Counterfactual prompting asks "what if things had been different?"—what if a key event hadn't happened, or a person had chosen differently—to reveal how much that factor actually shaped outcomes. It's a way of moving beyond surface-level causation to understand which variables truly matter.
Counterfactual prompting asks an AI to explore what would have happened if a key variable changed, such as how history shifts if a treaty fails or how an argument collapses if a core assumption is false.
This technique sharpens the analytical writing skills that upper-division courses reward, because it forces you to understand causation and contingency rather than just summarize what did happen or what is currently argued.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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