Practice identifying critical lenses in sample readings

About this exercise

Your Intro to Literary Theory midterm gives short interpretations and asks which lens each uses. Get exactly 4 numbered sample interpretations of the short story from class, then an 'Answers' line labeling each exactly Formalist, Marxist or Feminist, plain text. Use each lens at least once, and follow your professor's definitions, especially her note about Formalism.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not saying how many interpretations. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more interpretations than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 4 numbered interpretations."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each item: "each interpretation under 30 words."
• Not giving exact labels. The AI may use other lenses, like psychoanalytic, that aren't on this midterm. Try: Say: "Label each exactly Formalist, Marxist or Feminist."
• Missing the professor's rule. The AI may write a 'Formalist' reading that mentions 1890s society, which your professor says isn't Formalist. Try: Add: "Formalist items stay inside the text, per Prof. Achebe-Ward."
• Answers next to each item. Seeing the answer right away means you never test yourself. Try: Add: "Put all answers at the end under 'Answers'."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says how many interpretations
• Gives exact labels
• Uses the professor's rule
• Puts answers at the end
• Sets a length limit

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