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Put two historians' arguments side by side

Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Your History seminar asks you to compare interpretations, and two readings disagree about the Dust Bowl. Get exactly 2 numbered lines, one per historian, each in the form 'Historian: main argument | key evidence', then one line starting 'Disagree on:' naming the core disagreement, under 85 words total, plain text. Use only the excerpts and don't take a side.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking to compare. The AI writes an essay comparing them and usually ends by picking a winner. Try: Show the shape: "Historian: argument | evidence", then "Disagree on:".
  • Not saying how many lines. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more lines than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 2 numbered lines."
  • Missing the precise disagreement. The AI lists differences without naming the one thing they really disagree about. Try: Add: "End with one line starting 'Disagree on:' naming the core disagreement."
  • Letting the AI pick a side. AI likes to conclude, and your professor said not to yet. Try: Add: "Don't take a side or say who is right."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each part: "argument under 12 words, evidence under 12."
  • Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your seminar notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Shows the line shape
  • Asks for the disagreement
  • Stays neutral
  • Sets a length limit
  • Says to use only the material

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