The Abstract: The Paper in Miniature
The abstract is a dense summary of the entire paper. We recommend choosing up to two of the three experiments below to explore different strategies. If you complete all parts of this exercise, including the final reflection, feel free to return here and try the third experiment if time permits.
The Introduction: Setting the Stage
The introduction creates a narrative that leads the reader to your research question. We recommend choosing up to two of the three experiments below to explore different pathways for building this narrative with an AI. If you complete all parts of this exercise, including the final reflection, feel free to return here and try the third experiment if time permits.
The Synthesis: Crafting a 'One-Shot' Master Prompt
After experimenting with various methods, synthesize your learnings into a single, comprehensive set of instructions.
1. Review Your Notes
Look back at all your experiments. Which prompts gave the best results? Which ones failed? Identify the key ingredients that led to success (e.g., providing a specific persona, giving structural rules, specifying the context).
2. Draft a "Master Prompt"
Combine all the successful elements into a single, detailed prompt. This prompt should be a template you could use for future papers. It should include clear instructions on persona, task, context, structure, key information to include, and style.
3. Test and Analyze
Run your master prompt with the attached paper. How does the output of this single, detailed prompt compare to the drafts you generated through iterative or interactive methods?
4. Final Submission
Once you have crafted and tested your 'Master Prompt', please add it to our shared class folder. Create a new Google Doc, paste your prompt, and name the file with your name.
Open Master Prompt FolderReflection and Final Analysis
Review your notes, get feedback from a peer, and consolidate your learnings from this exercise.
Peer Review & Feedback
Swap your best-generated abstract and introduction with a partner. Read their work and provide constructive feedback based on the questions below. Discuss your findings with each other.
Feedback Questions for Your Partner's Work:
- Does the abstract clearly and concisely summarize the paper's core components (problem, method, results, conclusion)?
- Does the introduction present a compelling narrative or 'story' that motivates the research?
- Is the 'gap' in the existing literature that this research fills made obvious?
- What is one thing that works particularly well? What is one area for improvement?