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Technique

Beginner

Instruction prompting

Write clear, explicit, positive instructions — action, scope, constraints, format — so the AI knows exactly what done looks like.

What it is

Instruction prompting is the practice of writing explicit, unambiguous directions for the model: what to do, what to include, what to avoid, and how to format the result. Instead of hinting at what you want, you state it, the way you'd write a clear brief for a capable new colleague.

Modern AI assistants are trained to follow instructions, so the clarity of your instructions directly shapes the quality of the output.

When to use it

  • Any task with specific requirements for length, tone, structure, or content
  • Outputs that will be reused or pasted elsewhere without editing
  • Tasks with several parts that are easy for the model to skip
  • When previous answers ignored part of what you wanted

How it works

Why it works

Ambiguity forces the model to guess, and its guesses default to the most common interpretation. Clear instructions remove the guessing. A helpful mental test: could a smart new colleague with no background complete this correctly on the first try? If not, the instruction needs more detail.

Principles of good instructions

  1. Lead with an action verb. "Rewrite," "List," "Compare," "Draft."
  2. Be specific about scope. "The three biggest risks," not "some risks."
  3. Say what to do, not only what not to do. "Use plain words a 12-year-old knows" works better than "Don't be too technical."
  4. Quantify where possible. "Under 100 words," "5 bullet points," "one sentence per item."
  5. Number multi-part tasks so none get skipped.
  6. Explain the why for unusual rules. "Keep it under 160 characters because it's a text message" helps the model make sensible trade-offs.
Before

Make this email better and not so long, and maybe friendlier?

After

Rewrite the email below so that it: 1. Is under 120 words 2. Opens with the main request in the first sentence 3. Sounds friendly but professional (it's to a client we work with often) 4. Ends with a clear deadline: Friday, 5 pm Keep all dates and numbers exactly as they are. Email: """ [paste email] """

The improved version turns three vague wishes into four checkable requirements, and protects the facts that must not change.

Order and structure

Put the main instruction first, supporting details next, and pasted material last (inside delimiters). For long prompts, use short headings or bullet lists; they help the model as much as they help you.

Tip: Re-read your prompt and underline every word like "good," "better," "some," or "nice." Replace each one with something measurable or concrete.

Note: Even clear instructions aren't followed perfectly every time. Check outputs against your requirements, especially counts and word limits.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Start with an action verb that names the core task.

  2. 2

    Define the scope: what exactly to cover and what to leave out.

  3. 3

    Convert vague wishes into measurable requirements (counts, lengths, specific elements).

  4. 4

    Number the requirements if there are more than two.

  5. 5

    State the output format and anything that must stay unchanged.

  6. 6

    Check the result against each requirement and tighten any that were missed.

Weak vs strong

Weak prompt
Can you help with my presentation? It's not very good and needs more stuff.
Why it falls short: "Help," "not very good," and "more stuff" are all undefined. The model doesn't know the topic, audience, what's wrong, or what to produce.
Strong prompt
Create an outline for a 10-minute presentation to our team about switching from email to a shared task board. For each of 6 slides, give: a slide title (max 8 words), 3 bullet points, and one sentence of speaker notes. Slide 1 should state the problem; the last slide should list next steps with owners left as [NAME]. Avoid jargon; the audience isn't technical.
Why it works: The task, audience, length, number of slides, per-slide structure, and opening and closing requirements are all explicit and checkable.

Practical use cases

  • Editing and rewriting

    Shorten, restructure, or change the tone of text while preserving specific facts and figures.

  • Templates and documents

    Generate agendas, checklists, or reports with an exact section structure every time.

  • Spreadsheet formulas

    Ask for "a Google Sheets formula that sums column C only where column A says 'Paid'," including which sheet and range.

  • Study materials

    Create 10 flashcards with a question on one line and a one-sentence answer below, from the notes you paste.

Practice exercise

Vague-to-specific drill. Rewrite this prompt with at least four numbered, checkable requirements:

"Write a nice post about our charity bake sale."

Then run it and check every requirement. If any were missed, adjust the wording (not just the volume) and try again.

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