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Level 2 · Prompt Basics

Ask for the form your answer should take

Ask AI for the kind of answer you need. You can ask for a list, steps, a table, a note, or a draft.

~6 min Skill: Useful Details Lesson 3 of 8
Clear asks get better answers!
Buddy, your friendly guide
Step 1 of 5
One more useful detail

Last time you added facts. Now pick the form.

Last lesson, you added helpful facts to your ask. Here is one easy thing to add next.

You can tell ChatGPT the form to use. The form is the way it lays out the answer. A list, for example, is much easier to read than one long paragraph.

Use this trick when an answer feels too long or hard to follow. The form tells ChatGPT how to set the answer out for you.

A list5 dinner ideas, one per line
Stepsshort steps in the right order
A tabletwo choices side by side
A short notea few words you can send

Keep it to a small, safe task. Leave out anything private.

Never share private details. That means names, addresses, account numbers, or health facts. Do not paste medical records or legal papers. For money, health, legal, or big choices, ask a real person you trust.

Buddy, your friendly guide
Buddy says

It is the same plain ask as before. You just add the form you want at the end.