How to write better AI prompts (without needing to sound like a robot)
A beginner-friendly guide to getting better results from tools like ChatGPT and Claude
Why prompts matter (even if you’re just experimenting)
If you’ve ever typed something into ChatGPT or Claude and thought, “That’s not what I meant,” you’re not alone. Learning how to talk to AI tools is a bit like learning how to ask better questions — it’s not about being fancy or technical, it’s about being clear.
The good news? You don’t need special jargon or insider knowledge. You just need a few simple strategies to get the AI working for you instead of confusing you.
A prompt is just a set of instructions
Think of prompting as giving directions to a very enthusiastic assistant who doesn’t read minds. The clearer your instructions, the better the result. You don’t need perfect grammar or full sentences — you just need to explain what you want, who it’s for, and how you want it delivered.
Use the C.O.A.T. method to write a better prompt
If you’re stuck, try this simple structure:
Context: Who are you and what are you trying to do?
Objective: What result are you hoping for?
Action: What do you want the AI to actually do?
Tone: How should it sound (friendly, formal, concise)?
Example:
I’m a project manager writing an update for stakeholders. Can you write a short, professional summary of the project’s current status and next steps?
Prompt examples for different roles
Sometimes it helps to see how others are using AI. Here are a few examples by role:
Admin support
"Help me write a polite but firm email to remind a colleague about overdue documents. Keep it under 150 words."
Marketing assistant
"Give me five social media captions for a post about our upcoming event. The tone should be friendly and encouraging. Each should be under 20 words."
Teacher
"Rewrite this lesson plan to suit a group of Year 9 students. Add one interactive activity."
Project manager
"Summarise this meeting transcript into key decisions, actions, and next steps. Present it as dot points."
Job seeker
"Edit my resume summary to make it sound more confident and aligned to admin roles. Keep it under 100 words."
Prompt examples for personal use
AI isn’t just for work. You can use it for all kinds of everyday things:
Sewing blogger
"Suggest some fun and practical blog post titles about planning a handmade wardrobe for spring. Keep them beginner-friendly."
Planning a party
"Give me a checklist for hosting a casual 50th birthday dinner at home for 20 people. Include setup, food and clean-up."
Learning a new skill
"Create a 4-week beginner guitar practice plan with 15-minute daily sessions. Include tips for building finger strength."
Getting back into fitness
"Design a gentle weekly movement routine for someone with arthritis and low fitness. Prioritise low-impact options."
Tips for getting better results
Add word limits or structure (e.g. “in dot points”, “in under 100 words”)
Mention your audience (e.g. “for a group of beginner crafters”)
Say what’s wrong with a result (“Try again, but make it more casual”)
Treat it like a conversation — not a one-shot command
AI gets better when you get clearer.
Clear prompts + clear answers = a perfect fit.
Try this today
Open your favourite AI tool and give it this prompt:
I’m new to using AI. Can you give me five practical examples of how I could use you to make everyday tasks faster or easier? Format your reply in dot points and keep it friendly.
Then tweak the wording and try again. Play around. You’ll learn what works best for you.
Have you tried a prompt that worked surprisingly well? Share it in the comments and help out someone else.