Stop making AI guess what you mean

“Make this better” is a starting point. But it leaves a lot open to interpretation: better for whom, for what purpose, and in what format?

A useful brief gives AI something more concrete to work with. You can start with four details.

1. Say what you need

Name the task. Are you asking for a first draft, a comparison, an explanation or feedback? If you want feedback, say whether you want comments or a rewritten version.

2. Explain who it’s for

An introduction for someone completely new to a subject needs a different approach from a note to an experienced colleague. Tell the tool about the intended audience and their starting point.

3. Describe a useful result

Give the answer a shape. That might be five bullet points, a short email, a table comparing three options, or a step-by-step plan.

4. Add your boundaries

Say what needs to stay, what to avoid and how much detail you want. For writing, you could ask it to keep your main point, use plain English and avoid corporate jargon.

A prompt you can adapt

Rewrite the text below for [audience]. My goal is [purpose]. Keep my main point and use a [tone] tone. Format it as [format] and keep it under [length]. Ask if you need information that I haven’t provided.

Read the result against your original goal. Keep the parts that work and be specific about the changes you need. You’re shaping a draft, so you don’t have to get the whole brief perfect on the first attempt.