Prompting is just a fancy word for asking good questions. The clearer your instructions, the better your results. Here’s how to master the basics.
1. Be Clear and Specific
Bad prompt:
Tell me about design.
Better prompt:
Explain the difference between UX design and UI design in one short paragraph.
Why it works: You’re setting boundaries — what to explain and how long the answer should be.
2. Give Context
AI works best when it knows your situation.
I’m a senior UX designer working on a dashboard for church administrators. Explain how to improve readability and reduce visual noise.
Adding context helps the AI tailor its response to your world.
3. Use Examples
Show what you want.
Write a short blog post about volunteering.
Example tone: friendly, hopeful, conversational.
Length: 200 words.
Examples are like calibration — they guide tone, structure, and depth.
4. Break Down Complex Requests
Instead of one giant question, split it into steps:
- Create an outline for a prayer app landing page.
- Then, write the hero section copy.
- Finally, suggest an image for the hero area.
Breaking things down helps the AI follow your flow.
5. Ask for Iteration
Don’t stop after the first answer. Try:
Make it punchier.
Add bullet points.
Use a more confident tone.
Think of it as a collaboration — not a one-shot request.
6. Set Format Expectations
Tell the AI how to structure the output.
Output as a Markdown table.
Write JSON I can paste into VS Code.
Give me a numbered list of tasks.
The clearer your format, the faster you can copy and use the results.
7. Combine Roles and Goals
Start prompts with who you are and what you’re trying to do:
I’m building a personal portfolio in Next.js. Help me write a short “About” section that sounds confident but humble.
This pattern — Role + Goal + Task — works for nearly everything.
Quick Reference
| Prompting Principle | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Be specific | Say exactly what you want | “Summarize this in 3 bullet points.” |
| Add context | Include your role or purpose | “I’m a developer learning React.” |
| Give examples | Show tone, format, or style | “Use a calm and professional tone.” |
| Iterate | Ask for changes | “Make it more concise.” |
| Structure output | Define the format | “Write in Markdown.” |
Final Thought
Prompting isn’t about tricking the AI — it’s about thinking clearly.
If you can explain what you need to a person, you can prompt well.
