Turn a messy task into a prompt in five minutes

Most weak prompts come from a task that was never fully described, even to the person asking. A short routine fixes that before you type.

1. Write the goal in one sentence

I need [what] so that [why]. The so that part matters, because it tells the model what a good answer is for.

2. Say who reads it

A note for your manager, a message to a customer and a summary for yourself need different wording. Name the reader.

3. Put the material in a marked block

Paste the input under a label such as Text: or between clear delimiters, so instructions and material cannot get mixed up.

4. Describe the shape of the answer

Length, format, and what to leave out. Three bullets, plain language, no marketing words is enough.

5. Add one rule for the awkward case

What should happen when information is missing or the input is odd? If a detail is missing, ask me prevents an invented one.

A worked example

Messy: help me with this email.

Rewritten: I need a reply to the customer email below so that they know the refund is on its way and stop chasing it. Reader: a customer who is annoyed but polite. Write under 120 words in a plain tone, with no apology longer than one sentence. If the email does not give the order number, ask me and do not guess. Email: [paste]

Then check the result

Read the answer against your goal sentence. If it misses, change the prompt and not only the answer. common-prompt-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them lists the usual causes.