All prompts

Techniques

• Assign a role "You are an editor with 10 years of experience" — one line sets the level
• Give context Situation, purpose and reader — the same question gets a different answer
• Pin down the task Verb + object + scope. The gap between "sort this out" and "just the to-dos"
• Specify the output format Fix the table, list, length and field order and the result is usable as it is
• Constraints Write down don'ts, length, tone and banned words to head off the usual mishaps
• Fence off the input Wrap pasted material in """ so it does not get mixed in with your instructions
• Show an example Show one or two of the results you want and the format and tone follow
• Think step by step Have it write out the working first, then reach a conclusion
• Have it ask back Have it ask for the information it is missing before it answers
• Self-check Have it check its own answer against the conditions and fix what is off
• Chaining Break a big job into several separate prompts
• Ask for revisions "Shorter", "three options", "more formal" — fix it with a follow-up