How to be specific and clear#
The rule of thumb is to provide just enough instructions and context to help guide the AI’s response. Here are some suggestions:
- Be direct and state exactly what you want (i.e. summary, list, explanation).
- Mention the audience and tone.
- Ask for one thing at a time. Avoid overloading your prompt with multiple questions.
Examples#
Example 1: Generating marketing ideas.
Be direct and unambiguous in your request.
Vague:
Give me some marketing ideas.
Specific:
Explain three effective digital marketing strategies for increasing social media engagement among millennials.
Example 2: Retrieving sales data.
Explain how you want the information presented.
Vague:
Give me the latest sales data.
Specific:
Provide a summary of our Q2 2023 sales data, highlighting the top three performing regions in a bullet-point list.
Example 3: Writing about climate change.
Tailor the response to the intended audience and desired tone.
Vague:
Write about climate change.
Specific:
Write a persuasive speech for high school students on the importance of combating climate change, using an urgent and motivational tone.
Example 4: Explain the software features and what's in it for the customers.
Avoid combining multiple requests in one prompt.
Vague:
Explain our new software features and how customers can benefit.
Specific:
List and briefly describe the three new features introduced in our latest software update.
Then, in a separate prompt:
Explain how each of these new features can improve productivity for our customers.