Learn how to chat with ChatGPT to give you the best results
August 6, 2025 · Last updated on August 7, 2025
What is a prompt and why does it matter?
A prompt is the question or instruction you type or share with ChatGPT to start a conversation or get a response. It is usually text, but it can also be an image, audio, or even sharing a file. ChatGPT is powered by a series of Large Language Models (LLMs), which are AI systems trained on massive amounts of text to predict and generate human-like language. Because LLMs do not "know" things in the way people do, how you phrase your prompt plays a big role in shaping the response. Your prompt guides the model so it can generate a helpful reply.
Prompt engineering
Prompt engineering is the process of designing and refining your input in a way that helps ChatGPT give the best possible answer. It’s about figuring out how to ask so you get the result you want, whether that’s a clear summary, comprehensive report, or detailed analysis.
Getting started with prompting
ChatGPT works best when you give it clear instructions. A good prompt helps the model understand what you need so it can give you helpful, accurate answers. There’s no single “perfect” way to prompt. Think of it as a simple conversation with a colleague. You can always adjust and add details along the way. In fact, experimentation and iteration and learning what outputs you like and dislike is the best way to learn how AI can be useful to you.
Simple steps for writing a good prompt
Outline the taskBe clear about what you need ChatGPT to do.→ Example: Summarize last quarter’s sales results and suggest marketing strategies for next quarter.
Give helpful context Add any background (or documentation) that will help.
→ Example: Use data from our Q2 sales report.
Describe your ideal output Tell ChatGPT how you’d like the response.
→ Example: Write it as a formal executive summary.
Sample input:
Sample output:
Sample prompts
The below are examples. Open ChatGPT and adapt a prompt for your role.
Draft a two-paragraph announcement email for our upcoming product launch using the feature list and positioning notes in the attached launch brief.Format the email with a short subject line, an engaging opening sentence, and a clear call to action.
Create a one-page overview of our updated parental-leave policy for employees,based on the policy document linked below and highlight any changes from the 2023 version.Present the overview in plain language with section headings and bullet points.
Summarize the key takeaways from this week’s sprint retrospective from the attached meeting transcript and suggest two process improvements. Deliver the summary as numbered action items followed by a short paragraph explaining the impact of each.
More helpful tips
Break big tasks into smaller steps
If your request has lots of parts, try splitting it up. This makes it easier for ChatGPT to give clear, focused answers.
Be specific, but keep it simple
The more detail you give, the better the response, but focus on what really matters. Too much extra information can sometimes make the answer less helpful.
Ask for options
If you want choices, just say so.
Example: “Suggest two different ways to present this report.”
Set priorities
Let ChatGPT know what is most important to you, for example accuracy, creativity, speed or something else.
Guide the tone and format
Tell ChatGPT how you want the response to sound and look.
“Summarize the performance of our latest social media campaign and suggest three strategies to improve engagement, using insights from our Q2 analytics report. Present the ideas as bullet points for a team meeting.”
Sales
“Analyze last quarter’s sales pipeline and identify key bottlenecks, drawing on data from the CRM export, and write a concise report for senior management.”
HR
“Draft an internal announcement about our new remote work policy, incorporating details from the HR policy document, and write it as a friendly, informative email.”
Finance
“Review our monthly expense report, highlight any unusual variances using the latest budget spreadsheet, and provide a short briefing note for leadership.”
Product
“Summarize feedback from recent user surveys on our mobile app, drawing on the survey results from March, and write a report for the product team with key themes and next steps.”
IT
“Outline a plan for improving system uptime based on the last six months of incident reports, and present it as a high-level strategy memo.”
Engineering
“Summarize recent code review feedback for the onboarding module, based on notes from the last sprint review, and provide a list of actionable items for the team.”
