Build your first AI workflow: lesson 7 of 10

Split, Angles and Best of Several

Some jobs are too big for one pass, or too important to trust to one. Split a long file and handle each part the same way. Read one draft from several angles. Or make several versions and keep the best.

LongfilePart 1Part 2Part 3Mergedsummary
A long file
A long file is too much for one step.

Three Ways to Use More Than One Pass

  1. 1Split and merge for long filesOne step maps the parts, each part gets the same careful step, and the notes are merged into one result for the reader.
  2. 2Several angles for a draft that must hold upA writing pass and a substance pass find different problems. Combine them into one list, most important first.
  3. 3Best of several for a choiceMake a few versions, rate each against stated criteria, and keep the best with the reason shown.
  4. 4Start with the simplest shapeEach shape adds steps. A short job takes one step; add a split, a second angle or more versions only when the job shows it needs them.

Pick the Shape

For each job, pick the shape that fits it best.

  1. 1

    Summarize a 90-page evaluation report for a board that will read two pages.

  2. 2

    Check a grant proposal draft for how it reads, and for whether every claim has a source.

  3. 3

    Write the opening of a donor appeal, and keep the strongest of a few tries.

  4. 4

    Change the greeting in one short email to use the reader’s first name.

0 of 4 answered.

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Go Deeper

Split and merge, the part guideMap first, the same step for every part, merge last.Several angles and best of severalBoth shapes drawn, with the real steps from two templates.Draft three versions and pick the bestThe template for the third shape, with its ratings and reasons.