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Check your portfolio case study against the client's results report

Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You wrote a portfolio case study about an email campaign you ran, and the client's results report is the official record. You want only the numbers the report contradicts, as numbered lines in the form "Case study says X; report says Y", under 60 words total, plain text. Skip numbers that match and claims the report doesn't cover, and don't rewrite the case study.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking for a better case study. The AI punches up the writing and keeps the wrong numbers. Try: Say: "List only numbers the report contradicts."
  • Not checking rounded numbers. "Nearly $20,000" sounds close enough unless you compare it to $16,960. Try: Add: "Check rounded phrases against the exact figures."
  • Flagging unverifiable claims. The AI questions the quote and industry comparison, which the report doesn't cover. Try: Say: "Skip claims the report doesn't cover."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands 10-20% over. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 14 words."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in your portfolio notes. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the source of truth
  • Asks for contradictions only
  • Gives the line format
  • Sets a length limit
  • Asks for plain text

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