How to write better AI prompts

1. Say who you are and why you need it

An AI can't see your situation. One line about it changes the whole answer.

2. Say what form the answer should take

Ask for a table, a numbered list, three bullets or a word limit. Otherwise you get whatever the AI picks.

3. Name the audience and tone

Good writing depends on who is reading it. This matters most for emails and posts.

4. Add your limits

Say what must be included, what to avoid, and your budget or deadline.

5. For code, show the problem

Give the language, the code, what happens, and what you expected.

6. For research, ask for sources and dates

Set a time period and ask where the claims come from, then check those sources yourself. AI can get them wrong.

Then ask a better follow-up

The first answer is a starting point. Try "What is the strongest argument against your answer?" or "What important thing have I not asked about yet?"

Check your own prompt

Paste one into the free prompt checker to see what is missing.