Background is everything the AI cannot know and you do. Giving it is often the quickest way to a better answer.
Who the text is for, what happened before, what you have already tried, and why you need it. One or two sentences are usually enough.
Details that do not change the answer. The more unrelated material you add, the more the AI has to sort through.
'Write a reminder' is vague. 'Write a reminder to students who have not handed in their form; the deadline is Friday' gives the AI what it needs.
If the answer depends on a document, an email or a list, paste it in or describe it. The AI cannot read what you have not given it.
Our free page 'How to prompt better' has a copyable template for the four questions: goal, background, limits and done when. Open How to prompt better
Last reviewed: 2026-11-02
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