Examples first. Context second. Filler never.
The goal is to help someone solve a real writing task, then make the chosen line personal enough to sound like it belongs to them.
Start with the actual task
Each guide is built around a recipient, situation, occasion or medium that materially changes what a person needs to write. Closely related wording stays together when the underlying task is the same.
Write original examples
Sample messages are original editorial examples. They are not scraped greeting-card lines, copied competitor lists or invented quotations. Similar ideas can naturally recur across human communication, but exact duplicate examples are blocked in the release audit.
Group examples for a reason
Sections should help the reader choose: short versus fuller wording, card versus text, close relationship versus professional relationship, or another context that changes the sentence. Arbitrary “more examples” buckets do not add value.
Make personalization practical
Useful personalization advice identifies a name, memory, contribution, shared detail or concrete offer that can actually change the message. The examples are starting points, not mandatory scripts.
Separate examples from external guidance
When grief, health, privacy or etiquette guidance materially affects what we recommend, reputable external organizations may support the surrounding advice. Those sources do not author or endorse our example messages.
A publishable guide needs immediate wording, multiple distinct examples, meaningful groups, personalization guidance, caution where appropriate, FAQs and useful related links.