Check whether your paraphrases are fair or too close

About this exercise

For your Anthropology paper, you paraphrased 3 sentences from a source and want to make sure you didn't plagiarize or change the meaning. Get exactly 3 numbered lines labeled exactly Fair, Too close or Changes meaning, using the writing center's definitions, each with a reason under 15 words, plain text. Don't write new paraphrases for you.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Asking if they're ok. The AI rewrites each paraphrase 'better', and then it isn't your writing. Try: Say: "Don't write new paraphrases. Just label them."
• Not giving exact labels. Without fixed labels, the AI says 'mostly fine' and misses the plagiarism risk. Try: Say: "Label each exactly Fair, Too close or Changes meaning."
• Not naming the standard. The AI may accept a synonym swap as fine because it's cited. Try: Add: "Use the writing center's definitions."
• Not saying how many lines. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more lines than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered lines."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each reason: "under 12 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

• Gives exact labels
• Uses the guide
• Says not to rewrite it
• Says how many lines
• Sets a length limit

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