Write better prompts for work without the jargon

A good prompt is a useful brief. You do not need magic words. You need to explain the job, the material available and what a good answer looks like.

Describe the job

Start with a direct verb: summarize, compare, draft, classify or brainstorm. Narrow the audience and purpose: “Draft a friendly project update for a client” is clearer than “Write an email.”

Add the right context

Share the facts the tool needs, such as the goal, audience, tone and constraints. Use approved or public information when working with external tools.

Ask for a useful format

Request bullets, a table, a checklist or a short draft. If you need facts checked, ask the tool to identify assumptions and point back to the supplied source.

Review and refine

Read the result critically. Correct mistakes, add missing context and ask a follow-up. The final decision and final voice should remain yours.