Prompt bank: useful friction instead of a finished answer
Practicum for Chapter 8, "Cognitive Debt," and Volume 2, Chapter 7, "Children." Version: 2026-07-03. This is not a list of 100 prompts. It is one principle with examples. The left column hands the thinking to the machine. The right column keeps some effort with you. Each pair explains what it trains.
Core examples from Chapter 8
| Hands over the skill | Trains the skill | Why it trains |
|---|---|---|
| "Write a reply to the customer" | "Give me three tone options and the tradeoffs of each. I will choose." | You keep judgment and taste |
| "Draw a conclusion from this table" | "Show me two hypotheses and where the data does not support them" | You check instead of accepting the answer |
| "Solve the problem" | "Explain two approaches. I will choose one and finish it." | You remain the author of the solution |
| "Write the code" | "Sketch the structure and mark the places where errors are likely" | You understand what you run |
| "Write the strategy" | "Ask me five questions that must be answered before a strategy can be built" | The thinking stays with you |
More examples by task type
This section changes as the tools change.
Writing and analysis: Use "Challenge my draft as a skeptic" instead of "Rewrite this for me." Use "Which sources could disprove this?" instead of "Confirm this."
Code: Use "Where will this break under load?" instead of "Optimize it." Use "Explain this line" instead of "Just fix it."
Decisions and strategy: Use "Argue against my plan" instead of "Approve it." Use "What did I miss?" instead of "Make a plan."
Learning something new: Use "Give me a problem that checks whether I understood" instead of "Explain it again." Or say, "Guide me with questions. Do not give me the answer right away."
Every useful prompt should say which effort stays with the human. If the answer is "none," you have not added friction. You have only asked for the same finished answer in different words. Add your best new prompts at the top and include a short note explaining what each one trains.
Back: AI mode audit | Chapter 8 Practicum | AI tutor training mode for children. Version: 2026-07-03.