Robi says: “Think of a prompt like ordering food — the more specific you are, the better the result!”
You’ve probably heard people talk about “prompts” when using AI tools like ChatGPT. But what exactly is a prompt, and how do you write one that gets you good results? Let’s break it down in plain English.
What Is a Prompt?
A prompt is just the question or instruction you give to an AI tool. That’s it. Nothing fancy.
When you type “write me an email” or “explain how gravity works,” that’s a prompt. You’re telling the AI what you want it to do.
The key is this: the clearer your prompt, the better the AI’s response. Think of it like ordering food. If you say “I want something to eat,” the waiter won’t know what to bring you. But if you say “I’d like a cheese pizza, thin crust, no olives,” you’ll get exactly what you want.
Good Prompt vs Bad Prompt
Let’s look at some real examples so you can see the difference.
Bad Prompt:
“Tell me about marketing.”
This is too vague. The AI could write a 5,000-word essay or give you one sentence. You’ll probably get a generic answer that doesn’t help.
Good Prompt:
“Explain 3 simple marketing strategies for a small bakery with a limited budget. Keep it under 200 words.”
This is specific, gives context, and tells the AI exactly what format you want. You’ll get a focused, useful answer.
See the difference? The second prompt tells the AI exactly what you need, so it can give you a better response.
The 3 Rules for Writing Great Prompts
You don’t need to be a tech expert to write good prompts. Just follow these 3 simple rules:
1. Be Specific
Instead of “help me with my CV,” say “improve the summary section of my CV for a job in customer service. Make it sound professional but friendly.”
2. Give Context
The more background information you give, the better the AI can help. Instead of “plan a party,” say “plan a birthday party for my 7-year-old who loves dinosaurs. I have a budget of £100 and need ideas for activities and food.”
3. Tell It the Format You Want
Do you want a list? A paragraph? Bullet points? Tell the AI. For example: “Give me 5 tips for saving money on groceries. Write them as a numbered list with one sentence per tip.”
You Can Always Ask It to Try Again
Here’s a secret: you don’t have to get your prompt perfect on the first try. If the AI gives you something that’s not quite right, you can always follow up.
For example:
- “Make it shorter.”
- “Use simpler words.”
- “Try again but make it more formal.”
- “Add more examples.”
ChatGPT remembers your conversation, so you can keep refining until you get exactly what you need.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get better at writing prompts is to just practice. Start with something simple — ask ChatGPT to explain your favorite hobby or help you write a shopping list.
Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. If you get a vague answer, try being more specific next time. If the answer is too long, ask for it in fewer words.
Before long, writing good prompts will feel natural. And once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how much time and effort AI can save you.
Your First Prompt Challenge
Ready to give it a try? Here’s a simple challenge: open ChatGPT and write a prompt following the 3 rules above. Be specific, give context, and tell it what format you want.
You could ask it to:
- Plan a day trip for your family
- Write a thank-you message for a friend
- Explain a topic you’ve always been curious about
- Give you ideas for a new hobby
Whatever you choose, remember: there’s no wrong answer. Just give it a go and see what happens. That’s how everyone starts!
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