What ChatGPT is (and what it isn’t)

• ChatGPT is a writing + thinking partner. It works best when you give context and constraints.
• It does not “know” your private information unless you paste it in.
• It can make confident mistakes, so treat outputs as drafts.

The Prompt Formula (Copy/Paste)

You are a [role].

Goal:
- What you must produce

Context:
- Background, audience, constraints

Inputs:
- Data, notes, examples

Rules:
- Tone, length, format, must/avoid

Output format:
- Exactly how you want the answer laid out

Ask me 5 clarifying questions before you start.

Tips for Better Prompts

1. Give the model a role (e.g., recruiter, tutor, product manager).
2. Provide examples of what “good” looks like.
3. Add constraints (length, tone, structure, must-include).
4. Ask for options (e.g., “give me 5 variants”).
5. Iterate: “Rewrite it shorter”, “make it more direct”, “add 3 examples”.
6. Use checklists and tables when you need structure.
7. Ask for assumptions and have them listed explicitly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vague prompts (“write me a plan”) with no goal, timeline, or audience.
• Asking for everything at once (results become generic).