Writing clear prompts

A prompt is the input or question you give to an GenAI system to generate a response. Writing clear prompts helps you get better, more accurate responses from GenAI tools.

Examples of effective prompts:

• “Summarise this article about social media and mental health in under 150 words. What are the main ethical issues it talks about?"

• “What are three ways people criticise fast fashion and its impact on the environment?”

• “What are five better words I could use instead of ‘inclusive’ in an essay about equality in education?”

TIP: Create your own prompt library of tasks you use regularly – it saves time and improves results.

When using GenAI tools, always be mindful of data privacy. Only input content that's appropriate to share and doesn't include information that's:

• sensitive
• personal
• confidential
• copyrighted.

Prompt Model for Effective Gen AI Use

When using GenAI tools, clear prompts are essential for getting high-quality results. The simple PREP/EDIT model can help you structure and refine your prompts:

The PREP/EDIT Framework

Once you’ve drafted a prompt, PREP/EDIT helps refine it further.

PREP

• Prompt – Define exactly what you're asking for.
• Role – Specify who or what the GenAI should “be.”
• Explicit – Provide detailed instructions.
• Parameters – Set any limits (e.g. word count, style, format).

EDIT

• Evaluate – Is the prompt clear and relevant?
• Determine – Is the request accurate and appropriate?
• Identify – Could the prompt introduce bias or errors?
• Transform – How could the prompt be improved?

This model ensures your prompts aren't only clear but also:

• ethical
• inclusive
• well targeted.