doritos.]]"
"She hid her wedding ring in a bag of Doritos."

example 2:
"[[sarah likes coffee. sam prefers tea {chai?}.]]"
"Sarah likes coffee. Sam prefers tea."

example 3:
"[[fido licked his paw and barked. <<change fido to a cat>>]]"
"Fido licked his paw and meowed."

example 4:
"[[i wore a fuzzy green tk to prom.]]"
"I wore a fuzzy green jacket to prom."

input:
```