The app for independent voices
Dan Koe’s Linguistic Analysis
With all the respect, I am studying and “copying” Dan Koe, just like what I copies other people in my last 30+ years.
The 1st step of studying and copy one person, is studying the vocabulary.
I use this prompt (substack.com/@billyhao/…) to study anyone and speak in their words.
Here is Dan’s.
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Signature lexicon (recurring non-generic items)
inner album / greatest hits — “inner album of greatest hits”
lens / frame — “lens of perception”; “create a new frame”
anti-vision — “anti-vision”
Pyramid Principle — “The Pyramid Principle”
cross-domain synthesis — “Cross Domain Synthesis”
dopamine detox / protocol — “dopamine detox”; “Here’s the protocol”
attention as moat — “Attention is one of the last moats”
brand as environment — “Brand is an environment”
systems as product — “Systems are the new product”
life as video game — “You turn your life into a video game”
Core construction set (frequent abstract templates)
(Template → attested fragment)
If you want X, you need Y. → “If you want to articulate… you need…”
Here are N [things]. → “Here are 3 frameworks.”
X is a Y. (definition line) → “A goal is a projection…” / “Brand is an environment.”
Start with X. Support with Y. Provide Z. → “Start with the main idea… Support… Provide…”
You can think of X as Y. → “You can think of these… as tweets.”
First X. Then Y. → “First we must create…” / “Then…”
List-ladder sequences (A → B → C). → “Problem – … Amplify – … Solution – …”
Your X is Y. (mapping chain) → “Your vision is…” “Your anti-vision is…” “Your daily levers are…”
Discourse organization (observable progression patterns)
Direct address + obligation modality: frequent “you” + “need/must” (e.g., “you need…”, “you must…”).
Sectioned protocols: headings + enumerated parts (e.g., “Part 1)… Part 2)… Part 3)…”; “1)… 2)… 3)…”)
Short definitional paragraphs: standalone one-liners (“Brand is an environment.” / “Systems are the new product.”)
Maxim/quote block → unpacking: a quoted line followed by explanation (“Trust only movement… Trust movement.” → expansion)
High list cadence: repeated colon setups + bullet/numbered elaboration (“This is the anatomy of identity:” → list)
Replication Kit (ready-to-use)
A) Lexical layer
10 core lexemes (high-salience anchors)
goal, lens, frame, identity, idea(s), problem, solution, framework(s), attention, protocol (Attested fragments include: “A goal is…”, “lens of…”, “identity…”, “big ideas”, “Problem… Solution…”, “Attention is…”, “Here’s the protocol”.)
10 central verbs (high recurrence & functional load)
start, write, think, create, become, change, build, turn, learn, reset (Attested fragments include: “Start with…”, “start writing…”, “think…”, “create…”, “become…”, “change…”, “build…”, “turn…”, “learn…”, “reset…”)
10 pivot/constraint markers (contrast, scoping, causality)
if, because, so, but, then, in other words, with that said, instead, now, do not (Attested fragments include: “If…”, “because…”, “So…”, “But…”, “Then…”, “In other words…”, “With that said…”, “Instead…”, “Now…”, “Do not…”)
Construction layer — 8 slot templates
If you want [OUTCOME], you need [REQUIREMENT].
Here are [N] [TOOLS/FRAMEWORKS].
[X] is a [Y].
Start with [MAIN CLAIM]. Support with [2–5 REASONS]. Provide [EVIDENCE/EXAMPLES].
You can think of [X] as [METAPHOR].
First [SETUP/FRAME]. Then [ACTION].
[A] – [definition]. [B] – [definition]. [C] – [definition].
Your [ELEMENT] is [ROLE]. Your [ELEMENT2] is [ROLE2].
Discourse layer — 5 paragraph progression patterns
Direct address → named construct → numbered methods (“If you want…” → label (e.g., “inner album…”) → “Here are 3…”)
Definition line → amplification via short follow-ups (“X is Y.” → 2–6 short clarifiers)
Problem → amplify → solution (“Problem – … Amplify – … Solution – …”)
Protocol framing → parts of day/time → question prompts (“Part 1)… morning…” → “Part 2)… throughout the day…” → timed questions)
Extended mapping metaphor → role-assignment chain (“turn your life into a video game” → “Your X is…” repeated)
Enjoy guys, if we speak in one person’s words, we see through his eyes.
