Why this matters
Clear prompts save you time, data and frustration. On a limited data bundle, getting a useful answer on the first or second try instead of the fifth matters. It also shows employers that you can communicate clearly, which is a skill in its own right.
The four parts of a strong prompt
You do not need all four every time, but checking for them improves almost any request.
- Task. What exactly should it do? Use a clear action word: write, summarise, list, explain, rewrite, compare, translate.
- Context. What does it need to know? Who you are, the situation, key facts, what has already happened.
- Audience. Who is the result for? A customer, a manager, a JHS student, a donor, a market women's group. This changes tone and vocabulary.
- Format. What should the result look like? Length, bullet points or paragraphs, a table, a WhatsApp message, three options to choose from.
Extra tips that help
- Give it a role when useful: "Act as a friendly customer service assistant for a small shop."
- Say what to avoid: "Do not promise delivery dates. Avoid difficult words."
- Paste the material it should work from, after removing personal details, rather than expecting it to know.