AI Homework Prompts

Build a strong thesis and essay structure

I'm writing an essay on [topic] for [subject/class level]. My assignment is: [paste assignment brief].
Help me:
1. Draft 3 possible thesis statements (strong, arguable, specific)
2. For the thesis I choose, outline the main body paragraphs — what argument each should make
3. Identify the counterargument I should address and where it fits in the essay
4. Suggest 2-3 types of evidence I should look for to support each argument
I'll write the essay myself — I just need help with the structure and direction.

Get critical feedback on a draft essay

Here is a draft of my essay on [topic]: [paste draft]
Please give me specific feedback on:
1. Thesis strength — is my argument clear and arguable?
2. Paragraph structure — does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence, evidence, and analysis?
3. Argument logic — are there any weak links or unsupported claims?
4. Evidence use — am I explaining how the evidence supports my argument (not just quoting)?
5. Conclusion — does it synthesise my argument rather than just repeating it?
Point to specific sentences or paragraphs. Be honest — I need to improve this before submission.

Research question and source strategy

I need to research [topic] for a [length]-word assignment for [subject].
Help me:
1. Break the topic into 3-4 sub-questions I need to answer
2. Identify what types of sources would be most credible for each sub-question (academic journals, government reports, primary sources, etc.)
3. Suggest 4-5 search terms I can use in library databases or Google Scholar
4. Explain what makes a source credible vs. unreliable for academic use
5. Flag any common misconceptions about this topic I should be careful not to repeat

Citation and referencing guidance

I need to cite the following source in [Harvard / APA / MLA / Chicago] format:
Source details: [Title, Author, Year, Publisher/Journal, URL if online, Date accessed if online]
Please:
1. Give me the correctly formatted in-text citation
2. Give me the correctly formatted bibliography/reference list entry
3. Explain what information I need if any of the above is missing
4. Tell me the most common mistakes students make with this citation style and how to avoid them

Step-by-step concept explanation

I'm stuck on [maths concept — e.g., "solving simultaneous equations" / "integration by parts" / "probability with Bayes' theorem"].
Please:
1. Explain the concept in plain English before any formulas
2. Walk through one worked example step by step, explaining the reason for each step
3. Point out the most common mistakes students make with this concept
4. Give me a slightly harder practice problem I can try myself (don't solve it — I'll attempt it first)
Level: [GCSE / A-Level / University first year]

Check my working and explain my mistake

I attempted this maths problem but I think my answer is wrong. Can you check my working?
Problem: [paste the problem]
My working: [paste your attempt step by step]
My answer: [your answer]
Please:
1. Tell me which step I went wrong on (don't just give me the answer)
2. Explain why that step was wrong conceptually
3. Guide me to correct it rather than doing it for me
4. If my method was right but I made an arithmetic error, confirm that

Break down a complex word problem

I'm struggling to know how to start this word problem: [paste the problem]
Help me by:
1. Identifying what the problem is actually asking me to find
2. Listing the information given and what variables to assign
3. Suggesting which mathematical concept or formula applies here
4. Outlining the approach without solving it — I want to attempt it myself first
5. Asking me a question that will help me think through the first step

Generate practice problems by difficulty

I'm revising [maths topic] for an upcoming [exam name/level] exam.
Please create 5 practice problems on this topic:
- 2 at a basic/straightforward level
- 2 at a medium difficulty (applying the concept in a slightly different context)
- 1 at a challenging level (multi-step or requires combining concepts)
Don't give me the answers yet — I'll attempt them and then ask you to mark my work.
After I've tried them, give me the mark scheme with worked solutions.

Structure a science lab report

I need to write a lab report for the following experiment: [describe experiment briefly].
My results: [paste or describe your data/observations]
Help me structure this report with guidance for each section:
1. Title: what makes a good lab report title?
2. Hypothesis: how do I write a testable hypothesis in "if...then...because" format?
3. Method: what level of detail do I need for reproducibility?
4. Results: how should I present this type of data (table, graph, both)?
5. Analysis: how do I connect my results to my hypothesis?
6. Evaluation: how do I discuss sources of error and limitations?
7. Conclusion: what's the difference between conclusion and analysis?

Explain a difficult science concept

I'm struggling to understand [science concept] in [Biology / Chemistry / Physics].
Can you:
1. Explain it in plain English without jargon first
2. Use an analogy that makes it intuitive (comparing it to something familiar in everyday life)
3. Explain why this concept matters — what does it help us understand or do?
4. Describe what's happening at the molecular/atomic/particle level (if relevant)
5. Give me 2 exam-style questions on this topic so I can test my understanding
Level: [GCSE / A-Level / Year 9-10]

Analyse science experiment data

I ran an experiment and collected the following data: [paste your data table]
Please help me:
1. Identify the trend or pattern in the data
2. Suggest the most appropriate graph type and explain what goes on each axis
3. Point out any anomalous results and explain possible causes
4. Calculate [specific value — e.g., mean, percentage change, rate of reaction] and show the working
5. Suggest what this data tells us in relation to the original hypothesis
6. Identify the main sources of error that could have affected my results

Science exam question technique

Here is an exam question from [subject] at [level]: [paste question]
Here is my answer: [paste your answer]
Please mark it against what a model answer would include:
1. What did I get right?
2. What key points did I miss?
3. Are there command words in the question (describe, explain, evaluate, compare) I didn't respond to correctly?
4. How would a top-grade answer differ from mine?
5. Write the first 2 sentences of a model answer to show me the opening structure

Analyse a text for literary devices

Here is a passage from [book/poem/play] by [author]: [paste passage]
Please help me analyse it by identifying:
1. Literary devices used (metaphor, simile, imagery, foreshadowing, irony, etc.) — give specific examples
2. What effect each device creates on the reader
3. How the language connects to the theme of [theme you're studying]
4. What the author's likely purpose is in this passage
5. How this passage relates to the character development or plot at this point
I'll write the analysis myself — I need help spotting the devices and understanding their significance.

Grammar explanation and practice

I'm learning [French / Spanish / German / other language] and I'm confused about [grammar concept — e.g., "the subjunctive tense" / "reflexive verbs" / "adjectival agreement"].
Please:
1. Explain the rule in plain English
2. Show me 5 simple example sentences with the grammar highlighted
3. Explain the most common mistake English speakers make with this grammar point
4. Give me 5 sentences where I have to fill in the correct form (give them to me as a quiz)
5. Tell me the key trigger phrases or situations that signal I need to use this grammar

Poetry analysis framework

I need to analyse this poem for a [GCSE / A-Level / class] assignment: [paste poem or title/author]
Walk me through analysis using the SMILE / SOAPSTONE framework (or the one my school uses):
- Structure: form, stanzas, line length, enjambment
- Meaning: what the poem is about on the surface and deeper levels
- Imagery: key images and their effect
- Language: word choice, tone, patterns
- Effect on reader: emotional impact

For each element, ask me what I notice first so I can try before you explain. Don't just give me the full analysis — guide me through it.

Close reading question technique

Here is a reading comprehension question for the following text: [paste text excerpt]
Question: [paste the question]
My answer: [paste your attempt]
Feedback I need:
1. Did I answer what the question actually asked?
2. Did I use evidence from the text (direct quotes or references)?
3. Did I explain the effect of the evidence, or just quote it?
4. What additional point could I make to get a higher mark?
5. For inference questions — am I reading between the lines enough, or too much?

Personalised revision schedule

I have the following exams coming up: [list subjects and dates]
My weakest areas are: [list topics you find hardest]
Available study time: [hours per day / week]
Time until first exam: [number of days/weeks]

Create a revision schedule that:
1. Prioritises weak topics without ignoring strong ones
2. Builds in spaced repetition (revisiting topics multiple times over time)
3. Alternates subjects to avoid fatigue
4. Includes past paper practice in the final week
5. Leaves time for rest (overloading doesn't help retention)
Format it as a weekly plan I can follow.

Convert notes into active recall practice

Here are my notes on [topic]: [paste your notes]
Convert them into active recall study materials:
1. 10 flashcard-style questions (question on front, answer on back) covering the key facts
2. 3 open-ended questions that require me to explain a concept in my own words
3. A concept map outline showing how the main ideas connect
4. 2 exam-style questions that test application of the concepts
5. A "5-minute summary" of the topic I can read to quickly refresh my memory before the exam
I'll use these to test myself rather than just re-reading the notes.

General exam technique guidance

I'm preparing for [subject] at [level — GCSE/A-Level/University]. Help me with exam technique:
1. Time management: how should I allocate time across questions?
2. Long-answer questions: what structure should I use? (PEEL, PEA, etc.)
3. Multiple-choice: what strategies help when I'm not sure of an answer?
4. Calculation questions: how do I show working to maximise marks even if my final answer is wrong?
5. The 3 most common mistakes students make in this subject's exams, and how to avoid them
6. How to use reading time (if applicable) effectively

Diagnose and address a knowledge gap

I keep getting [specific topic] wrong in practice papers. My understanding is: [describe what you think you know].
Please:
1. Ask me 5 diagnostic questions to pinpoint exactly where my misunderstanding is
2. After I answer them, identify the specific gap in my knowledge
3. Re-explain the concept focusing on the part I'm getting wrong
4. Give me a different analogy or approach than the one in my textbook
5. Create 3 very targeted practice questions on just the part I find hardest

The goal is to turn this weak spot into something I'm confident about.