Effective Prompts for Each Tip

1. Be Specific and Detailed

Example Prompt: “I need to create a nutrition plan for a 45-year-old active male with borderline high cholesterol (215 mg/dL) who exercises 3 times weekly. He works a desk job, has a 30-minute lunch break, dislikes seafood, and wants to lose 15 pounds over 3 months. Please create a 7-day meal plan with shopping list and meal prep instructions.”

2. Use Follow-up Questions

Initial Prompt: “Help me draft a cover letter for a marketing position.” Follow-up Prompt: “This is helpful, but could you revise it to emphasize my data analytics skills more? Also, the tone feels too formal for a creative agency—can you make it more conversational while remaining professional?”

3. Request Specific Formats

Example Prompt: “Explain the process of photosynthesis in a way a 10-year-old would understand. Format your answer as:

• A brief introduction (2-3 sentences)
• A step-by-step explanation with numbered points
• A simple analogy comparing it to something in everyday life
• A fun fact at the end”

4. Leverage Coding Capabilities

Example Prompt: “Write a Python script that analyzes a CSV file containing student grades (columns: Student ID, Name, Assignment1, Assignment2, Midterm, Final) and outputs:

1. Class average for each assessment
2. Students who scored below 60% on any assessment
3. Top 3 performers based on final weighted grade (Final: 40%, Midterm: 30%, Assignments: 15% each) Include error handling for missing data and comments explaining each section of code.”

5. Ask for Visuals

Example Prompt: “Create an SVG diagram showing the water cycle process. Include the key stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection, and transpiration. Use a blue color scheme and include simple icons to represent each stage. Add brief labels for each stage of the process.”

6. Specify Your Preferred Level of Detail

Brief Version: “Give me a quick overview of quantum computing fundamentals in 3-4 sentences.” Detailed Version: “Provide an in-depth explanation of quantum computing fundamentals. Cover qubits, superposition, entanglement, and quantum gates. Include examples, practical applications, and current limitations. I have a background in computer science but limited physics knowledge.”

7. Invite Step-by-Step Thinking

Example Prompt: “I need to solve this probability problem: In a bag of 5 red, 3 blue, and 2 green marbles, what’s the probability of drawing 2 red marbles in a row without replacement? Walk through your solution step-by-step, explaining each calculation and your reasoning at each stage.”

8. Specify Your Expertise Level

Example Prompt: “Explain how CRISPR gene editing works. I have a high school biology background but haven’t studied genetics since. Use analogies where helpful, and avoid technical jargon unless you explain the terms.”

9. Use as a Brainstorming Partner

Example Prompt: “I’m designing a community garden project for an urban neighborhood with limited space. Help me brainstorm creative solutions by:

1. Suggesting 5 unconventional spaces that could be repurposed
2. Proposing 3 different layouts that maximize growing space
3. Identifying 4 ways to involve local schools
4. Exploring potential funding sources For each idea, briefly note potential challenges and benefits.”

10. Share Relevant Files

Example Prompt: “I’ve uploaded my company’s quarterly sales data. Please analyze it to identify:

 

1. The top-performing product categories
2. Monthly sales trends
3. Any correlations between marketing spend and sales performance
4. Recommendations based on these insights Create a simple visualization of the key findings if possible.”