Summarize a founding document reading for 9th graders

About this exercise

You're a junior helping 9th graders in your school's peer tutoring program with a reading on Federalist No. 10. Get exactly 3 numbered sentences in plain words a 9th grader can follow, under 75 words total, plain text: what a faction is, why Madison thought they were dangerous, and his solution. Use only the textbook passage, and don't use the words 'factious', 'republic' or 'majoritarian' at all.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not saying who reads it. The AI summarizes at a college level, with the same vocabulary that lost the 9th graders. Try: Say: "For 9th graders, in plain words."
• Not saying how many sentences. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more sentences than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered sentences."
• Not giving the three parts. The AI may cover the background and skip the solution, which is the main point. Try: Name them: "what a faction is, why it's dangerous, his solution."
• Letting in outside material. The AI knows a lot about Madison and may add Federalist 51. Try: Add: "Use only the textbook passage."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each sentence: "each under 18 words."
• Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols on the tutoring handout. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says who it's for
• Says how many sentences
• Names the three parts
• Avoids hard words
• Says to use only the material

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