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Get a Methods section template of questions, not answers

  • For College students
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You must write your Physics Methods section yourself. Get a fill-in template with exactly these six labels in this order: Goal, Equipment, Variable changed, Variable measured, Controlled, Steps. After each label put one question under 12 words about your own experiment. Fill in nothing. Plain text, under 110 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking for help writing. The AI writes the Methods section from your notes, which is the graded work. Try: Say: "Questions only. Don't fill in any answers."
  • Not fixing the labels. The AI invents its own headings and order. Try: Say: "Exactly these six labels in this order: Goal, Equipment, ..."
  • Generic questions. Questions that fit any lab teach nothing. Try: Add: "Questions about my pendulum experiment."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each part: "each line under 12 words."
  • Forgetting where it's going. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Lists the six labels
  • Asks for questions only
  • Says fill in nothing
  • Ties to the experiment
  • Sets a length limit

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