structure-prose

Structure Prose

Primitive: FUSED-BLOCK — does the block state several independent rules, or one connected chain of reasoning?

Steps

1. Count the block's distinct claims — rules, facts, or cases that stand alone. 1–2 claims, or a block that already scans in one line → prose is fine; stop.

2. Apply the fused-block test. Independent — items make sense in any order, even after a shared setup → structure them. One chain — each sentence sets up the next (a narrative, a causal argument, an explanation that builds) → keep prose; stop.

3. Pick the shape:

   Shape	When it helps
   Plain bullets	Each item is easy to find by its opening words.
   Labeled bullets	A brief label makes an item easier to find.
   Numbered list	Order matters.
   Table	Items share comparable fields, and columns make them easier to compare.

1. Reshape, content verbatim:
   • Move each claim into an item without changing its words.
   • For labeled bullets, use a short bold label that adds no claim.
   • Leave shrinking or clarifying to tighten-instruction.
2. Test each label: read its item without the label.
   • Remove the label if the item is just as easy to find.
   • Rename a useful label that misnames the item.
3. Score and gate the edit. Score confidence 0.00–1.00 that the claims remain verbatim and the new shape scans better.
   • If a caller owns a file-level gate, return the score and proposal without editing.
   • Otherwise, apply at c ≥ 0.80; below that, keep the prose block and report the proposal as held.