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Map an author's argument into premises and a conclusion
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your Intro to Philosophy seminar wants every reading reduced to its argument. Get the author's argument as numbered premises labeled P1, P2 and so on, then a final line labeled C for her conclusion, under 70 words, plain text. Include only the author's own premises, not the objection she raises and rejects.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking for a summary. The AI writes a paragraph about the reading, not the step-by-step argument your seminar wants. Try: Show the form: "P1:, P2:, P3:, then C:."
- Burying the conclusion. The AI often states the conclusion first, the way the author does, instead of last. Try: Add: "The conclusion goes last, labeled C."
- Treating the objection as a premise. The AI includes everything the author discusses, including the view she rejects. Try: Add: "Leave out the objection she rejects."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 15 words."
- 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 standard form
- Puts the conclusion last
- Leaves out the objection
- Sets a length limit
- Asks for plain text
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