RESOURCE Guide: Setting Up Your AI Debate Prompt
2 min read
When you begin your debate with an AI tool, you need to give clear instructions, so the AI takes on the role of your opponent and stays in character. Think of this like setting the “rules of the game.”
Use each step listed below to create a one paragraph prompt that you will use to begin your debate with the AI tool. This prompt is crucial to defining the parameters of the debate’s purpose for the AI tool, so do not skip this step!
Remember: Do not hit Enter to send your prompt to the AI tool until you’ve written the entire paragraph! Type your prompt line by line, reviewing as you go, so the AI receives the full context before generating a response.
Step 1: Frame the Debate Role
· Tell the AI to argue the opposite side of your chosen topic.
Example:
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· “You are my debate opponent. Your role is to argue the opposite position of my claim.”
Step 2: State Your Topic and Position Clearly
· Be specific about the stance you are taking so the AI knows how to respond.
Example:
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· “My claim is that colleges should allow students to use AI tools like ChatGPT in their coursework. Your job is to argue against this position.”
Step 3: Set Expectations for the Debate
· Tell the AI how to respond.
Example:
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· “Give me one strong counterargument at a time. I will respond, and then you will reply with another counterargument. Do not agree with me. Keep your answers short (3–5 sentences) so I can respond in real time.”
Step 4: Manage the Flow
· If the AI strays off track, re-prompt it.
Example:
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· “Remember, your role is to disagree with me and challenge my position.”
Sample Compiled Debate Prompt:
“You are my debate opponent. I will argue that social media is more harmful than beneficial to society. Your role is to take the opposite position and argue that social media is more beneficial than harmful. Only respond with one counterargument at a time, in 3–5 sentences, so I can respond to you like a real debate.”
Use your constructed prompt to begin Week 9’s debate!
Note: Do not paste each line of the prompt into the tool as you write it. Create your debate prompt as one cohesive paragraph before pressing send. We don’t want this done in steps, but rather altogether with one single prompt delivered to the AI tool.
