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Write questions that make a supplier's claims checkable

  • For Small business owners
  • You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

A deep-research tool summarized a packaging supplier, EverPack, for your candle shop, and you want to verify its 4 claims before ordering 5,000 jars. Write exactly 4 numbered questions, one per claim in order, each naming the exact document that would prove it (like a certificate number, a test report or a signed quote) and never a yes/no question. The question for claim 4 must point out that the tool's only source is a 2022 forum post. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking "are these true?". The tool says "yes, according to the website", which proves nothing. Try: Say: "Each question asks for a specific document that proves the claim."
  • One question for everything. The AI asks one broad question, so the weak claims hide behind the strong ones. Try: Add: "One question per claim, in order."
  • Missing the old source. The AI doesn't notice delivery rests on a 2022 forum post. Try: Add: "Point out claim 4's source is a 2022 forum post."
  • 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 the claim names. Try: Ask for "plain text, no bold."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for proof documents
  • One per claim
  • Flags the forum source
  • Bans yes/no questions
  • Asks for plain text

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