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Write follow-up questions that verify an AI's stats

  • For Marketing and content
  • You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

An AI search tool gave you 4 stats for a launch blog post about refillable packaging, and you need to check them before anything goes live. Write exactly 4 numbered follow-up questions to send back to the tool, one per stat in order, each asking for something you can check (the original publisher, the exact quote, the survey date or the sample size), never a yes/no question. The question about stat 3 must point out its source is from 2017. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking "are these true?". The AI just says "yes, these come from reputable sources" and you've checked nothing. Try: Say: "Each question asks for the publisher, exact quote, date or sample size."
  • One question for everything. The AI writes a single broad question, so vague sources like "industry reports" slip through. Try: Add: "One question per stat, in order."
  • Missing the old source. The AI doesn't notice a 2017 survey is being used for a 2026 claim. Try: Add: "Point out that stat 3's source is from 2017."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each question: "each under 25 words."
  • Getting markdown back. AI bolds stat names, which you'd have to clean up before pasting into the tool. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for follow-up questions
  • One per stat
  • Asks for checkable details
  • Flags the 2017 source
  • Bans yes/no questions

Practice this now ↑

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