Writing Good Prompts

Introduction

The same AI can give a vague answer or a great one. The difference is often the prompt. Think of it like asking a helpful stranger for directions: the more clearly you say where you are and where you want to go, the better the help.

The simple explanation

A good prompt says who it is for, what you want and how the answer should look.

A weak prompt:

Tell me about photosynthesis.

A stronger prompt:

I am a 12 year old studying for a science test.
Explain photosynthesis in 5 short bullet points.
Use one everyday comparison, and end with 2 quiz questions.

A simple recipe

Context: who you are and what the answer is for.
Task: the one thing you want done, with a clear verb such as explain, compare, list or rewrite.
Format: how it should look, such as bullet points, a table, or under 100 words.
Example (optional): show a sample of the style you want.
Limits: things to avoid, such as jargon.

Quick quiz

Which prompt is most likely to give a useful answer?

Show, do not just tell

Examples are powerful. If you want a certain style, include one:

Rewrite my sentences to sound friendlier.
Example: "Submit the form." becomes "Whenever you are ready, send us your form."
Now rewrite: "Your payment is late."

Keep the conversation going

Your first prompt does not have to be perfect. You can follow up:

"Make it shorter."
"Explain the second point in simpler words."
"Give me a different example."
"What would you check before trusting this answer?"

Try it yourself

Pick something you want to learn. Write a prompt that includes context, a task and a format. Run it, then write one follow-up that improves the answer.

Summary

Clear prompts get better answers.
Give context, a task, a format, and optionally an example and limits.
Follow up to refine, shorten or simplify.