Interactive Case Study: Prompting & AI Responses

This case study explores the journey of crafting an effective AI prompt. We'll begin by walking through the process of refining a simple prompt, step-by-step, using the SMART prompting technique to guide an AI toward a more complex analytical task. Once we have our well-crafted prompt, we'll see how different AI models interpret it, highlighting their unique strengths and personalities.

Part 1: Iterative Prompting Dialogue

Round 1: A Basic Fact-Checking Prompt

Input Prompt

Are there any arguments in the Federalist Papers that are relevant to contemporary debates about the filibuster?

AI Response

Yes, the Federalist Papers contain arguments relevant to contemporary debates about the filibuster, particularly in Federalist No. 22 and Federalist No. 58.

Expert Analysis

This is a good, fact-based start. The AI correctly identifies Federalist No. 22 as a relevant text. The reference to No. 58 is also plausible, as it discusses the power of the House of Representatives, though it's less directly about supermajorities.

Round 2: Scaffolding with a Persona

Input Prompt

Assume the persona of a political science professor. I am your student. I want you to help me understand the relevance of the Federalist Papers to the filibuster debate.

AI Response

Excellent question. While the Federalist Papers don't use the term "filibuster," they absolutely engage with the core principles at stake. Think of it less as a direct mention and more as a philosophical foundation. Where do you think we might see discussions about the power of a minority to block a majority?

Expert Analysis

This is a significant improvement. By assigning a persona ("political science professor"), the user prompts the AI to adopt a more pedagogical stance, asking questions rather than just providing answers.

Round 3: Applying the SMART Framework

Input Prompt

You are a helpful, expert tutor in political science. Your goal is to help a student learn about the Federalist Papers. Customize your interaction to the student's learning level. Guide the student with questions and break topics into smaller chunks.

Follow these steps:

Introduce yourself and ask what the student already knows about the topic.

Based on their response, ask leading questions to help them connect the Federalist Papers to the filibuster debate. Provide analogies and examples.

Do NOT give the answer away directly. Focus on guiding the student toward their own conclusions.

Begin now.

AI Response

Hello! I'm here to help you explore the ideas in the Federalist Papers. It's a fascinating and important text.

To get started, could you tell me a little bit about what you already know about the Federalist Papers or the filibuster debate? No worries if you're brand new to the topic—that just gives us a great place to start!

Expert Analysis

The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Relevant, Tone-specific) is a powerful tool for prompt engineering. This prompt represents a major leap in quality by applying this framework, transforming the AI from a simple respondent into a proactive, process-driven partner.

Part 2: Comparing AI Model Responses

This section shows how different AI models interpret the same detailed prompt with unique personalities and strategies.

Human SMART Prompt

You are a helpful, expert tutor in political science. Your goal is to help a student learn about the Federalist Papers. Customize your interaction to the student's learning level. Guide the student with questions and break topics into smaller chunks.

Follow these steps:

Introduce yourself and ask what the student already knows about the topic.

Based on their response, ask leading questions to help them connect the Federalist Papers to the filibuster debate. Provide analogies and examples.

Do NOT give the answer away directly. Focus on guiding the student toward their own conclusions.

Begin now.

AI Response: Model A

Hello! I’m your political science tutor, and I’m excited to explore the Federalist Papers with you. To get started, can you tell me what you already know about the Federalist Papers—who wrote them, why they were written, or any key ideas you’ve heard? This will help me tailor our discussion to exactly where you are.

AI Response: Model B

Hello! I'm here to help you explore the Federalist Papers - a fascinating collection of writings that shaped American government. I'm excited to work with you on understanding these important documents and how they connect to modern political debates.

Before we dive in, I'd like to get a sense of where you're starting from. What do you already know about the Federalist Papers? Have you encountered them in class, read any excerpts, or maybe just heard the name mentioned? Don't worry if you're starting from scratch - that's perfectly fine!

Also, what's your current level - are you in high school, college, or just exploring this topic on your own? This will help me tailor our discussion to work best for you.

AI Response: Model C

Hello! I'm a political science tutor, and I'm here to help you explore the fascinating world of the Federalist Papers. It's a foundational text for understanding the U.S. Constitution and American government.

To get started, could you tell me a little bit about what you already know about the Federalist Papers? No worries if it's not much – we can start from scratch!

Expert Analysis

Even when given the exact same detailed prompt, different AI models can exhibit distinct "personalities" and teaching strategies. All three models successfully adopt the tutor persona, but they do so with different levels of detail, warmth, and diagnostic questioning. This comparison reveals the subtle but important architectural differences between models.

Attribute	Model A	Model B	Model C
Tone & Persona	Direct, efficient, and task-oriented. It quickly establishes its role and moves to the first diagnostic question.	Warm, reassuring, and comprehensive. It adds context ("fascinating collection") and explicitly reassures the user ("Don't worry... that's perfectly fine!").	Professional yet approachable. Strikes a middle ground between Model A's efficiency and Model B's warmth. Uses educational language ("foundational text").
Questioning Strategy	Asks a single, compound question to gauge prior knowledge: "what you already know... who wrote them, why... or any key ideas".	Uses a layered, multi-question approach. It asks a broad opening question, provides examples ("encountered in class, read any excerpts"), and then asks a separate, crucial question about the user's learning level ("high school, college, or just exploring").	Simple, direct questioning approach. Asks one clear question about prior knowledge while providing reassurance. Similar to Model A but with more supportive tone.
Adherence to Prompt	Follows the prompt more precisely. It introduces itself and asks what the student knows, fulfilling step 1 perfectly.	Follows the prompt while also enriching it. It fulfills step 1 but adds the extra diagnostic layer about the student's level, demonstrating a more proactive interpretation of the instruction to "Customize your interaction."	Follows the prompt accurately with minimal embellishment. Introduces itself clearly and asks for prior knowledge as instructed, staying close to the basic requirements.

The takeaway: Each model brings its own "teaching personality" to the same prompt. Model A is efficient, Model B is comprehensive, and Model C is balanced. This highlights that even with a SMART prompting, the model's own underlying training heavily influences the outcome. So don't be afraid of experimenting with different prompts and approaches to find what works best for your specific needs.