How do you write good prompts for AI?
When you write prompts, tell the AI four things: your goal, the context it needs, the format you want, and ideally an example. The AI can't read your mind, so missing details lead to generic guesses. Treat the first answer as a draft: say what to change, ask follow-up questions, and check any facts that matter.
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Why it matters
A chatbot predicts an answer from your words alone. You'll learn the four parts of a strong prompt and why the second try is often better than the first.
In 6 minutes you'll be able to
- Start with a clear goal and add who it's for and any limits.
- Ask for the format you want and show an example.
- Treat the first answer as a draft, and check facts that matter.
What you'll practise
The four parts of a prompt
Tap each card to see what it adds.
- 🎯 Goal
- What do you want? "Plan a 2-hour party" beats "party ideas". Start with a clear verb: plan, explain, compare, shorten.
- 🧩 Context
- Who is it for, and what are the limits? "For eight 10-year-olds, indoors, small budget" changes everything.
- 📋 Format
- How should the answer look? A list, a table, 100 words, simple language. Otherwise the AI picks for you.
- 🔍 Example
- Show one example of what you like. The AI copies its style and level much better than a description.
Which part is it?
Here's a prompt in pieces. Sort each piece into the part it plays.
- Suggest three games for a party → Goal
- The guests are eight 10-year-olds → Context
- We only have a small living room → Context
- Answer as a numbered list → Format
- Keep each idea under 30 words → Format
- Like this: "Musical statues: freeze when the music stops" → Example
Which prompt works better?
Same goal, two prompts. Pick the one that gives Lumi what it needs.
You need help with an email to your landlord about a broken heater.
- "Write a short, polite email asking for a heater repair this week" (Answer)
- "Email landlord"
You want to understand photosynthesis for a test tomorrow.
- "Explain photosynthesis"
- "Explain photosynthesis in simple steps for a 13-year-old, then quiz me with 3 questions" (Answer)
Lumi's first answer is too long and too formal. What now?
- Start again with the same prompt
- Reply: "Half as long, and more casual please" (Answer)
- Give up, AI can't do it
The prompt loop
Put the steps of a good prompting routine in order.
- Say your goal in one clear sentence
- Add context: who it's for and any limits
- Ask for a format, and show an example if you can
- Read the answer and say what to change
- Check any facts before you use them
Remember
Lumi only knows what you tell it: goal, context, format, example. Then refine and check.
Say what you want, give context, ask for a format, then refine.
Key facts
- 57% of US teens aged 13 to 17 say they have used AI chatbots to search for information, and 54% to get help with schoolwork. · Source: Pew Research Center, How Teens Use and View AI, 2026
- A chatbot builds its answer from the words you give it. Missing context means it fills the gaps with the most typical guess, which is why vague prompts give generic answers.
- A well-written prompt makes a useful answer more likely, but it doesn't make the answer true. Facts that matter still need checking.
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Questions people ask
What are the parts of a good AI prompt?
A clear goal, the context the AI needs (who it's for, limits, background), the format you want, and if possible an example of what good looks like.
Why does AI give me generic answers?
Usually because the prompt is short and vague, so the AI fills the gaps with the most typical answer. Add details about your situation and say exactly what you need.
Should I write long prompts?
Write as long as needed and no longer. A few precise sentences with goal, context and format beat a long, rambling prompt.
What should I do if the AI's answer isn't what I wanted?
Reply with specific feedback, like "shorter", "simpler words" or "as a table". Prompting works best as a short back-and-forth conversation.
Related terms