A prompt is just what you type to an AI. These six before-and-after rewrites show what the makers’ own guides recommend, in plain words.
Guides read Oct 1, 2026
About these examples. The rewrites are ours, made to illustrate advice from the three guides linked below. We have not measured whether they give better answers on any particular bot. The ideas come from the makers; the wording is ours.
The five-part recipe
You do not need magic words. The three big makers’ guides agree on the same basics.1,2,3
Goal what you want done. Context who you are and the background. Task the exact request. Format length, layout, tone. Limits what to include or avoid.
Anthropic (Claude)
Be clear and direct, as if briefing a brilliant new employee who lacks context. State format and constraints, add the reason behind a request, and use a few varied examples.1
OpenAI (ChatGPT)
Give precise instructions, relevant context and examples, and separate parts of a long prompt clearly.2
Google (Gemini)
Use clear, specific instructions, state constraints and the response format, add examples and context, then iterate by rephrasing.3
Before and after
1. Say what you actually want
Technique: Be clear and direct, and state the format.1
BeforeWrite about dogs.
AfterWrite a 150-word summary of how to choose a first dog for a small apartment, in 3 bullets.Length, topic angle and format are all stated.Try it in the search bar
AfterI am a first-time home buyer with no finance background. Explain the difference between a fixed-rate and an adjustable-rate mortgage in plain English, with one example of each, in under 200 words.The AI now knows the audience, the exact question and the limit.Try it in the search bar
3. Say how the answer should look
Technique: Specify output format and constraints.1
BeforeHelp me with my email.
AfterRewrite the email below so it is shorter and friendlier. Keep every date and dollar amount unchanged. Give me two versions: one formal, one casual.
Email:
[paste a non-sensitive email here]The task, the limits and the shape of the answer are spelled out. The bracket is where your text goes; leave out private details.Try it in the search bar
BeforeMake these product names catchier: Blue Water Bottle, Soft Cotton Socks.
AfterRewrite product names so they are short and playful. Example: “Large Red Backpack” → “Crimson Carry”. Now rewrite: “Blue Water Bottle” and “Soft Cotton Socks”.One example teaches the style faster than a paragraph of description. The guides suggest several varied examples for harder jobs.Try it in the search bar
5. Long text: material first, question last
Technique: Put long documents first and the question at the end.1
BeforeSummarize this. [pasted 20-page report]
After[paste the report here]
Using only the report above, list the three main findings in one sentence each, then tell me anything the report does not say.Anthropic advises placing long documents at the top and the question at the end. Asking for what is missing helps you spot gaps.Try it in the search bar
AfterWhat do the official label and a government health site say about [name of supplement]? Give the links, say what you could not find, and tell me what to ask a pharmacist.This turns a confident guess into a list of places to verify. You still have to open them; AI can invent sources.Try it in the search bar
If the answer is not right, change the prompt
Google’s guide suggests iterating: rephrase, reorder, or add a constraint and try again.3 A follow-up like “make it shorter” or “use simpler words” is normal.
Privacy reminder
Whatever you paste goes to the bot’s company. Leave out passwords, account numbers and other people’s private information. See Chat privacy.
hitechmike’s take
If a friend could not follow your request, neither can the AI. Write it like you are texting a smart helper who knows nothing about your situation.