The Minto Pyramid Principle

2/ Group and summarise your supporting arguments

Your ideas should form a pyramid under your answer.

Your ideas at one level must be a summary of the ideas below.

For each supporting argument, break down into a group of 3.

Three is the magic number– memorable and persuasiv...

1/ Start with the answer first

It's natural to build up to a conclusion after presenting the facts.

Instead, give the answer first.

This allows your listener to quickly process your recommendation.

"What should we do?" → "You should do X."

You'll be more persuasive.

3/ Logically order your supporting ideas

You want to make sure your ideas belong together.

1. Time order - follow if there is a sequence of events

2. Structural order - break a single thought into its parts

3. Degree order - present your ideas from most to least important

The point above has to be a summary of those below, because it is derived from them. You can’t derive an idea from a grouping unless the ideas in the grouping are logically the same, and in logical order

This method was found by Barbara Minto. The first female MBA professional hire they ever made, Barbara is best known for the Minto Pyramid Principle, her immortal framework for writing and presenting ideas. First published in book form more than 40 years ago, its lessons are still taught at Embar...

Further reading:

The Pyramid Principle: What It Is + A Case Example

What is the Minto Pyramid Principle?