Review · module 102 of 155
Review: strong prompts and targeted follow-up questions
Line up the building blocks of a good prompt and a good follow-up question once more.
After this lesson
You build a complete prompt with task, context, format and boundaries, and improve an answer with one targeted follow-up question.
In view · Step by step
From a vague question to a targeted follow-up question
Say what you need and for whom, so that tone and content fit.
Give source facts, a fixed format and what the model must not fill in.
Adjust with one concrete request and state which facts stay the same.
Part 1 of 3 · Task and reader
Your preference for less movement is on. Choose each part yourself.
Four building blocks make a prompt checkable
A strong prompt says what you want (task), what the model should work with (context and source facts), what the result looks like (format) and what is not allowed (boundaries) (lesson 2). Also name the reader: they determine the tone and choice of words. State explicitly what the model should do when information is missing, for example leave a date as unknown. A prohibition works better with an alternative: not just avoid mentioning a price, but also refer to the product information (lesson 50).
Examples, format and steps
With one or two good examples, you show which style or structure you mean (lesson 47). Ask for a fixed format, such as a table with fixed columns, if you want to reuse or compare the result (lesson 48). Split a large task into steps: first gather facts, then a draft, then a check (lesson 46). A role or perspective helps to strike the right tone, but it gives the model no extra knowledge or authority (lesson 49).
Improve in small steps and keep what works
Assess the first answer against your goal and then ask for one concrete change, naming the facts that must stay the same (lessons 11, 51 and 96). That way you see what effect your follow-up question had. After rewriting, check whether the meaning was preserved: from 16:00 is something different from until 16:00 (lesson 97). If a prompt works well, save it as a template with a goal, fields to fill in and an owner in your prompt library (lessons 21, 52 and 53).
New practice example
From explanation to a usable result.
A good prompt gives the task, context, format and limits. A good follow-up question changes one thing and says what stays the same.
Fictional practice situationFictional: a sports club wants a message about changed training times. What is certain: Tuesday from 19:00 to 20:30, starting after the autumn holidays. The exact start date and the coaches have not yet been confirmed.
View a possible solution
This is how it can be done
Write a message for the members of no more than 70 words. Use only: training on Tuesday from 19:00 to 20:30, starting after the autumn holidays. Mention that the exact start date will follow. Do not name any coaches. Follow-up question: make a version for the group chat of no more than 25 words with the same facts.
Why this works
Each building block limits something: the reader determines the tone, the facts determine the content and the limits prevent invented details.
Make it slightly more difficult
Add one example sentence that shows the desired tone. Does the result change, and do the facts stay the same?
Extra practice, at your own pace. You do not need to submit anything. This does not count towards an automatic assessment.
Your workplace · learning by doing
Make something. See what changes.
Checking the AI connection… You can already view the written example.
Present your assignment to Ende.
Read the answer, change one thing, and compare.
Previously held
New version
You remain in control
What do you want to improve in your next attempt?
On this device only. AI answers remain only in this page memory. This is self-review, not a grade.
Why this approach works
Each building block limits something: the reader determines the tone, the facts determine the content and the limits prevent invented details.
A step further
Add one example sentence that shows the desired tone. Does the result change, and do the facts stay the same?
Try & discover · no obligation
Build a prompt and compare the versions
Switch off context and boundaries. Which instructions disappear from your task?
Vague start
Write a customer email.
Your constructed prompt
Write a friendly customer email about changed opening hours.
Not yet explicitly provided: context and source facts, format and target audience, boundaries and control.
This trial works locally with fictitious data and does not count towards your lesson completion. It starts anew with a new lesson or reload.
A prompt to get you started
Help me improve a prompt. My first version: “Write an email about the new opening hours.” Fictional facts: from Monday, open from 9:00 to 17:00, on Wednesdays until 20:00. The start date is not yet known. First ask me about the missing building blocks: reader, format and boundaries. Then create a complete prompt and say which building block each part fills in.
Apply it
Your prompt “Write a post about our event” produces a text with an invented date and a structure that is too long.
Which approach best fits this situation?
- Add the known facts, the reader, a maximum length and the limit “do not invent a date”, and test again.
- Ask “make it better” until the date disappears.
- Use the text and correct the date later if someone responds.
With JavaScript, you can check your approach and receive immediate feedback.
Test your insight
Which follow-up question makes the effect of your adjustment most visible?
- Do it all differently and better.
- Make the text shorter, but keep the times and the open start date.
- Write five new versions in different styles at once.
Extra practice
Take a prompt you used recently. Mark the task, context, format and boundaries. Add what is missing and then test one targeted follow-up question.
Task: write an email to customers. Context: from Monday 9:00–17:00, Wednesday until 20:00; start date unknown. Reader: regular customers. Format: no more than 80 words, one paragraph. Boundaries: do not invent a date or extra service. Follow-up question: make it shorter and keep both times and the open start date.
