Overview
This prompt guides investigative journalists in creating a structured investigation plan for complex issues. It benefits journalists seeking to enhance their research and reporting skills through a systematic approach.
Prompt Overview
Purpose: This investigation aims to uncover the truth behind the rising rates of homelessness in urban areas.
Audience: The report will target policymakers, community organizations, and the general public concerned about social issues.
Distinctive Feature: Utilizing a dependency grammar framework will clarify relationships between factors contributing to homelessness.
Outcome: The investigation will yield a comprehensive report with actionable insights and recommendations for addressing homelessness.
Quick Specs
- Media: Text
- Use case: Analysis, Arrangement, Content
- Techniques: Decomposition, Role/Persona Prompting, Source-Grounded Verification
- Models: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini AI
- Estimated time: 15-30 minutes
- Skill level: Advanced
Variables to Fill
- [ISSUE] – Issue
- [KEY QUESTION] – Key Question
- [DEADLINE] – Deadline
- [SUBJECTS] – Subjects
- [OBJECTS] – Objects
- [ACTIONS] – Actions
- [RELATIONSHIPS] – Relationships
- [DEPENDENCIES] – Dependencies
- [Source 1] – Source 1
- [Specify documents, databases, reports to obtain] – Specify Documents, Databases, Reports To Obtain
- [Key information to extract] – Key Information To Extract
- [Source 2] – Source 2
- [Identify expert interviews to conduct] – Identify Expert Interviews To Conduct
- [Specific angles to explore] – Specific Angles To Explore
- [Source 3] – Source 3
- [Determine field visits, observations to make] – Determine Field Visits, Observations To Make
- [Particular elements of interest] – Particular Elements Of Interest
- [Source 4] – Source 4
- [Relationships or dependencies to investigate] – Relationships Or Dependencies To Investigate
- [Criterion 1] – Criterion 1
- [Metric to assess source reliability] – Metric To Assess Source Reliability
- [Criterion 2] – Criterion 2
- [Factor to determine information relevance] – Factor To Determine Information Relevance
- [Criterion 3] – Criterion 3
- [Aspect to appraise evidence strength] – Aspect To Appraise Evidence Strength
- [Foundational element] – Foundational Element
- [Relationship] – Relationship
- [Dependent element] – Dependent Element
- [Action] – Action
- [Subject] – Subject
- [Object] – Object
- [Experts, sources] – Experts, Sources
Example Variables Block
- [ISSUE]: Environmental pollution in urban areas
- [KEY QUESTION]: What are the main sources of pollution?
- [DEADLINE]: December 15, 2023
- [SUBJECTS]: Local industries
- [OBJECTS]: Air quality
- [ACTIONS]: Conduct surveys
- [RELATIONSHIPS]: Industries affect air quality
- [DEPENDENCIES]: Pollution levels depend on regulations
- [Source 1]: Environmental Protection Agency reports
- [Specify documents, databases, reports to obtain]: Air quality monitoring data
- [Key information to extract]: Pollution emission statistics
- [Source 2]: Interviews with environmental scientists
- [Identify expert interviews to conduct]: Local environmental activists
- [Specific angles to explore]: Impact of regulations on pollution
- [Source 3]: Field visits to industrial sites
- [Determine field visits, observations to make]: Observe emission control measures
- [Particular elements of interest]: Visible emissions and waste management
- [Source 4]: FOIA requests for industrial permits
- [Relationships or dependencies to investigate]: Permit compliance and pollution levels
- [Criterion 1]: Credibility of the source
- [Metric to assess source reliability]: Peer-reviewed publications
- [Criterion 2]: Relevance to the investigation
- [Factor to determine information relevance]: Direct connection to pollution sources
- [Criterion 3]: Strength of evidence
- [Aspect to appraise evidence strength]: Consistency across multiple sources
- [Foundational element]: Regulatory frameworks
- [Relationship]: influence
- [Dependent element]: pollution levels
- [Action]: Analyze
- [Subject]: pollution data
- [Object]: sources of emissions
- [Experts, sources]: Environmental policy experts
The Prompt
#CONTEXT:
You are an investigative journalist focused on researching and reporting a specific issue. Your task is to create a comprehensive investigation plan that gathers evidence, analyzes information, and builds a compelling narrative using a dependency grammar framework.
#ROLE:
Assume the role of an investigative journalist proficient in comprehensive research, source evaluation, and evidence-based reporting utilizing a dependency grammar framework.
#RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
– Start with a clear objective that states the key question or hypothesis to investigate.
– Deconstruct the issue into its core elements using dependency grammar analysis.
– Identify key subjects, objects, actions, and their relationships.
– Determine critical dependencies between elements to prioritize.
– Formulate specific research questions for each core element.
– Outline a step-by-step plan for information gathering from diverse sources.
– Specify documents, databases, and reports to obtain, along with key information to extract.
– Identify expert interviews to conduct and specific angles to explore.
– Determine field visits and observations to make, focusing on particular elements of interest.
– Specify data analyses, FOIA requests, or other research methods to delve deeper into relationships or dependencies.
– Establish clear criteria for evaluating sources and information.
– Define metrics to assess source reliability, information relevance, and evidence strength.
– Provide guidelines for developing a cohesive narrative based on the evidence gathered.
– Emphasize structuring the narrative around key dependencies identified.
– Highlight the most compelling evidence that advances the narrative.
– Note any gaps that require further investigation.
– Include a fact-checking and review process.
– Scrutinize all claims against evidence.
– Validate interpretations with experts and sources.
– Address inconsistencies or counterarguments.
– Refine the narrative and conclusions as needed.
– Specify deliverables.
#DELIVERABLES:
– In-depth investigative report on the issue.
– Supporting materials (documents, interview transcripts, etc.).
– Methodology and source notes.
#ISSUE CRITERIA:
– The issue should be of public interest or concern.
– There should be potential for uncovering new information or insights.
– The issue should have a clear focal point or question to investigate.
– Diverse sources and types of information should be available for research.
– The issue should lend itself to a narrative structure with key elements and dependencies to explore.
#INFORMATION ABOUT ME:
– My issue to investigate: [ISSUE]
– My key question or hypothesis: [KEY QUESTION]
– My deadline for the investigation: [DEADLINE]
#RESPONSE FORMAT:
Investigation Plan: [ISSUE]
Objective: [KEY QUESTION]
Approach:
– Break down the [ISSUE] into its core elements using dependency grammar analysis:
– Identify key [SUBJECTS], [OBJECTS], [ACTIONS], and their [RELATIONSHIPS].
– Determine critical [DEPENDENCIES] between elements to prioritize.
– Develop specific research questions for each core element.
Information Gathering:
1. [Source 1]: [Specify documents, databases, reports to obtain]
– Focus on uncovering [Key information to extract].
2. [Source 2]: [Identify expert interviews to conduct]
– Aim to gain insights on [Specific angles to explore].
3. [Source 3]: [Determine field visits, observations to make]
– Gather direct evidence related to [Particular elements of interest].
4. [Source 4]: [Specify data analyses, FOIA requests, or other research methods]
– Dig deeper into [Relationships or dependencies to investigate].
Source Evaluation Criteria:
– [Criterion 1]: [Metric to assess source reliability].
– [Criterion 2]: [Factor to determine information relevance].
– [Criterion 3]: [Aspect to appraise evidence strength].
Narrative Development:
– Synthesize evidence gathered to build a cohesive narrative.
– Structure the narrative based on key dependencies identified:
– [Foundational element] that [Relationship] [Dependent element].
– [Action] by [Subject] that impacts [Object].
– Emphasize the most compelling evidence that advances the narrative.
– Note any gaps requiring further investigation.
Fact-Checking and Review:
– Carefully scrutinize all claims against evidence.
– Validate interpretations with [Experts, sources].
– Address any inconsistencies or counterarguments.
– Refine the narrative and conclusions as needed.
Screenshot Examples
How to Use This Prompt
- [ISSUE]: Topic of public interest for investigation.
- [KEY QUESTION]: Central hypothesis guiding the research.
- [SUBJECTS]: Key entities involved in the issue.
- [OBJECTS]: Main elements affected by actions.
- [ACTIONS]: Activities or events relevant to the investigation.
- [DEPENDENCIES]: Relationships between subjects, objects, and actions.
- [Source Evaluation Criteria]: Standards for assessing information quality.
- [Narrative Development]: Process of crafting a compelling story.
Tips for Best Results
- Define Your Objective: Clearly articulate the key question or hypothesis guiding your investigation.
- Break Down the Issue: Use dependency grammar to analyze core elements, identifying subjects, objects, actions, and their relationships.
- Gather Diverse Sources: Collect information from documents, expert interviews, field observations, and data analyses to build a comprehensive view.
- Evaluate and Synthesize: Establish criteria for source reliability, synthesize evidence into a cohesive narrative, and ensure thorough fact-checking throughout the process.
FAQ
- What is the main objective of the investigation?
The main objective is to uncover new insights regarding the specified issue. - How will you break down the issue for analysis?
By identifying key subjects, objects, actions, and their relationships using dependency grammar. - What criteria will you use to evaluate sources?
Reliability, relevance, and strength of evidence will be the main evaluation criteria. - What is the final deliverable of the investigation?
An in-depth investigative report along with supporting materials and methodology notes.
Compliance and Best Practices
- Best Practice: Review AI output for accuracy and relevance before use.
- Privacy: Avoid sharing personal, financial, or confidential data in prompts.
- Platform Policy: Your use of AI tools must comply with their terms and your local laws.
Revision History
- Version 1.0 (December 2025): Initial release.
