In a fascinating discussion, architect Michael Dean offers insights into the 27-point framework he developed to analyze great writing. He emphasizes the significance of clarity, structure, and voice in both essays and architectural design. Michael explores how tension and core questions create compelling narratives, and he highlights the transformative power of writing in personal expression. With the rise of AI, he urges writers to embrace their unique skills while leveraging technology, making the case that mastering writing will always hold importance.
01:51:30
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Objective Writing Quality
Writing quality has both objective and subjective elements, like grammar rules and reader preferences.
An objective system helps writers identify weaknesses and improve, even with varying reader tastes.
insights INSIGHT
Fundamental Design Problems
All writing, regardless of topic or style, shares fundamental design problems related to idea, form, and voice.
These design constraints exist within any genre and should be considered.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Architecture vs. Writing
Michael Dean compares architectural analysis to writing analysis using the Guggenheim and Apple Store.
Despite stylistic differences, both buildings share a similar core structure, which Dean illustrates with diagrams.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Umberto Eco's 'How to Write a Thesis' offers practical advice on all aspects of thesis writing, from choosing a topic to organizing research and writing the final draft. The book is known for its engaging style, humor, and irreverence, making it a unique and valuable resource for students and academics. Originally published in 1977, it has become a classic in its field, translated into seventeen languages and now available in English.
A pattern language
Towns, Buildings, Construction
Nax Jacobsohn
Murray Silverstein
Ingrid Fiksdahl-King
Shlomo Angel
Max Jacobson
Sara Ishikawa
Christopher Alexander
This book, written by Christopher Alexander and his colleagues, introduces the concept of a 'pattern language' consisting of 253 patterns that address various design problems in architecture, urban planning, and community design. Each pattern describes a recurring problem and its solution, allowing readers to adapt these solutions to their specific needs and local conditions. The book is structured to help ordinary people, as well as professionals, design and improve their homes, streets, and communities. It has had significant influence on fields beyond architecture, including software engineering and urban planning[3][4][5].
The great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
Shooting an Elephant
George Orwell
Consider the lobster
David Foster Wallace
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism[2][3][5].
Architect Michael Dean breaks down the hidden patterns behind the great essays of our time. In this video, we go over his 27-point framework that makes up every world class piece of writing and how he uses the same system to analyze the Guggenheim and Apple Store. We also talk about what skills will still matter as AI continues to improve and why learning to write might be more important than ever. Enjoy!
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.
How I Write 
