How to Talk to AI
(And Actually Get Useful Answers)

The garbage in, garbage out problem

Here's the most common experience someone has when they first try AI: They open ChatGPT, type something like "help me with my resume," get a generic three-paragraph response that barely applies to their situation, and close the tab thinking "I don't see what all the fuss is about."

What went wrong? Not the AI. The prompt.

AI tools are powerful but not psychic. They respond to exactly what you give them. A vague request gets a vague answer. A specific, context-rich request gets a specific, genuinely useful answer. The gap between those two experiences is enormous — and completely within your control.

Think of prompting like briefing a very capable contractor. The more clearly you explain the job, the materials, and the outcome you want, the better the result. Show up with "I want something done to my kitchen" and you'll get confused looks.

The good news: this is a learnable skill, and the core of it fits in a single formula.

The 3-part formula: Role, Task, Context

Almost every effective prompt includes three elements, even when the person writing it doesn't realize it. Once you see the pattern, you can't unsee it.

Before and after: see the difference

Let's look at three common scenarios and see what happens when you apply the formula.

Scenario 1: Writing help

Scenario 2: Research and explanation

Scenario 3: Everyday life help

The follow-up is where the magic happens

Here's the thing most new AI users miss: the first response is rarely the best one. AI conversation is iterative. You don't have to accept the first answer — you can push it, redirect it, and refine it until you get exactly what you need.

Think of it less like a vending machine (put in request, get one answer) and more like a conversation with a thoughtful collaborator. Some of the most useful things you can say after a first response:

Iteration is not a sign that the AI failed — it's how the tool is supposed to work. Professional AI users rarely use first-draft responses directly. They treat the first answer as a starting point.

A few more things that change results dramatically

Ask for a specific format

If you want bullet points, say so. If you want a table, ask for a table. If you want it in under 100 words, specify that. AI defaults to flowing paragraphs unless you tell it otherwise. Specifying format is one of the easiest improvements you can make.

Tell it what you don't want

Negative constraints are powerful. "Don't use bullet points." "Don't use corporate jargon." "Don't suggest anything that costs money." "Don't give me medical advice — just help me form better questions for my doctor." Constraints narrow the output toward what you actually need.

Give it examples

If you want something written in a particular style, show it an example. "Here's an email I wrote last month — match this tone." Or "Here's the kind of explanation I find helpful — apply that style to this topic." AI is very good at matching patterns when you provide them.