In generative AI, a prompt is the input — such as text, an image, or instructions — given to an AI model to guide and shape the content it generates in response. When you provide this input, you’ll learn how to have conversations similar to human interactions and critique the results carefully. These back-and-forth exchanges with the AI model will produce the best results.

5 guidelines for a good prompt

Use correct spelling and grammar. Write complete sentences.
Be clear, specific and detailed about your request to the AI.
Provide context and perspective to focus the AI output.
Break down complex tasks into multiple short prompts.
Specify the desired format, tone and style of the output.

Detailed prompts produce better results

Poor prompt

Give me an idea for a service project.

Better prompt

I am a student assigned to work with my class members on a community project to help those who lack housing. What ideas do you have?

Effective prompt

I have been assigned to work with members of my college sociology class on a community project to help those who lack housing. Suggest three practical projects my group of five students could complete in nine weeks, describe what steps and resources each project would require, and explain what the group would learn in the process.

Key elements of an effective AI prompt

* Based on a model developed by AI engineer Ben Hylak and endorsed by OpenAI President Greg Brockman

State your goal	EXAMPLE PROMPT I am presenting to a group of college students about ethical issues related to artificial intelligence. I need help identifying and organizing ideas.
Provide task instructions and form of output	Identify the most important ethical issues related to AI. Create a list of 8-10 key points to make, with several bullets for each point explaining its importance. Cross-reference your recommendations with classical principles of ethics and draw connections between those principles and emerging AI technologies. Suggest visuals for the presentation.
Give any constraints, warnings and verification requirements	Use the points in my attached paper. Provide links to all sources. Draw material from respected academic publications only.
Provide background and context (include as much as you can)	For context: I have been studying AI ethics and have written the attached paper. I now need to explain these issues in a 15-minute oral presentation. The students have only general knowledge about AI and most have not studied ethical matters.
Optional: Specify the role the AI should play	In providing your list, consider yourself to be the presenter, who is a college-aged student very close in age to the audience.
Optional: Provide examples for the AI to follow	I have created a start on the presentation and have attached that to this prompt. Please provide a critique of my ideas so far.