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Check which of your thesis drafts are arguable
Practice: Showing an example of what you want. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your History 201 professor wants an arguable thesis, and you wrote 3 drafts. Get exactly 3 numbered lines, one per draft in order, each labeled exactly 'Arguable' or 'Not arguable' with a reason under 15 words, plain text. Judge them only by your professor's definition, and don't rewrite any of them, since the thesis is graded.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Asking which is best. The AI picks one and then polishes it into a new thesis, which isn't your work anymore. Try: Say: "Don't rewrite any draft. Just label each one."
- Not giving exact labels. Without fixed labels, the AI hedges with "somewhat arguable" or "could be stronger". Try: Say: "Label each one exactly 'Arguable' or 'Not arguable'."
- Letting the AI use its own standard. The AI may agree with your roommate that a safe, broad claim is fine. Try: Add: "Judge only by my professor's definition below."
- 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: "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 professor's definition
- Says not to rewrite it
- Says how many lines
- Sets a length limit
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