Discourse Analyzer gives you two main ways to enter prompts: Free Mode and Tool Mode. Each mode affects how your prompts are handled and what kind of results you get.
Free Mode #
- How it works:
Free Mode is active when you haven’t selected a specific tool. You’ll see the prompt bar ready for any question or command. - Prompt style:
You can ask open-ended questions or give custom instructions. The AI decides the best analysis method based on your input and the model you’ve chosen. - Best for:
Exploratory research, unique questions, or when you want flexibility beyond the preset tools.
Example prompt for Free Mode:
- “Summarize the main differences between these two texts.”
- “Explain how power is constructed in this interview transcript.”
Tool Mode #
- How it works:
Tool Mode is active when you select a tool from the dropdown menu (like “Theme Analysis” or “Argument Structure”). Each tool is designed for a specific analysis task. - Prompt style:
Your prompt works as an extra instruction, guiding the tool to focus on what matters most for your research. You can tell it what to highlight, which approach to use, or what section to analyze. - Best for:
Targeted analysis (themes, structure, argumentation, visual elements) and when you want to use specialized features.
Example prompt for Tool Mode:
- With “Theme Analysis” selected:
“Focus on political themes and ignore biographical details.” - With “Argument Structure” selected:
“Highlight any fallacies or unsupported claims.”
Key Differences #
- Free Mode:
More flexible. You decide the task, the AI figures out how to analyze it. - Tool Mode:
More structured. The tool sets the analysis type, and your prompt fine-tunes it for your goals.
Tip: If you want maximum control and precision, use Tool Mode and be specific with your prompt. For broader or creative exploration, use Free Mode.
Well-chosen prompts in both modes help you get the best out of Discourse Analyzer’s AI, whether you need a deep dive with a tool or want to run open-ended analyses.
