Be clear and specific - Rather than asking “help me write,” specify what you want: “write a professional email declining a meeting invitation.”
Provide context and examples - Give the AI background information and show examples of what you’re looking for, both good and bad examples when helpful.
Use step-by-step instructions - Break complex tasks into smaller, sequential steps rather than asking for everything at once.
Specify format and length - If you want a bulleted list, a 200-word summary, or content formatted in a particular way, say so explicitly.
Ask for reasoning - Phrases like “think through this step-by-step” or “explain your reasoning” often lead to better responses.
Use XML tags for structure - For complex prompts, tags like <instructions>, <examples>, or <format> can help organize your request clearly.