Introduction: The Goal
This exercise will teach you to move beyond simple text generation. You'll learn to **direct, constrain, and refine** an AI's output to transform raw notes into a polished document. The **"report"** you will generate is a structured summary of your process, findings, and reflections from the previous "Related Work" exercise.
What to Do in This Exercise
Your task is to **learn and apply** the techniques in this guide. You are not expected to take new notes. Instead, you will use the notes you have **already taken** as the source material to practice generating, refining, and verifying an AI-written report.
Step 1: The Core Prompt
The first step is to provide the LLM with your raw material. Instead of pasting text, attach your notes document directly to give the AI the full context.
Key Technique: Assign a Persona and Goal
Frame your request clearly by telling the AI who to be and what to do, then attach your notes document.
"You are a research assistant tasked with writing a report about an experiment in using AI to generate a 'Related Work' section. I have attached a Google Doc containing my raw notes from the experiment. Your task is to synthesize these notes into a well-structured, formal report that details the methodology, findings, and reflections. [Attach your Google Doc here]"
Step 2: Refine the Draft
An AI's first draft is rarely perfect. Use these techniques to act as an editor, refining the report's structure, style, and conciseness.
Impose a clear structure to ensure all key information is included and logically arranged. The most effective method is to provide a mandatory outline.
"Regenerate the report, but follow this exact structure: 1. Introduction: Goal of the exercise. 2. Methodology: 2.1 The 'Expert' Role. 2.2 The 'Non-Expert' Role. 3. Analysis of Findings: 3.1 What Worked. 3.2 Challenges and Failures. 4. Reflection: Address key reflection questions. 5. Conclusion: Key takeaways."
Be explicit about the desired writing style to move away from the AI's generic default.
"Revise the report to have a more academic and objective tone. Remove conversational language."
"Rewrite the 'Reflection' section in the first person to sound more like a personal journal entry."
Give direct commands to tighten the language and improve clarity.
"This report is too wordy. Shorten it by 25%, removing redundant phrases and making each sentence as clear and direct as possible."
Step 3: The Critical Final Check
An AI-generated report is a **draft, not a final product**. It is your responsibility to ensure it is accurate and faithful to your original notes. Never trust the output without verification.