Format like a pro — Prompt Craft
Tell it the shape of the answer
Most AI answers default to a few paragraphs with bullet points. But you can ask for exactly the shape you need: a table, a checklist, an email ready to send, a slide outline, JSON, a script with timestamps.
The format you ask for is often the difference between "interesting" and "done."
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Tell it the shape of the answer
Most AI answers default to a few paragraphs with bullet points. But you can ask for exactly the shape you need: a table, a checklist, an email ready to send, a slide outline, JSON, a script with timestamps.
The format you ask for is often the difference between "interesting" and "done."
Ask for a table
Weak: Compare iPhone and Pixel cameras.
Strong: Compare the latest iPhone and Pixel cameras in a table with columns: Feature, iPhone, Pixel, Winner. Rows: low light, zoom, video, portrait, editing. Then one sentence: which to buy for a parent who mostly shoots kids indoors.
Why: Columns force a real comparison, and the final sentence forces a decision instead of fence-sitting.
Format dials you can turn
- Length: "under 100 words", "3 bullets max", "one sentence."
- Audience: "explain it to a 12-year-old" or "to a CFO."
- Reading level & tone: "plain English, no jargon, friendly."
- Skip the fluff: "no intro, no summary, just the list."
- Structure: headings, numbered steps, bold key terms, tables.
Part of ✍️ Prompt Craft in the free AI Bootcamp.