- ChatGPT on your phone, computer or at chatgpt.com (the same tips work for Copilot, Gemini and others)
Start a new chat
Look for New chat (often a pencil or “+” icon). Starting fresh for each new topic keeps answers focused.
Say what you want
Begin with the task: “Write…”, “Explain…”, “Give me 3 ideas for…”, “Summarize…”.
Add the details that matter
Who is it for? What's the situation? Anything to avoid? “Give me 3 easy dinner ideas for a family of four, ready in 30 minutes, no nuts.”
Say how you want the answer
Length, tone or layout: “in 5 short bullet points,” “friendly and casual,” “explain it like I'm new to computers.”
Read it, then check it
AI can sound sure and still be wrong. Double-check facts, numbers, dates, prices and anything health- or money-related with an official source.
⚠️ Keep private details out. Don't paste passwords, card or bank numbers, your Social Security number or medical records. Ask the general question instead.Keep the conversation going
You can reply to improve it: “Shorter.” “More casual.” “Why?” “Give me a different option.” “Ask me questions first if you need more info.”
💡 Try these starters: “Explain what a router does in plain English.” “Help me write a friendly note asking my neighbor to water my plants June 3–10.” “What questions should I ask before hiring a roofer?”
Want help writing one? Use our free Prompt Creator to build a ready-to-use prompt and copy it into ChatGPT. Want to practice? The Prompt Builder game lets you build a great prompt piece by piece.
Related game: Prompt Builder. Related explainer: What is AI, and how do I actually use it? .