Answer Patterns
I sort answers along four lines. This helps me see what an answer is doing before I decide what it is worth.
- Truth value. Yes agrees. No denies. Don’t know admits doubt. Maybe adds conditions.
- Form. A short answer is direct. A long answer explains or explores, and it usually carries some doubt with it.
- Intent. An answer can inform, persuade, entertain, or take responsibility for being right. Often it does two of these at once.
- Certainty. High goes with a clean Yes or No. Medium adds hedges. Low sits with Don’t know or guessing.
The useful move is to read the intent first. “You should definitely try this” is a short, persuasive Yes with medium certainty. Knowing that tells me how much weight to give it.
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