Skip to main content

Chapter 2: Basic Prompting Tips

The Secret to Better AI Responses​

The difference between a disappointing AI response and an amazing one often comes down to how you ask. Let's learn the basics of "prompt engineering."

What Is a Prompt?​

A prompt is simply what you type to the AI. It's your instruction, question, or request.

Examples of prompts:

  • "What is photosynthesis?"
  • "Write a birthday message for my sister"
  • "Help me plan a trip to Paris"

The Golden Rule​

The Most Important Tip

Be specific. The more detail you give, the better the response.

Example: Asking for Help with Writing​

Vague prompt:

"Write something about dogs"

AI might give: A random essay about dogs that may not be what you need.

Specific prompt:

"Write a 100-word paragraph about why golden retrievers make great family pets, written for a family considering getting their first dog"

AI will give: Exactly what you asked for.

The 5 Keys to Good Prompts​

1. Be Clear About What You Want​

Tell the AI exactly what format or type of response you need.

Instead of...Try...
"Tell me about Italy""Give me 5 must-see attractions in Rome"
"Help with my email""Write a professional email declining a meeting invitation"
"Explain AI""Explain AI to a 10-year-old in 3 sentences"

2. Provide Context​

Give background information that helps the AI understand your situation.

Without context:

"What should I say?"

With context:

"My coworker helped me with a difficult project. What should I say to thank them professionally in an email?"

3. Specify the Tone​

Tell the AI how you want it to sound.

Tone options:

  • Professional
  • Casual/friendly
  • Formal
  • Humorous
  • Enthusiastic
  • Compassionate

Example:

"Write a thank you note in a warm, friendly tone"

4. Set Length Expectations​

Tell the AI how long or short you want the response.

Examples:

  • "In one sentence..."
  • "In about 100 words..."
  • "Give me a detailed explanation..."
  • "Keep it brief..."
  • "Write a full-page essay..."

5. Give Examples (When Helpful)​

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

Example:

"Format the list like this:

  • Item name: Description

Now create a list of 5 productivity apps"

Common Prompt Patterns​

The "Act As" Pattern​

Tell the AI to take on a role.

"Act as a travel agent. Help me plan a 7-day trip to Japan on a budget."

"Act as a teacher. Explain calculus in simple terms."

"Act as a chef. Give me a recipe using chicken and vegetables."

The "Step by Step" Pattern​

Ask for structured responses.

"Explain how to change a tire, step by step"

"Walk me through creating a budget, step by step"

The "Pros and Cons" Pattern​

Get balanced perspectives.

"What are the pros and cons of working from home?"

"List the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars"

The "Examples" Pattern​

Ask for specific examples.

"Give me 5 examples of successful small businesses"

"Show me 3 ways to start a professional email"

What to Do When Responses Aren't Right​

Technique 1: Ask for Changes​

"Make it shorter" "Make it more formal" "Add more examples" "Use simpler language"

Technique 2: Be More Specific​

Original: "Write about marketing"

Refined: "Write about social media marketing strategies for small bakeries"

Technique 3: Ask for Alternatives​

"Give me 3 different versions of that" "Can you try a different approach?"

Technique 4: Add Context​

"I should mention: the audience is elderly people who aren't familiar with technology"

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

❌ Being Too Vague​

Bad: "Write something" Good: "Write a 200-word blog post about sustainable fashion"

❌ Asking Multiple Things at Once​

Bad: "Explain quantum physics, write me a poem, and plan my vacation" Good: Ask each separately

❌ Not Checking the Output​

Bad: Copying AI text without reading it Good: Read, verify facts, and edit as needed

❌ Expecting Perfection First Try​

Bad: Giving up after one try Good: Iterate and refine your prompts

Helpful Phrases to Use​

For Clarity​

  • "In simple terms..."
  • "As if explaining to a beginner..."
  • "In bullet points..."

For Length​

  • "In one paragraph..."
  • "In about 50 words..."
  • "Briefly explain..."
  • "Give a detailed analysis..."

For Tone​

  • "In a professional tone..."
  • "In a friendly, casual way..."
  • "Formally..."

For Format​

  • "In a numbered list..."
  • "In table format..."
  • "As an outline..."

Practice Exercises​

Try these to practice your prompting skills:

Exercise 1: Email Writing​

Write a prompt asking AI to help you write an email requesting time off from work.

See Example Prompt

"Write a professional email to my manager requesting 3 days off next month (December 15-17) for a family event. Keep it brief and polite."

Exercise 2: Learning Something New​

Write a prompt to learn about a topic you're curious about.

See Example Prompt

"Explain blockchain technology to someone with no technical background. Use simple analogies and keep it under 200 words."

Exercise 3: Getting Ideas​

Write a prompt to brainstorm ideas for a hobby or project.

See Example Prompt

"Give me 10 creative date ideas for a couple who loves outdoor activities but has a limited budget of $50."

Quick Reference Card​

GoalPrompt Starter
Explain something"Explain [topic] in simple terms..."
Write something"Write a [length] [type] about [topic] in a [tone] tone"
Get ideas"Give me [number] ideas for..."
Compare things"What are the pros and cons of..."
Learn steps"Explain how to [task] step by step"
Get help"Help me with [task]. Context: [details]"

Key Takeaways​

✅ Be specific - The more detail, the better

✅ Provide context - Help AI understand your situation

✅ Specify format - Length, tone, structure

✅ Iterate - Refine prompts if first response isn't right

✅ Use patterns - "Act as," "Step by step," "Pros and cons"

Next Up​

Now let's see how to apply these skills to real everyday tasks:

👉 Chapter 3: Common Use Cases