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Generative AI and ChatGPT

About this Guide

This guide is intended to help you plan your assignments using Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. It provides tips on how to write effective prompts to generate detailed outlines and schedules to help you plan your time and understand how to approach assignments. Tools such as ChatGPT can generate customized assignment plans based on your specific needs, the topic and type of assignment, and your deadlines. 

CLEAR Framework for Prompt Engineering

The CLEAR Framework, developed by academic librarian Dr. Leo S. Lo, provides guidelines for effective prompt engineering. Prompt engineering is the process of writing the inputs we use to give AI tools instructions on what to generate. It means thinking deeply about how we construct the instructions or inputs we give to AI tools. This involves understanding how to phrase your question or query when entering it into a tool such as Chat GPT. Following the CLEAR framework can help the output we receive from Generative AI tools be as relevant to the prompt as possible. 

CLEAR Framework: 

  • Concise: Keep prompts clear without excess information. Make it specific and try to pinpoint exactly what it is you're looking for. 
    • Example:
      • Too Much Information: Can you provide me with a detailed plan and schedule to write my assignment on the relationship between mass incarceration and election outcomes?
      • Concise: Create a detailed schedule for a 20-page undergraduate research paper on mass incarceration and election outcomes. Assume I have two weeks to finish, starting today and ending on October 22, 2024. 
  • Logical: Make sure that the information you provide in the prompt flows logically. Each piece of information you provide should flow naturally from what comes before.  
    • Example: List the steps to write a lab report, beginning with understanding the assignment and planning the report structure, and ending with writing the title and abstract and revising and submitting the final draft. Provide estimates of how much time each step should take, assuming I can only spend six hours on the report. 
  • Explicit: Be as clear as possible in what you're looking for. Give the tool precise instructions; if you would like list format, paragraph form, or a different format, make sure you make this clear in your prompt. 
    • Example: 
      • Not explicit: Can you tell me how to get started writing my assignment?
      • Explicit: List the steps to write a 10-page research paper on land-based education practices in British Columbia. Include a breakdown of how much time to spend on each step, assuming I can spend a maximum of 10 hours on the paper and have from October 9 until October 20 to finish. 
  • Adaptive: Be open to experimenting with your prompt based on the results generated.
    • Example: If the original prompt to help you plan your assignment leads to a response where the order of steps doesn't make sense, or the time estimates are unrealistic, consider revising your prompt to allow the AI tool to adjust accordingly. Try giving it more parameters, such as adding dates and deadlines, the amount of time you're willing to spend, or listing the order of steps you think are important. 
  • Reflective: It's important to never take an AI tool's output at complete face value. Even if the results look good on a surface level, make sure you're evaluating the output. 
    • Example: After receiving a response on how to write a lab report, evaluate the response: will following all these steps lead to you meeting all your assignment requirements? Is there anything missing? Are the time estimates given realistic to how you work, or should you revise the prompt? Generative AI output is always a starting point for you to do your own thinking and evaluating. 

As you go about implementing GenAI tools to help plan your assignments, try to keep this framework in mind when writing prompts. Consider experimenting a few times and refining the prompt until the results make sense given the type of assignment, its length, and your deadlines. Consider copying the AI-generated plan onto a separate document and finetuning it with your own ideas and notes. 

Example Prompts

As you are writing your prompts, try to remember the CLEAR Framework and make your inputs Concise, Logical, Explicit, Adaptive, and Reflective. 

Below are some example prompts you can use as starting points. Try customizing these prompts based on your needs and entering them into ChatGPT or a similar tool. Remember that you might need to adjust the prompt for better results, and always evaluate the output to make sure it serves for your needs and makes sense. 

  • Create a detailed schedule for a [page number or word count] undergraduate research paper on [topic]. Assume I have [amount of time before deadline] to finish, starting today and ending on [submission deadline]. Include tips on time management and reminders to take breaks throughout the schedule. 
  • Create a list of tasks to complete a [page number or word count] research paper on [topic] by [submission deadline]. Make estimates of how long each task should take assuming I can only spend a total of [number of hours] on this paper. 
  • Create a schedule in table form for a [page number of word count] undergraduate research paper on [topic], assuming I can only spend [number of hours] on this assignment and will finish by [deadline]. Start with understanding the assignment and finish with making revisions and submitting.

Try customizing these templates to prompt GenAI tools to help you plan your lab reports. 

  • List the steps to write a lab report, beginning with understanding the assignment and planning the report structure, and ending with writing the title and abstract and revising and submitting the final draft. Assume I have already completed the experiment. Provide estimates of how much time each step should take, assuming I can only spend [number of hours] on the report. 
  • Provide a detailed schedule to finish my lab report if I start today and submit by [date] and can only spend [number of hours] on this report. Assuming I completed the experiment during class, begin with understanding the assignment and planning the report structure and end with writing the title and abstract and revising and submitting the final draft. 

Always evaluate the output to make sure that timelines are realistic and that you will meet all assignment requirements by following the steps outlined by the AI tool. 

Try the following template to get started with using Generative AI tools for assignment planning: 

  • Provide a detailed list of tasks to complete a [assignment type and topic] if I start on [Date] and need to submit by [Date], assuming I can only spend a maximum of [number of hours] total on this assignment. Include tips on managing my time throughout and reminders to take breaks. 
  • Create a detailed schedule in table form for me to complete my [assignment] on [topic] if I start on [date] and need to submit by [date], assuming I can spend a total of [number of hours] on this assignment. Include a column on key university services that could help me with each stage of my assignment. 

Chat GPT and similar tools may not have accurate information about the types of support services offered at UBC. See the section below on UBC Resources for Assignment Help for a guide to UBC support services. 

Tools like ChatGPT can process a lot of information very quickly. You can combine multiple assignments into one prompt, and ask the tool to create a schedule for both. Try the templates below: 

  • Act as a learning strategist and create a detailed schedule for the next two weeks to complete a 10-page research paper on representations of climate change in Indigenous literature and a 15-minute presentation on the rise of microtrends in fast fashion. Assume I can only spend 4 hours per day working on both of these assignments and create a schedule that allows me to alternate between both assignments frequently. 
  • Provide a list of tasks to complete a lab report and revise for a midterm in the next week. Include time estimates of how long I should be spending on each task and include tips on how to manage my time, assuming I can dedicate five hours to the lab report and four hours for revising for my midterm.

You can use the AI tool's output to create blocks in your calendar, or handwrite a visual schedule that works for you. The key is remembering to read the AI tool's output carefully to make sure you aren't missing any steps and that you will still meet all your assignment requirements. 

 

Here's an example prompt that could help you get started with understanding the writing and research process for a thesis. 

  • I am a graduate student in the [discipline] faculty at the University of British Columbia and am getting started with writing my thesis. Act as a thesis advisor and provide a list of the stages of the research and writing process, including a break down of specific tasks, to finish my thesis if I start today and finish in [month & year]. Include a timeline of when I should be accomplishing each stage of the research and writing process. Within each stage of the thesis process, include advice about the key times when I should be seeking advice from university support services for writing, tutoring, and library research. 

Remember to evaluate the AI's output to make sure it matches up with your expected thesis timeline, and consult with your supervisor or advisor to help you plan your thesis. 

Assignment Planning: Steps

Here are the typical steps for writing a research paper. Not all of these steps must be completed in this order. You can use these steps to ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT to help plan your assignment, or use them to verify an AI tool's output to make sure that it hasn't missed any important steps. 

  1. Understand the assignment
  2. Select the topic and identify the audience of your paper
  3. Find your sources
  4. Critically read, summarize, and evaluate sources
    • Creating citations should be an ongoing process alongside your research. It's best to get started on this early in the process. 
  5. Write your thesis statement and outline
  6. Write the introduction
  7. Continue writing the first draft
  8. Revise and complete, including checking your citations for completeness. 

Here are the typical steps for writing a lab report. Not all of these steps must be completed in this order. You can use these steps to ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT to help plan your assignment, or use them to verify an AI tool's output to make sure that it hasn't missed any important steps. 

  1. Understand the assignment and complete the experiment
  2. Plan the lab report structure
  3. Write the materials and methods sections
  4. Write up the results
  5. Find sources for the background and context of the lab report
    • Citation should be an ongoing part of your report writing process. Make note of which sources you consult and start crafting your citations early! 
  6. Write the introduction
  7. Write the discussion and conclusion sections
  8. Review the in-text citations and reference list
  9. Write the title and abstract
  10. Revision and peer review 

UBC Resources for Assignment Help

Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication

Find workshops and book one-on-one consultations to get help with academic writing, including crafting a compelling research story and understanding academic writing and citation practices.

When to reach out:

Chapman Learning Commons

Borrow technology from the Chapman Learning Commons Help Desk on Level 3 of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and access academic and wellness support from peers anytime on our website. 

When to reach out:

  • During the planning stage, access student-created tutorials to understand the writing process and hone your academic skills. 
  • Throughout the assignment process: The CLC provides free access to technology equipment for students. Students can borrow laptops, headphones, and other items that can be useful throughout the assignment process. 

Research Commons

The Research Commons, on Levels 4 and 5 of Koerner Library, offers consultations, workshops, and study spaces. Workshops include topics such as citation management, including using tools like Zotero and Mendeley, as well as sessions on data analysis and management. You can request to book personalized assistance via a one-on-one consultation. 

Centre for Accessibility

The Centre for Accessibility, located in Brock Commons, can help with disability-related accommodations to remove barriers for disabled students and students dealing with ongoing medical conditions. The CfA has learning strategists who work directly with students. 

Student Learning Hub

The Student Learning Hub provides free learning supports and resources (including tutors for math, sciences, languages, and writing, as well as help with online study skills and learning strategies) for all undergraduate students from all disciplines and year levels.

We encourage you to visit the Hub early and often to make the most of your learning journey!

Centre for Scholarly Communication

The Centre for Scholarly Communication functions as an information hub for research support services at UBCO. Attend workshops or consultations related to writing support, conference presentations, copyright, and more. 

Disability Resource Centre

The Disability Resource Centre works with students to determine accommodations to advance access and inclusion for disable students. Accessibility advisors are available for 15-minute, confidential drop-ins, both in person and on Zoom.  

AskAway

Live chat with a librarian from across British Columbia. This is best for quick questions or questions during hours when your library is closed. For example, you might ask how to access a certain article through UBC Library, or advice on how to cite a webpage with no date listed. 

Subject Librarians

Search for a subject librarian for your research topic or discipline. Subject librarians have specialized knowledge of their discipline, including search strategies, approaches to research, and key authors. They can get you started with citations, refining your research question, maximizing your search strategy, identifying keywords for your topic, and more. 

Research Guides

UBC Library provides many research guides which can be browsed independently at any time. These provide links to key resources in your subject, including important books or articles, prominent databases to use to search for sources, and tips on how to search. 

Citation Guides

UBC Library's How to Cite Guide walks you through citation elements, style guides, and citation management tools. We also have guides for each of the major citation styles, including examples of in-text and reference list citations. 

Library Skills Tutorial 

The Library Skills Tutorial is a Canvas course designed to give you all the core skills needed to get started with using the library for your research at university. 

Additional Tools