# Pull key facts into a table: checklist

Pull the facts you name out of a text into a table, one row for each item, copying every value as written, quoting where each came from, and marking every fact the text does not give as Not stated.

## Before you start

- [ ] Have ready: The text to read
  Paste the text as it stands. Every value in the table will come from these words and no others.
- [ ] Have ready: The facts to pull out
  List them in the order you want the columns, separated by commas.
- [ ] Have ready: What each row is
  Name the thing the facts are about. There will be one row for each.

## Step 1: List every item

- [ ] Find each item the text is about and quote the words that introduce it, before any fact is pulled out.
- [ ] You have: A table with one row for each item and the passage that names it.
- [ ] Check: Every quote in the Passage (quote) column appears word for word in the text to read.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 2: Pull each fact for each item

- [ ] For every item and every fact the reader named, copy the value as written and quote the words it came from.
- [ ] You have: A table with one row for each item and fact, a value copied as written and the quote it came from, or Not stated.
- [ ] Check: Every quote in the Quote column appears word for word in the text to read.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Step 3: Lay out the table

- [ ] Turn the rows into one table with a row for each item and a column for each fact, without changing a value.
- [ ] You have: One table with a row for each item and a column for each fact, and a line listing what the text does not say.
- [ ] Check: Every number in the answer also appears in the text to read.
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.

## Final checks

- [ ] Check: Compare each Value in the answer with the text below. Is every value written exactly as the text writes it, with no change to a digit, unit or word, is the latest version used where the text corrects itself, and does every row marked Not stated really have no answer in the text? Answer FAIL and quote each row that is wrong.
  Checked by a second AI prompt. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: The answer includes the words "Not stated:".
  A plain rule you can check by eye. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Check the table in the answer against the lists below. Does it have exactly one row for each item in the item list and no other rows, one column for each fact the reader named in that order, and in every cell the same value as the facts table? Answer FAIL and quote any row, column or cell that is wrong.
  Checked by a second AI prompt. If not: Run the step once more, and add what was wrong to the end of the prompt. If it still does not pass, fix it by hand and make a note of it.
- [ ] Check: Open the text and check three cells against it, starting with any date or amount. For each cell marked Not stated, decide whether to ask the person who wrote the text or leave it open. Only you know which facts the table is for.
  Checked by you. If not: Carry on, but write down the problem so whoever uses the result knows about it.

## You end up with

- [ ] A table with a row for each item and a column for each fact you named.
- [ ] A line listing every fact the text does not give.
- [ ] The quote behind every value, in the table from the middle step.

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From Logic Lab (logiclabhq.com). Free to use and adapt, with credit.