"I keep hearing about 'prompts' but I don't understand what that means."

— Virginia S., Sarasota FL

Don't worry, Virginia — it's simpler than it sounds! A prompt is just what you type to tell the AI what you want. When you ask ChatGPT "What's the capital of France?" — that question is your prompt.

The term comes from the idea of prompting someone to speak or act. You're prompting the AI to respond. Just as a director might prompt an actor with a line, you're prompting ChatGPT with the starting point for its response.

Every interaction with ChatGPT begins with a prompt from you. The AI waits for your input and then generates a response based on what you've written.

— Pat

"Why does it matter how I phrase my prompt?"

— Thomas R., Tempe AZ

Great question, Thomas! The quality of your prompt significantly influences the quality of the response. A vague prompt typically produces a generic response. A specific, well-crafted prompt often yields remarkably useful results.

Consider the difference between "tell me about dogs" and "explain the key differences between golden retrievers and labrador retrievers for someone considering their first family pet." Both are valid, but the second produces much more useful information!

Simple questions deserve simple prompts. But for tasks where you want specific, tailored help, investing a moment in your prompt pays dividends.

— Pat

"What makes a good prompt?"

— Eleanor K., Naples FL

Good prompts typically include a few key elements, Eleanor. Context helps the AI understand your situation — who you are, why you're asking, what you already know.

Specificity narrows the response to what's actually useful. Format instructions guide how you want the answer structured — a brief paragraph, a numbered list, a comparison.

Constraints eliminate unwanted content. You might specify "without technical jargon" or "focusing only on options under $500." Every detail helps ChatGPT tailor its response to your actual needs!

— Pat

Pat

"More questions answered after this quick recommendation!"

👍 Pat Recommends

Want to master the art of prompts? These guides show you exactly how.

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"Do I have to get my prompt perfect the first time?"

— Richard C., Surrey, UK

Not at all, Richard! Your initial prompt doesn't need to be perfect because you can refine through conversation. ChatGPT remembers context, so you can build on what you've already discussed.

If the response isn't quite right, follow up: "Can you explain that more simply?" or "What about for someone on a budget?" or "I should have mentioned I'm vegetarian — can you revise?"

This back-and-forth often works better than trying to craft a perfect single prompt. Start reasonable and refine from there!

— Pat

"Can you give me an example of improving a prompt?"

— Carolyn M., Scottsdale AZ

Absolutely, Carolyn! Let's say you need help with a cover letter. A basic prompt: "Write me a cover letter" — too vague!

An improved version: "Write a cover letter for a customer service position at a retail company. I have 15 years of experience helping customers at a local hardware store. I'm applying because I want to work closer to home. Keep it to one page and make it warm but professional."

See the difference? The improved version gives ChatGPT everything it needs to create something truly useful for your situation!

— Pat