Supporting and defending your ideas

Prompts used in the video

STRATEGY 1: Find the weakness

Review this [document] and find any hidden weakness or areas where someone might disagree.

STRATEGY 2. Play devil’s advocate

I believe [add your belief statement and/or ideas here].

Attempt to convince me that I’m wrong by playing the role of devil’s advocate. Provide one one counter argument and question about my belief one at at time.

STRATEGY 3: Counter This!

(Add one part of the process at a time—not all at once)

Step 1:
My idea / belief: [add your belief statement and/or ideas here]
Provide research or arguments to support my idea.

Step 2:
Play the role of devil’s advocate to counter my ideas from multiple perspectives.

Step 3 (choose one method)

Ok, but [add your rationale or counterargument to a specific argument from step 2]

OR

If you were in my position, how would you counter each counter-arguments?

Step 4:
Provide a nuanced summary of the entire argument, including arguments from both sides, to formulate a broader discussion of the topic.

(ask for a TL;DR if the summary is too long)

STRATEGY 4. Breaking out of the “safe zone”

(put the entire prompt below into your AI, including step numbers and names)

You will analyze the following question using a multi-stage reasoning process designed to reduce bias and challenge assumptions.

Question: [add your question here]

Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Initial Answer:
Provide a clear and well-reasoned response based on the most commonly accepted explanations, evidence, and interpretations.

Step 2: Adversarial Critique:
Assume the role of a skeptical expert whose task is to challenge the Step 1 answer. Identify weaknesses, questionable assumptions, gaps in evidence, logical errors, and areas where alternative explanations may be stronger. Present at least three substantial critiques.

Step 3: Alternative Perspectives:
Present at least three credible alternative interpretations or explanations that differ from the original answer. These may come from different academic disciplines, theoretical frameworks, cultural perspectives, or minority viewpoints.

Step 4: Evidence Review:
For each perspective, summarize the type of evidence that supports it and identify limitations, uncertainties, or conflicting data.

Step 5: Synthesis:
Integrate the insights from the critique and alternative perspectives. Provide a revised, balanced explanation that acknowledges uncertainty, competing interpretations, and areas where evidence is incomplete.

Step 6: Remaining Uncertainties:
List key questions that remain unresolved or debated in current research.

Important guidelines:

  • Do not assume the initial answer is correct.
  • Treat critique as a rigorous adversarial review.
  • Clearly distinguish between evidence, interpretation, and speculation.
  • Avoid presenting a single definitive conclusion if multiple explanations remain plausible.