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SHRINESHRINE

Self-Critique

Built-in quality check.

The Pattern

Section titled “The Pattern”

After generating output, prompt the same or a follow-up call to critique the output against specific criteria, then revise based on findings.

When to Use

Section titled “When to Use”
  • Quality-sensitive outputs
  • When you can articulate what “good” looks like
  • As a lighter alternative to adversarial review
  • When external verification is expensive

Implementation

Section titled “Implementation”

Two-phase approach:

  1. Generate initial output
  2. “Review this output for [criteria]. List any issues. Then provide a revised version.”

Or single-pass:

  • “After your response, critique it for [criteria] and revise if needed.”

Criteria Examples

Section titled “Criteria Examples”
  • Accuracy: “Are all claims verifiable?”
  • Completeness: “Is anything missing?”
  • Clarity: “Would this confuse the reader?”
  • Tone: “Does this match the requested voice?”

Limitations

Section titled “Limitations”
  • Models have blind spots about their own errors
  • Self-critique is weaker than external review
  • Can add tokens without adding value on simple tasks
Section titled “Related Patterns”