WORKING WITH AI · November 15, 2026

Better prompts begin with a clearer brief

A little context and a concrete output format can save a lot of back and forth.

Describe the result you need

Instead of asking for a generic piece of writing, specify its audience, purpose and length. For example: write a 150-word introduction to a beginner coding course for university students, using plain language and ending with a short invitation to try the first lesson.

Supply context and constraints

Separate your source material from your instructions. Explain what must stay unchanged and what the output should look like. When reviewing code, describe the expected behavior and the error you see. Remove passwords, private keys and unnecessary personal information before sharing context.

Review, then refine

AI output can contain mistakes. Check important facts, quotations and calculations against reliable sources. When something needs changing, identify the exact section and explain the desired correction. A focused follow-up is usually more useful than asking the model to start over without guidance.