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Choose primary-data sources for a beverage trend report

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You're writing a trend report on alcohol-free drinks for a beverage client, and your editor only accepts primary data. From your saved list, you want exactly 3 numbered picks that have original data, a stated sample, and a 2025 or later date, each with a reason under 15 words. Use only the details in your list, plain text, and nothing else.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not giving the criteria. The AI picks the most readable or most relevant-sounding sources, including blogs and summaries. Try: Spell it out: "Original data, stated sample, 2025 or later."
  • Accepting a summary. The trade newsletter repeats real numbers, so the AI may count it as a source. Try: Add: "Skip anything that summarizes another source."
  • Getting trend findings. The AI starts guessing what each source says about the trend. Try: Say: "Output only the 3 picks, no findings."
  • Not saying how many. The AI decides the length itself and usually returns more picks than you can use. Try: Be exact: "exactly 3 numbered picks."
  • Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in a note to your editor. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the criteria
  • Rules out summaries
  • Says exactly how many
  • Limits each reason
  • Asks for plain text

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