Tips

Answer Patterns Framework

This framework categorizes answers based on truth value, form, purpose/intent, and optional certainty, helping analyze or structure answers systematically.

1. Truth Value

The core answer to a question can be:

• Yes — affirms the proposition
• No — denies the proposition
• Don’t Know — expresses uncertainty
• Maybe — long or nuanced answers that introduce conditions or ambiguity

2. Form / Length

• Short — concise, direct, minimal explanation
• Long — elaborated, justified, or exploratory
• Long answers often introduce nuance or uncertainty

3. Purpose / Intent

• Inform — provide knowledge or clarity
• Persuade — convince or influence
• Entertain — amuse, provoke thought, or engage
• Accountable — take responsibility for accuracy, consequences, or ethical implications

Answers can combine multiple intents (e.g., Inform + Accountable)

4. Certainty (optional)

• High — aligns clearly with Yes/No
• Medium — introduces qualifiers or conditions
• Low — aligns with Don’t Know or speculative answers

5. Example Classifications

1. “Yes, with these caveats…”
   • Truth Value: Yes
   • Form: Long
   • Intent: Inform + Accountable
   • Certainty: Medium
2. “I have no idea.”
   • Truth Value: Don’t Know
   • Form: Short
   • Intent: Inform
   • Certainty: Low
3. “You should definitely try this approach!”
   • Truth Value: Yes
   • Form: Short
   • Intent: Persuade
   • Certainty: Medium
4. “Here’s a funny but plausible theory.”
   • Truth Value: Maybe
   • Form: Long
   • Intent: Entertain + Inform
   • Certainty: Low

Summary Table

Dimension	Categories
Truth Value	Yes, No, Don’t Know, Maybe
Form / Length	Short, Long
Purpose / Intent	Inform, Persuade, Entertain, Accountable
Certainty (optional)	High, Medium, Low