Ask better questions
A vague question gets a vague answer. The good news: a clear prompt only needs four things, and working them out is useful thinking in its own right.
Traffic light: green
Asking clearer questions is green. It's a skill that works with teachers and textbooks too.
Context, goal, level, format
| Part | The question it answers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Context | What's the situation? | I'm revising for a science test on the water cycle. |
| Goal | What do you want to be able to do? | I keep mixing up evaporation and condensation. |
| Level | How much do you already know? | I'm 13, and I know the basic diagram. |
| Format | What should the answer look like? | Explain the difference in three sentences, then give me one question to check. |
Upgrade a vague prompt
Explain the water cycle.
I'm 13 and revising for a science test on the water cycle. I keep mixing up evaporation and condensation. Explain the difference in three sentences, then give me one question to check I've got it.
Take something you asked a chatbot recently and rewrite it with all four parts. Then try one more move: end with "Before you answer, ask me any questions you need." It will often ask about something you hadn't thought to say.
A clear prompt is clear thinking
Notice that the goal in the example, "I keep mixing up evaporation and condensation", is something the student had to work out before typing. That's the real benefit. If you can't say what you're stuck on, you're not ready to ask anyone, AI or teacher. Once you can, you're halfway to the answer.
- !Longer isn't better.Four clear parts beat a page of detail.
- !Leave out personal details.Your age and level help. Your full name, school and address don't.
Keep going
One page covers the rules and the safety side of all of this.
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026