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Get your history thesis challenged with questions

Practice: Setting limits and rules. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Before your US History essay, you want your thesis on the New Deal pushed back on, like a tough tutor would. Get exactly 3 numbered questions that each challenge your thesis using a specific document from your packet (name it in parentheses, like '(Doc B)'), under 90 words total, plain text. No answers, no rewritten thesis, no praise.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking if it's good. The AI praises the thesis and then rewrites it for you. Try: Say: "Don't rewrite it or praise it. Only ask questions that challenge it."
  • Not saying how many questions. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more questions than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered questions."
  • Not tying it to documents. The AI asks general questions you can't answer with the evidence you have. Try: Add: "Each question uses one document, named like (Doc B)."
  • Missing the weak spot. The AI may poke at minor points instead of the word 'completely' that makes the thesis indefensible. Try: Add: "Challenge the 'completely' claim."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each question: "each under 22 words."
  • Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols in your notes. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says how many questions
  • Ties questions to documents
  • Says not to rewrite it
  • Asks for a challenge
  • Sets a length limit

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