Prompting fundamentals
Learn how to write clear prompts to get better, more useful responses.
Prompt engineering is the process of designing and refining your input in a way that helps ChatGPT give the best possible answer. It’s about figuring out how to ask so you get the result you want—whether that’s a clear summary, comprehensive report, or detailed analysis. ChatGPT works best when you give it clear instructions.
There’s no single “perfect” way to write a prompt. Think of it as a conversation with a colleague, where you might need to adjust your phrasing or tone to help them understand what you need. Experimentation and iteration are the best ways to discover how AI can be most useful to you.
Be clear about what you need ChatGPT to do. Outline what you want, who it’s for, and why it matters. Tip: Use an action verb, like “plan” or “draft” or “research.”
- Help me plan a trip itinerary for Prague in September 2026.
- Summarize last quarter’s sales results and suggest marketing strategies for next quarter.
Add any background or documentation that will help, including external sources like files, images, or documents. Learn more about working with files or apps.
- I’m traveling with my 2-year-old, who loves trains, and we want to use public transportation as much as possible.
- Use data from our attached Q2 sales report.
Tell ChatGPT how you want the response. Include details like tone, format, length, audience, and any constraints so the output matches your needs.
- Create a table with activities for 7 days, ensuring time for transportation between each activity.
- Write it as a formal executive summary.
Open ChatGPT(opens in a new window) and try out the three prompts below. Notice how the model responds, then try again by tweaking your prompt to add more context or guidance.
Okay | Better | Best |
Explain machine learning. | Explain how machine learning works using a simple everyday analogy. Requirements:
| Explain how machine learning works using a simple everyday analogy. Requirements:
|
- Break big tasks into smaller steps: If your request has multiple parts, try splitting it up. This makes it easier for ChatGPT to give clear, focused answers.
- Be specific, but keep it simple: More detail can improve the response, but focus on what matters most. Too much extra information can sometimes make the answer less helpful.
- Ask for options: If you want choices, say so. Example: “Suggest two different ways to present this report.”
- Set priorities: Let ChatGPT know what matters most to you—accuracy, creativity, speed, or something else.
