Question suggestions
Question suggestions help users move from passive reading to active inquiry. They give a starting point when a source or project is open but the user is not yet sure what to ask.
Why suggestions exist
A blank chat box is deceptively hard. Research questions need the right level of specificity: broad enough to be useful, narrow enough for evidence retrieval.
Suggestions demonstrate the kinds of questions Atlas is suited for:
- What is the source claiming?
- What evidence supports the claim?
- What are the limitations?
- How does this source compare with another?
- What should I read next?
What makes a useful suggestion
A useful suggestion points toward evidence. It should ask about claims, definitions, methods, findings, limitations, contradictions, or comparisons.
Weak suggestions are generic. Strong suggestions mention the source, topic, method, population, finding, or debate that matters.
| Weak suggestion | Stronger suggestion |
|---|---|
| "Summarize this." | "What are the paper's main claims and what evidence supports each one?" |
| "Explain this topic." | "How does this source define the key concept, and where does that definition appear?" |
| "Is this useful?" | "What parts of this source are most relevant to my project question?" |
How to use suggestions
Treat suggestions as editable drafts. Before submitting one, make it more specific:
- add the source name
- mention the section or page
- ask for citations
- specify whether web search is allowed
- name the output format you need.
The first answer should often lead to a second, sharper question.
Limits
Suggestions are only as good as the available context. A new or thin project will produce broader suggestions. A project with processed sources, notes, and clear titles can support more specific suggestions.
Do not assume a suggested question is the best question. It is a starting point for exploration.
Good follow-up pattern
- Use a suggestion to get oriented.
- Open the citations.
- Identify the strongest or weakest claim.
- Ask a narrower follow-up.
- Save the verified takeaway in a note.