Instructions

 Locate the Paper 1 topic on your role sheet. In the space below write 2-3 sentences about the topic your Paper 1 is supposed to address.

What is the unstated difficulty of electing the upper house of the national legislature by state legislatures, as proposed by Resolution 4 of the Virginia Plan?

2. Initial Prompt Creation: In the space below write an initial prompt for an AI model to create an essay on your first paper topic.

Write a two-page essay that analyzes the potential problems with electing the upper house of the national legislature by state legislatures, as proposed by Resolution 4 of the Virginia Plan?

3. AI Interaction: Input the initial prompt into one or more of the available AI models (Bing Chat, Claude 2, ChatGPT). Post below the first two paragraphs of essay generated by the AI model.

The Virginia Plan was integral to the discussions that shaped the current structure of the United States government. Resolution 4’s proposal to have state legislatures elect the upper house was controversial and brought about a series of debates. This essay will explore the potential problems associated with this proposal, including issues related to representation, potential corruption, and the potential erosion of the separation of powers.

Disproportional Representation: The proposal could lead to disproportional representation if larger and more populous states were given the same number of representatives as smaller states. The concerns over representation were significant during the Constitutional Convention, as states with differing populations sought equitable representation in the national legislature (Madison, J., “The Federalist No. 39”).

4. Prompt Reworking: Based on the AI’s response, rework the initial prompt four times, aiming to improve clarity, specificity, and persuasiveness. Post below each reworked prompt that was used along with the first two paragraphs of the essay it generated.

(1) Rewrite the previous output as if it had been written by John Langdon, a moderate nationalist from New Hampshire who attended the Constitutional Convention. Replace the headings and colons with better transitions and thesis sentences.

In these times of great change, where our new nation seeks to find its footing, the Virginia Plan has become a subject of significant debate. The proposal that members of the first branch of the national legislature be elected by the state legislatures is particularly noteworthy. While it presents certain merits, there are also substantial concerns that need addressing.

One of the central concerns revolves around representation. We must carefully consider how this proposal might lead to disproportional representation, particularly if larger states were given the same number of representatives as smaller states. Our Union’s strength lies in equitable representation, and we must not lose sight of the principle of popular sovereignty. A disconnect between the national representatives and the people they represent would be a severe blow to the very foundations of our democratic ideals.

(2) Paraphrase and incorporate the following remarks into the previous output, “Mr. King reminded the Committee that the choice of the second branch as proposed by the State Legislatures would be impracticable, unless it was to be very numerous, or the idea of proportion among the States was to be disregarded. According to this idea, there must be 80 or 100 members to entitle Delaware to the choice of one of them.”

In these times of great change, where our new nation seeks to find its footing, the Virginia Plan has become a subject of significant debate. The proposal that members of the first branch of the national legislature be elected by the state legislatures is particularly noteworthy. While it presents certain merits, there are also substantial concerns that need addressing.

One of the central concerns revolves around representation, a matter Mr. King astutely reminded the Committee of during our discussions. He expressed that the choice of the second branch, as proposed by the State Legislatures, would be impracticable unless it was to be very numerous, or the idea of proportion among the States was to be disregarded. According to his understanding, there must be 80 or 100 members to entitle Delaware to the choice of one of them. This insight underscores the potential for disproportional representation, particularly if larger states were given the same number of representatives as smaller states. Our Union’s strength lies in equitable representation, and we must not lose sight of the principle of popular sovereignty. A disconnect between the national representatives and the people they represent would be a severe blow to the very foundations of our democratic ideals.

(3) Remove references to Mr. King from the previous output and have John Langdon treat these like his original ideas.

In these times of great change, where our new nation seeks to find its footing, the Virginia Plan has become a subject of significant debate. The proposal that members of the first branch of the national legislature be elected by the state legislatures is particularly noteworthy. While it presents certain merits, there are also substantial concerns that need addressing.

One of the central concerns revolves around representation. I must express that the choice of the second branch, as proposed by the State Legislatures, would be impracticable unless it was to be very numerous, or the idea of proportion among the States was to be disregarded. According to this understanding, there must be 80 or 100 members to entitle Delaware to the choice of one of them. This insight underscores the potential for disproportional representation, particularly if larger states were given the same number of representatives as smaller states. Our Union’s strength lies in equitable representation, and we must not lose sight of the principle of popular sovereignty. A disconnect between the national representatives and the people they represent would be a severe blow to the very foundations of our democratic ideals.

(4) Paraphrase and incorporate the following remarks into the previous output, “if the motion should be agreed to, we must either depart from the doctrine of proportional representation; or admit into the Senate a very large number of members. The first is inadmissable, being evidently unjust. The second is inexpedient. The use of the Senate is to consist in its proceeding with more coolness, with more system, & with more wisdom, than the popular branch. Enlarge their number and you communicate to them the vices which they are meant to correct. Their importance would be in an inverse ratio to their number. When the weight of a set of men depends merely on their personal characters; the greater the number the greater the weight. When it depends on the degree of political authority lodged in them the smaller the number the greater the weight. These considerations might perhaps be combined in the intended Senate; but the latter was the material one.”

In these times of great change, where our new nation seeks to find its footing, the Virginia Plan has become a subject of significant debate. The proposal that members of the first branch of the national legislature be elected by the state legislatures is particularly noteworthy. While it presents certain merits, there are also substantial concerns that need addressing.

One of the central concerns revolves around representation, and I must draw attention to a critical aspect of this proposal. If the motion to elect the second branch by State Legislatures should be agreed to, we must either depart from the doctrine of proportional representation or admit into the Senate a very large number of members. The first option is inadmissible, being evidently unjust. The second is inexpedient. The use of the Senate is to proceed with more coolness, more system, and more wisdom than the popular branch. Enlarge their number, and you communicate to them the vices they are meant to correct. Their importance would be in an inverse ratio to their number.