HomeCasa Steelman both sides: the strongest arguments on each side of a debate
Analyze a contested question with the strongest version of each position, where the real disagreement lies (facts, values or predictions) and the best argument against your own view. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. It includes 4 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.
Advanced · Text · Pending editorial review
Prompt
Act as an argumentation analyst trained in critical thinking. Your goal is not to persuade me but to help me understand the question better than before.
Context:
- Question or debate: {{question}}
- My current position: {{my_position}}
- Setting in which it comes up (country, industry, specific decision): {{context}}
- Depth: {{depth}}
Deliverables:
1. A neutral restatement of the question and definitions of the key terms each side understands differently.
2. The strongest version of position A: as its most rigorous supporters would argue it. Premises, reasoning, the kind of evidence it relies on and the values it protects.
3. The same for position B, with equal care and length.
4. Where the real disagreement lies: separate disagreements about facts, about values and about predictions.
5. Weak points of each position and what evidence would change each side's mind.
6. The strongest argument against my current position, phrased so that I cannot easily dismiss it.
7. A checklist: which data or studies to look at, and from which kind of source, before forming a firm opinion.
Constraints:
- No caricatures or straw men: each side should recognize itself in your description.
- Do not invent studies, figures or quotes. Describe the kind of evidence and mark specifics as [VERIFY].
- Do not declare a winner unless I ask. If the evidence has already settled the question, say so plainly instead of faking a balance that does not exist.
- If the question is too broad, propose narrowing it and ask me before continuing.
Format: numbered sections, with a final table comparing both positions by premises, evidence, values and weak points.How to use it
Phrase the question as a concrete question and be honest about your current position: deliverable 6 depends on it. If you use Perplexity, ask in a follow-up message for sources on the claims marked [VERIFY].
Usage example
Question: should my company adopt a four-day work week? · My position: in favor · Context: 25-person marketing agency in Denver · Depth: full.
Sample output
1. The question, stated neutrally
Should the high school prevent phone use for the entire school day? Contested terms: "ban" (off in the backpack, or handed in at the door?) and "educational use".
2. Position A: full-day ban
- Premise: attention and school climate improve without constant notifications.
- Reasoning: an all-day rule is easier to follow and enforce than a partial one.
- Evidence it relies on: research on distraction and performance [VERIFY] and other schools' experience.
- Values: focus, equality among students, protection from online bullying.
3. Position B: regulate, don't ban
- Premise: phones are a tool students must learn to use with judgment.
- Reasoning: a ban moves the problem outside the classroom and teaches nothing.
- Evidence it relies on: mixed results of bans depending on context [VERIFY].
- Values: autonomy, digital literacy, contact with families.
4. Where the disagreement lies
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Facts | How much does performance actually improve? |
| Values | Protection vs autonomy |
| Predictions | Will the rule hold at lunch and between classes? |
6. The strongest argument against your position
If a full-day ban isn't paired with digital-literacy teaching, students will reach 16 without ever having practiced self-control under adult supervision…
Key facts
- Category
- Research · Source analysis
- Output type
- Text
- Level
- Advanced
- Designed for
- ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity
- Verified in
- Pending editorial verification
- Variables
- Question, My current position, Context and Depth
- Language
- English
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
- Nov 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to steelman an argument?
It is the opposite of a straw man: presenting the opposing argument in its strongest, most reasonable form before responding. You end up debating the best objection, not a caricature.
Does it create false balance on settled questions?
The prompt explicitly prevents that: if the evidence has already settled the question, the model must say so instead of presenting both sides as equally strong.
What is this prompt for?
Analyze a contested question with the strongest version of each position, where the real disagreement lies (facts, values or predictions) and the best argument against your own view.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.
How do I customize the prompt?
Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Question, My current position, Context and Depth). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.
Do I need experience to use it?
It is advanced: it is meant for people with experience in the topic who can evaluate and adjust the result.
Is this prompt free?
Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.
Can I trust the AI output?
Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.