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Write a grant budget justification with the math on every line
Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
A grant application asks you to justify three budget lines. Write exactly 3 numbered lines in the form "Item: $total = math - why it's needed", where the math multiplies the given unit costs, under 90 words, plain text. Use the corrected tutor rate, and each "why" must tie to the program goal in the notes. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- No fixed shape. The AI writes a narrative paragraph per item with a table. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered lines: Item: $total = math - why."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 90 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each why under 12 words."
- Missing the correction. The worksheet shows $18 first, and the AI may calculate with it. Try: Add: "Use $20/hour for tutors (Nov 4 correction)."
- Hiding the math. The AI gives totals without the multiplication the funder asked for. Try: Add: "Show the multiplication on each line."
- Generic reasons. "Essential for program success" could be said about anything. Try: Add: "Tie each why to the small-group tutoring goal."
What a strong prompt includes
- Uses the corrected rate
- Shows the math
- Ties to the goal
- Sets the number of lines
- Sets a word limit
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