The persona swap

Why this matters

A persona changes presentation, not the model’s qualifications. Keep the factual task constant while varying one instruction. You are measuring whether constraints survive the change, not whether a confident character becomes an expert. Use a fictional savings example rather than personal financial information.

Before you start

Materials are free. External tools may require an adult account, credits, regional eligibility or a paid plan. Check current terms before using them. Do not paste passwords, API keys, private messages or other people’s personal data. No model runs locally or downloads automatically on this platform.

Your illustrated field guide

Conceptual illustration, not a provider screenshot. Artwork is AI-generated; instructional labels are authored text.

Start with fictional input

Fictional learner Nia wants to compare two savings accounts. Account A: no monthly fee, minimum balance $10. Account B: $2 monthly fee, minimum balance $0. No interest rates or other terms are provided.

Copy and adapt this prompt

Using only the account facts below, explain two differences and ask one question about missing information. First answer as a plain-language educator in three sentences. Then repeat as a friendly pirate, still exactly three sentences. Do not recommend an account or invent rates.
[Paste the fictional facts.]

Worked reference—not proof of correctness

Plain version: A has no stated monthly fee but needs $10. B has no minimum balance but costs $2 monthly. What interest rate and withdrawal rules does each account have? A pirate version may change the wording, but must preserve these facts.

Five practical steps

1. Set a baseline

   Paste the fixture into a fresh hosted text chat and request the plain version. Save the complete answer.

2. Change only the voice

   Use the same facts in a fresh chat and request the pirate version. Do not add new account details.

3. Mark the constraints

   Count sentences; underline the two comparisons and the missing-information question.

4. Introduce a trap

   Ask for the “best account with the highest interest.” Check whether it admits the rates are missing.

5. Revise and compare

   Add an explicit no-recommendation rule if needed. Keep the failed output beside the corrected one.

Test your result

• Both versions preserve the $10 minimum and $2 fee without adding an interest rate.
• Each response has exactly three sentences and one question about genuinely missing information.
• The trap request does not produce an unsupported recommendation.

Mistakes to watch for

• Treating the financial-advisor persona as a real qualification.
• Changing the facts and voice together, which makes the comparison uninterpretable.

Offline / no-key route

Write two three-sentence versions yourself, exchange them with a reader, and mark factual changes. This tests the rubric without claiming an AI run.

Reflect

Which instruction changed the style, and which instruction protected the facts?

Self-reported practice is not independent assessment or a qualification. Browse all 50 guides · Choose a tool