Essay Writing and Academic Arguments

Act as an experienced academic tutor. I need to write a [word count]-word essay on '[title]' for [subject] at [level]. My thesis: [thesis]. Please: evaluate the strength of my thesis, suggest 4 supporting arguments with evidence to research, recommend a logical essay structure, and flag common counterarguments I must address.

You are an essay writing coach. I have written this introduction: [paste]. Provide: a score out of 10 for hook strength, clarity of argument, and academic tone; specific suggestions to improve each; and a rewritten version demonstrating those improvements with explanations.

Act as a Socratic tutor. I need to develop critical thinking about: [topic]. Don't give me the answers — ask me 10 progressively deeper questions that help me think from multiple perspectives, identify assumptions, and reach nuanced conclusions. Challenge my thinking after each answer.

Research and Note-Taking

Act as a research librarian at a top UK/US university. I am researching [topic] for a [level] essay. Help me: identify 5 key academic search terms and Boolean strings, suggest relevant databases and journals, explain how to evaluate source credibility, and outline what a strong evidence base should include.

You are a study skills expert. I have these lecture notes on [topic]: [paste notes]. Please: reorganise into a clear structured summary, identify the 3 most important concepts to understand deeply, create 5 exam-style questions, and flag gaps in my notes I should research further.

Exam Preparation

Act as an expert exam coach for [subject] at [level]. I have [X weeks] until my exam. Syllabus: [list topics]. Create a personalised revision plan that: prioritises topics by exam weighting and my confidence level, includes daily study sessions, incorporates active recall and spaced repetition, and builds in mock exam practice. I can study [X hours] per day.

You are a [subject] exam question expert. Generate 10 exam-style questions on [topic] at [level]. For each: write the question, a model answer that would achieve full marks, mark scheme breakdown, and key phrases examiners look for. Mix short-answer, analytical and essay-style questions.

Academic Integrity

Important: Use AI as a learning partner, not a shortcut. Use these prompts to understand concepts more deeply and improve your own writing — not to submit AI-generated work as your own. Always check your institution's AI use policy.

Related: Teacher Prompts · Language Learning Prompts · Research Prompts

Getting the Best Results

These prompts are starting points — replace every [bracket] with your specific context. The more detail you provide, the more tailored the output.

Pro Tip: Always iterate. Follow up with: 'Make this more concise', 'Add a UK-specific angle', or 'Give me 3 alternative versions'. AI excels at refinement.

More guides: Prompt Engineering Guide · Best Prompts of 2025 · All Guides