Writing Clear Prompts

Now that you know what prompts are, let's learn how to write them clearly. Good prompts aren't about fancy techniques - they're about communicating what you need in a way ChatGPT can understand.

The Golden Rule

Write prompts as if you're talking to a helpful assistant who knows nothing about your situation.

This means:

• Don't assume ChatGPT knows the context
• Be specific about what you want
• Include relevant details

Five Tips for Clear Prompts

Tip 1: State What You Want

Start by telling ChatGPT what you need. Use clear action words:

Action Word	Example
Write	Write a thank you note to my mentor
Explain	Explain how solar panels work
List	List 5 healthy breakfast ideas
Compare	Compare iPhone vs Android
Suggest	Suggest names for my bakery business
Help me	Help me understand this error message

Less clear:

Solar panels?

Clear:

Explain how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Keep it simple - I don't have a science background.

Tip 2: Provide Context

Context helps ChatGPT tailor its response to your situation.

Without context:

How should I prepare for my interview?

With context:

I have a job interview tomorrow for a customer service position at a bank. I have 2 years of retail experience but never worked at a bank. How should I prepare?

The second prompt will get much more relevant advice.

Tip 3: Specify the Format

Tell ChatGPT how you want the information presented.

Format options:

• "In a bullet list"
• "In a table"
• "Step by step"
• "In 3 paragraphs"
• "As a numbered list"
• "In 100 words or less"

Example:

Give me 5 tips for better sleep, each as a single sentence.

Tip 4: Set the Tone

Let ChatGPT know the appropriate tone for your response.

Tone options:

• Formal / Professional
• Casual / Friendly
• Enthusiastic / Energetic
• Sympathetic / Supportive
• Humorous / Playful

Example:

Write a message declining a party invitation. Make it friendly but clear that I can't attend.

Tip 5: Give Examples (When Helpful)

If you have a specific style or format in mind, show ChatGPT an example.

Example:

Write three product taglines in this style:
"Just Do It" (Nike)
"Think Different" (Apple)

The product is a new coffee maker that brews in 30 seconds.

Common Prompt Problems and Fixes

Problem 1: Too Vague

Vague: "Write about marketing."

Better: "Write a 200-word explanation of content marketing for small business owners who are new to digital marketing."

Problem 2: Too Many Things at Once

Overloaded: "Write a blog post about gardening, also create a social media schedule, and give me some hashtag ideas, and can you also research the best times to post?"

Better: Start with one request, then follow up with others:

1. "Write a blog post about starting a vegetable garden for beginners."
2. "Now suggest a social media schedule for promoting this post."
3. "What hashtags should I use on Instagram for gardening content?"

Problem 3: Missing Important Details

Missing details: "Write a birthday message."

Complete: "Write a birthday message for my best friend Sarah who's turning 40. We've been friends since college and she loves hiking and bad puns."

Problem 4: Unclear About Your Role

Unclear: "How do I handle this situation?"

Clear: "I'm a manager and one of my team members is consistently late. How should I handle this situation professionally?"

The "Imagine You're Explaining to a New Coworker" Test

Before sending a prompt, ask yourself: "If I sent this message to a new coworker who knows nothing about my situation, would they understand what I need?"

If not, add more context.

Exercise: Improve These Prompts

Try rewriting these vague prompts to be clearer:

Exercise 1

Vague: "Help with email."

Your improved version: (Think about: what kind of email? To whom? About what?)

Exercise 2

Vague: "What should I eat?"

Your improved version: (Think about: any dietary restrictions? Time of day? Cooking skill level?)

Exercise 3

Vague: "Tell me about Paris."

Your improved version: (Think about: what aspect of Paris? For what purpose?)

Quick Reference: Prompt Template

When in doubt, use this structure:

I need to [what you want to do].

Context: [relevant background information]

Please [specific requirements or format].

Example:

I need to write a resignation letter.

Context: I'm leaving my job as an accountant after 5 years to pursue a new opportunity. My boss has been supportive and I want to leave on good terms.

Please keep it professional but warm, and limit it to 3 paragraphs.

Remember: Iteration is Okay!

You don't have to get the perfect prompt on the first try. It's completely normal to:

1. Start with a basic prompt
2. See what ChatGPT gives you
3. Ask for adjustments
4. Refine until you're happy

This back-and-forth process often produces better results than trying to craft one perfect prompt.

Key Takeaways

• Write prompts as if explaining to someone who knows nothing about your situation
• Include: what you want, context, format, and tone
• One request at a time is often better than combining many
• Use the "new coworker test" to check if your prompt is clear enough
• Iteration is normal and encouraged - refine through conversation

In the next module, we'll put these skills into practice with common real-world use cases!