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Check your annual report's impact numbers against program data
Practice: Catching mistakes and made-up facts. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your communications volunteer drafted the impact section of the annual report. You want only the numbers the program data contradicts, as numbered lines in the form "Draft says X; data says Y", under 60 words total, plain text. Skip numbers that match and claims the data doesn't cover, and don't rewrite the draft.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking for a proofread. The AI polishes the writing and leaves the inflated numbers in. Try: Say: "Check only the numbers against the program data."
- Flagging everything. The AI questions matching numbers and the closing claim to look careful. Try: Add: "Skip numbers that match and claims the data doesn't cover."
- Getting a rewrite. The AI rewrites the section, and your volunteer can't see what changed. Try: Say: "Don't rewrite. Use the line format."
- 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 12 words."
- Getting markdown back. AI defaults to bold labels and headings, which show up as stray symbols in an email to your volunteer. 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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