Four things to include
- What you want: a list, a letter, an explanation, a short summary.
- Who it is for: you, a grandchild, a neighbour, a club newsletter.
- The background: the few facts it needs to know.
- How you want it: short or long, simple words, friendly or formal.
Before and after
Vague
Tell me about walking.
Clear
I am 72 and want to start walking for my health. Suggest a gentle plan for the first four weeks, in short dot points, starting with ten minutes a day.
The second question tells the chatbot who you are, what you want and how to set it out. You do not need to give your name for this to work.
If the answer is not right
Just say so. Try "Use simpler words", "Make it shorter", "Explain that last part again" or "Give me two other options". You can also ask it to ask you questions first: "Before you answer, ask me anything you need to know."
Try this
- Ask a chatbot a short, vague question about a hobby you enjoy.
- Now ask again, adding who it is for, the background and how you want the answer.
- Compare the two answers.
Safety tip
Adding background does not mean adding private details. "A retired person in a small town" works just as well as your name and address.