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Pull page-cited debate evidence from your packet

Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your debate team argues that Lincoln High should start at 8:30 a.m. or later, and the judges toss any evidence card without a page number. From your packet, you want exactly 4 numbered lines, each a claim under 15 words followed by its source letter and page, like "(Source A, p. 14)". Use only claims that support a later start and that the sources actually state. Plain text, nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not asking for page numbers. The AI summarizes the evidence but rarely tags each claim with where it came from. Try: Show the shape: "end each line with (Source A, p. 14)."
  • Letting rumors and cons slip in. The AI treats everything on the page as usable, including your teammate's unsourced note and the other side's points. Try: Say: "Only claims the sources state that support a later start. Ignore margin notes."
  • Missing the erratum. The wrong GPA figure sits in the main text, and the AI often copies it without reading the correction at the bottom. Try: Add: "If a correction changes a number, use the corrected number."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more lines than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 4 numbered lines."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in a printed evidence card. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says exactly how many
  • Asks for page citations
  • Picks a side
  • Handles the correction
  • Says to use only your sources

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