What are the key principles of Top-Down Communication?

Hey,

Although The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto is always recommended as a must read on structuring, I personally couldn't get through the first pages as it seemed so heavy and boring to me.

Besides, any reading is passive learning which is the least effective method to acquire a skill ever.

Instead, I recommend active learning such as practicing structuring drills, doing cases with peers, taking sessions with a coach, e.g. everything that forces you to actively practice instead of passively consuming content.

Also, try applying structuring principles in your everyday life, for example, try structuring:

- all the kitchen equipment and utensils;

- all the clothes items in the wardrobe;

- all types of groceries in the supermarket etc.

Hope this helps,

Nick

(edited)

Hi there!

If you want to have distinctive knowledge on this, I'd recommend Barbara Minto's book - The Pyramid Principle. It gives you everything you need to know and is explained in a super clear (and top-down ;) ) way. 

Basically, you should visualise top-down like the root system of a tree. 

• You have the thick part from which the roots spring. This is the governing thought. 
• Then usually you have a few very thick roots that spread in different directions - these are your ‘areas' or ‘buckets’. 
• Then each of these thick roots spread in thinner roots - these are the bullet points in your structure. 
• When you communicate, you need to mention each layer starting from the top and then working down. 

Best,
Cristian

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Hi,

If you haven't yet, I'd suggest you read The Pyramid Principle - which covers in detail the questions you are asking. 

I actually think using cases is not often the most effective way to really hone top-down communication, because there are alot of things going on in a case other than communication. Rather, it's better to isolate that skill and work on it. 

• Try practicing communcating different topics/situations/ideas
• Record yourself and observe your verbal ticks/fillers/logical structure and revise it as needed.

All the best!

The key principles of top-down communication are:

• Clarity: The message should be clear and easy to understand.
• Conciseness: The message should be concise and to the point.
• Completeness: The message should provide all of the necessary information.
• Consistency: The message should be consistent with other messages that the audience has received.
• Correctness: The message should be factually accurate.

Most people go from facts to conclusion when they explain something.

Top-down communication goes the other direction. You always start with the conclusion. Then go to the reasons/arguments that support that conclusion, then to the facts that illustrate those arguments.