Case-Study Discussion Guide Prompt for Study Groups

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Open an ordinary AI chat that accepts text (for example ChatGPT). You do not need a terminal, API or account setup. Copy the full prompt below, paste it into the chat, then paste your scenario and details in the same message or in a follow-up. The prompt covers:

If any item is missing, the prompt asks you for it before continuing.

What this prompt produces

A facilitator-ready discussion guide returned in a fixed order: neutral scenario summary, a "Facts to confirm before discussion" list, 3-4 themes with 6-10 open questions, a timed running order, facilitator guardrails, and a missing-input list. Each open question must point to a specific scenario detail and avoid asking for a diagnosis or legal advice.

Checking the output

• Every open question references a concrete detail from your scenario.
• The fact-check list contains only claims you supplied, with no verdicts.
• The running order totals your stated time limit.
• No invented outside facts appear.
• Guardrails state: discussion only, no diagnosis, no legal advice, uncertain facts stay open.

Limits and privacy

This is a discussion aid, not a diagnosis, legal advice or professional assessment. Outside facts about real people, businesses or legal cases are not added. Avoid pasting confidential or identifying information about real individuals; the scenario text is sent to whichever chat service you use. Any action beyond the discussion (contacting authorities, publishing, advising) needs your own review.

source reviewed; runtime not tested

FAQ

How long should my input be? Long enough to include the facts you want discussed. List separate uncertainties so the fact-check slot stays accurate.

Can it handle contradictory details? Yes. The prompt lists contradictions and asks how you want them treated before it proceeds.

Attribution

Original TokRepo prompt, CC BY 4.0. Reference material: ChatGPT release notes, used as general context only. The complete prompt and its Chinese translation are appended.

Complete reusable prompt

You are helping me prepare a case-study discussion guide for a class or study group. I will paste a scenario, and you will produce a structured guide that a facilitator can use for discussion. You do not make diagnostic, legal, or professional conclusions.

STEP 1 - READ MY INPUT I will provide:

• The scenario text (a situation, incident, or story)
• The subject or course topic
• The audience level (for example: high school, university, adult learners)
• Any discussion time limit
• Any facts I already know are uncertain or missing

If any of these are missing, ask me for them before proceeding. If the scenario contains contradictory facts, list the contradictions and ask how I want them treated. If the scenario mentions real people, businesses or legal cases, do not add outside facts; work only from what I supply.

STEP 2 - FACT-CHECK SLOT Create a section called "Facts to confirm before discussion." List every claim in the scenario that is:

• A number or date
• A quoted statement
• A stated cause or effect
• A legal, medical, or financial assertion For each, write: Claim -> Why it matters -> What source or person could confirm it. Do not assert that any claim is true or false. Do not fill in missing facts yourself.

STEP 3 - OPEN QUESTIONS Write 6-10 open questions grouped under 3-4 themes drawn from the scenario. Each question must:

• Refer to specific details in the scenario
• Invite reasoning, comparison, or perspective-taking
• Not have a single correct answer
• Not ask the learner to diagnose a person or give legal advice After each question, add one sentence explaining what kind of thinking it is meant to draw out.

STEP 4 - DISCUSSION FLOW Produce a short running order with timings that fit my stated limit:

• Warm-up (one question)
• Core themes (two or three questions)
• Fact-check pause (when to review the facts-to-confirm list)
• Closing reflection (one question)
• One optional extension task

STEP 5 - BOUNDARIES AND REVIEW CHECKS Add a section called "Facilitator guardrails" that states:

• This guide is for discussion only, not diagnosis, legal advice, or professional assessment.
• The facilitator should treat uncertain facts as open, not solved.
• Participants should be reminded that they are speaking from limited information.
• Any action outside the discussion (contacting authorities, publishing, advising) requires the facilitator's own review.

STEP 6 - OUTPUT FORMAT Return the guide in this order:

1. Scenario summary (3-5 sentences, neutral tone)
2. Facts to confirm before discussion (table or bullet list)
3. Discussion themes and open questions
4. Timed running order
5. Facilitator guardrails
6. Missing-input list, if anything was unclear

STEP 7 - QUALITY CHECKS Before returning the guide, check:

• Does every open question refer to a specific scenario detail?
• Does any question ask for a diagnosis or legal conclusion? If yes, rewrite it.
• Is the fact-check slot filled only with claims from my text?
• Does the running order fit the stated time limit?
• Are all invented facts removed?

EXAMPLE Fictional input: Scenario: A fictional hospital cafeteria reduces lunch breaks from 60 to 30 minutes to cut costs. Staff complain that patient meal delivery is late. The manager says the change is temporary. Course topic: Workplace scheduling and communication Audience: Adult learners Time limit: 45 minutes Known uncertainty: The manager's claim about the change being temporary is not documented.

Illustrative output shape: Scenario summary: A fictional hospital cafeteria shortens lunch breaks. Staff report late patient meals. A manager calls the change temporary. Facts to confirm: Claim "temporary" -> affects planning -> could be confirmed by written policy or manager statement. Open questions:

• What pressures might lead a manager to shorten breaks without a written plan?
• How could staff and managers compare the cost of shorter breaks with the cost of late meals?
• What information would help both sides judge whether the change is working? Running order: 5 min warm-up, 25 min core, 5 min fact-check, 5 min reflection, 5 min extension. Facilitator guardrails: Discussion only. No diagnosis. No legal advice. Treat uncertain facts as open.

Now wait for my scenario and details. Do not proceed until I provide them.

References and reuse

• ChatGPT release notes

Original TokRepo prompt · CC BY 4.0. Reference documents retain their own rights.