Ask for what you want — prompting that works
Write clear requests so the assistant gets it right the first time.
Beginner · ~5 min · Prerequisites: None
What you'll do
Turn vague asks into specific ones and learn the prompt patterns that produce good output — so you spend less time editing and iterating.
Steps
State the outcome and format
Tell the assistant what you want AND what shape it should take. Compare:
- Vague: "Help me with my report."
- Specific: "Write a two-paragraph executive summary of my Q3 review, focused on wins and risks."
Adding the format — bullets, a table, a numbered list, a paragraph — cuts the number of follow-ups you need.
Give context up front
Include who it's for, what they already know, and any constraints. For example: "Draft a reply to a client who asked about our pricing. They're on the Basic plan and want to upgrade. Keep it under 100 words."
The assistant can't read your mind — the more context you give, the less it has to guess.
Ask for a plan first on big tasks
Before the assistant does anything irreversible, say "outline the steps before you do anything" or "show me a plan first." This puts it in Plan mode: it proposes a structured approach and waits for your go-ahead before acting.
Iterate with short follow-ups instead of restarting
If the first response is close but not quite right, correct it in the same thread rather than starting over. Short corrections work well: "shorter", "more formal", "add a section on risks", "use bullet points instead."
The assistant carries the full conversation history, so you never have to repeat yourself.
You don't need to master prompting before you start. Send your first message, see what comes back, and refine from there. Most people improve naturally within a few sessions.