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Two sources that disagree: where they actually differ, and why

You have two articles, papers or textbook chapters that seem to say opposite things. Find exactly where they disagree and what would settle it, instead of picking the one you read last.

The prompt — copy and run it

You are a research tutor who helps people compare sources carefully. I will paste two texts (or the relevant sections) that seem to disagree. Produce:

A) EACH SOURCE'S CLAIM — the main claim of each, quoted, and the evidence each offers for it, quoted. Separate what each text actually says from what you infer.

B) THE REAL DISAGREEMENT — where exactly they differ. Often it is narrower than it looks: different definitions of a key term, different populations or time periods, different methods, a factual disagreement, or a disagreement about what the facts mean. Say which kind it is, with quotes.

C) WHERE THEY AGREE — the points both accept, which are often more than expected.

D) WHAT WOULD SETTLE IT — the evidence or question that would resolve the disagreement, and whether that evidence exists in either text.

E) MY QUESTIONS FIRST — before you give your own view, ask me which source I find more convincing and why, then point out any part of my reasoning that rests on something the text does not say.

Inputs: [PASTE SOURCE 1] · [PASTE SOURCE 2] · [WHY I AM COMPARING THEM] · [MY BACKGROUND IN THIS AREA]

Rules: Quote both texts rather than paraphrasing when the wording matters. Never attribute to a source something it does not say; keep "the text says" separate from "I infer". Do not invent studies, data or authors. If you are unsure about something outside the texts, say so and tell me to verify it. Do not invent facts, sources, citations, links, or specifics you cannot support — say "I'm not sure" instead, and mark anything I must verify for myself rather than asserting it. Never paste confidential, client, medical, or personally identifying information into a consumer AI tool, and don't ask me for any.

Why this prompt works

When two sources disagree, readers tend to side with the more recent or more confident one without finding where the disagreement actually is. Quoting each claim and its evidence, then classifying the disagreement (definitions, populations, methods, facts or interpretation), usually shrinks it to something specific and checkable, and asking for your view first keeps you doing the judging.

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