1. Name the outcome
“Help with my work” is hard to evaluate. “Turn these notes into a five-item action list with owners and dates” gives you a finish line.
2. Supply only relevant context
Include the facts the task needs. Replace private names or account details with placeholders when they are unnecessary. More data is not automatically better context.
3. Describe the format and boundaries
Specify length, audience, tone and output format. Tell the assistant when to ask for clarification and what it must not invent.
4. Review and refine
Check the first result. Refine a specific instruction rather than repeatedly asking for “better.” Save the prompt together with a checklist for reviewing its output.
Turn the notes below into an action table: task, owner, deadline. Do not invent owners or dates. Mark anything missing as “Needs clarification.”
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