An AI assistant can only work with what you tell it. Vague instructions tend to produce vague answers, while clear ones usually produce something you can use. Prompting is less a trick than a habit of communicating well.

Give context

Say who the answer is for and why you need it. For example, explaining that you are preparing a short briefing for busy managers helps the tool choose the right level of detail.

State the goal and the format

  • Describe the task in a sentence or two.
  • Name the format you want, such as bullet points, a table or a short email.
  • Mention length, tone or reading level.
  • Include any facts or source text the answer should rely on.

Iterate

Treat the first answer as a draft. Ask the assistant to shorten, simplify, change tone or explain its reasoning. Small follow-ups are often faster than rewriting the whole prompt.

Check the output

AI tools can make mistakes or invent details. Verify facts, numbers and names against reliable sources before using the result, especially for important work.

Protect sensitive information

Avoid pasting passwords, personal data or confidential documents into tools unless your organisation has approved them and you understand how data is handled.