Resources

Tools, cheat sheets, and quick references

Quick Start Checklist

Complete these steps to get set up for success.

Prompting Cheat Sheet

The CLEAR Framework

  • Context — Who you are, what you're working on
  • Length — How long/detailed should the response be
  • Expectations — What format, tone, or style you want
  • Ask — Your specific question or request
  • Restrictions — What to avoid or constraints to follow

Power Phrases

"Act as a..." Set the AI's perspective (tutor, editor, study partner)
"Explain like I'm..." Control complexity level
"Give me X options..." Get multiple alternatives to choose from
"What questions should I ask about..." Generate critical thinking prompts
"What am I missing..." Identify blind spots in your thinking
"Steelman the opposite view..." Get the strongest counterargument

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ "Write my essay about climate change" ✓ "Help me brainstorm 5 thesis angles for an essay about climate policy"
❌ "Explain photosynthesis" ✓ "Explain photosynthesis in 3 bullet points for a biology 101 student"
❌ Accepting first response as final ✓ Follow up: "Can you elaborate on point 2?" or "Make this more concise"

Quick Reference: Best Uses

✓
Great for:

Brainstorming, explaining concepts, outlining, feedback on YOUR writing, practice questions, study guides

⚠️
Use carefully:

Fact-checking (verify independently), citations (always verify sources exist), specialized knowledge

✗
Avoid:

Having AI write your assignments, copying outputs without understanding, using for exams unless allowed

Recommended AI Tools

General Purpose AI

🤖
ChatGPT

Best for: General tasks, coding, creative work

Free / $20/mo
🧠
Claude

Best for: Long documents, nuanced analysis, writing feedback

Free / $20/mo
💎
Gemini

Best for: Research, Google integration, multimodal

Free / $20/mo

Writing & Editing

📝
Grammarly

Grammar, spelling, clarity suggestions

Free / $12/mo
✍️
Hemingway Editor

Readability and clarity analysis

Free online
🔍
QuillBot

Paraphrasing and summarizing

Free / $10/mo

Research & Sources

🔬
Perplexity

AI search with cited sources

Free / $20/mo
📚
Semantic Scholar

Academic paper search with AI summaries

Free
📖
Elicit

AI research assistant for papers

Free / $10/mo

Study & Memorization

🃏
Anki

Spaced repetition flashcards

Free
📱
Quizlet

Flashcards with AI-generated content

Free / $8/mo
🎯
Notion AI

Notes + AI organization

Free / $10/mo

Ethics Quick Reference

✓ Generally OK

  • Brainstorming and ideation
  • Explaining concepts you're learning
  • Getting feedback on YOUR writing
  • Creating study materials
  • Practice questions and quizzes
  • Grammar and spelling checks
  • Outlining and organization help

⚠️ Check First

  • Using AI for any graded work
  • Summarizing assigned readings
  • Editing beyond basic grammar
  • Using AI-suggested sources
  • Collaborative assignments

Always check your syllabus and ask your professor if unsure.

✗ Don't Do

  • Having AI write your assignments
  • Submitting AI output as your own work
  • Using AI during closed-book exams
  • Copying without understanding
  • Citing fake sources from AI