Using AI · Level 2 of 5 · Foundations

Writing good prompts

Give context, a clear task, a format, and examples so the assistant gives you what you need.

Study notes

A good prompt states the task, the audience, and the goal. 'Write a 120-word thank-you note to a volunteer who ran our food drive' beats 'write a note'.
Give the context the model cannot guess: who you are, what you already tried, constraints like length, tone, or reading level.
Ask for a specific format: a bulleted list, a table, three options, or a draft with a subject line.
Examples help. Paste a sample of the style you want and say 'match this tone'.
Iterate. Treat the first answer as a draft and ask for changes: shorter, friendlier, add a deadline, remove jargon.

Quiz: 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question, then check your answers. Score 5 of 6 to pass. Then enter your name and email to download a PDF certificate and have a copy emailed to you. Answers are graded in your browser.

1. Which prompt is most likely to get a useful result?

Write a 100-word reminder email to parents that the school picnic moved to Saturday at 11 a.m. Write email Email please Do the picnic thing

2. Why should you include context in a prompt?

The model cannot guess facts only you know It makes the answer longer automatically Context is required by law It turns off hallucinations completely

3. You want the answer as a comparison. What should you ask for?

A table with named columns Nothing; it will guess A poem A longer prompt with no format

4. What is a good way to get a specific writing style?

Paste an example and ask the assistant to match its tone Type in all capital letters Ask the same question 20 times Use as few words as possible

5. The first draft is too formal. Best next step?

Ask for a more casual version and say what to keep Start over in a new tool Accept it anyway Delete your prompt

6. Which detail is a constraint?

Keep it under 150 words Hello Thank you Please

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