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Improving Your Writing Prompts in Chat GPT: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

cheap retro space age 1950s sci-fi robot writing on laptop

By Vincent Bythe

Writing prompts play a crucial role in generating engaging and meaningful conversations with AI models like Chat GPT. Creating effective prompts can enhance the quality of responses and ensure a more productive interaction. In this tutorial, we will explore some practical steps to improve your writing prompts and provide examples along the way. Let’s get started!

Whether you’re using the model for creative writing, seeking information, or simply having a stimulating conversation, crafting effective prompts is essential.

Well-crafted prompts not only enhance the quality of responses but also ensure a more productive interaction overall. In this tutorial, we will explore practical steps to improve your writing prompts and provide examples along the way, enabling you to make the most out of your conversations with Chat GPT.

To begin, have a clear objective in mind before creating a prompt. What do you hope to achieve with your interaction? Are you looking for imaginative storytelling, insightful analysis, or informative responses?

Defining your objective will help you tailor your prompts accordingly. For example, if you want to encourage personal anecdotes, a prompt asking about memorable childhood experiences may be appropriate.

Conversely, if you’re seeking an analytical discussion, a prompt exploring the pros and cons of a particular subject would be more suitable. By understanding your objective, you can ensure that your prompts align with your desired outcome.

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Tips for Optimizing Your Writing with ChatGPT

Step 1: Understand Your Objective

Before crafting a prompt, it’s essential to have a clear objective in mind. Determine what you want to achieve with your interaction. Do you seek information, creative output, or a specific type of response? Defining your objective will help you tailor your prompts accordingly.

Example: “Tell me about your favorite vacation spot and why it holds a special place in your heart.”

Step 2: Be Clear and Specific

Clarity is key when writing prompts. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that can confuse the AI model. Instead, provide specific details and instructions to guide the response in the desired direction.

Example: “Describe the challenges you faced while learning to play a musical instrument and how you overcame them.”

Step 3: Use Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions encourage the AI model to provide detailed and thoughtful responses. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” to stimulate deeper and more engaging conversations.

Example: “What are the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in healthcare?”

Step 4: Incorporate Context and Background Information

Providing context can help set the stage for the AI model and provide a foundation for its response. Introduce relevant background information to frame the conversation and guide the AI’s understanding.

Example: “You are an astronaut aboard a spaceship traveling to a distant planet. Describe your thoughts and emotions as you approach the unknown.”

Step 5: Include Multiple Prompts or Sub-questions

To encourage more comprehensive and diverse responses, consider including multiple prompts or sub-questions within a single message. This technique can help explore different aspects of a topic and generate a more engaging conversation.

Example: “What are your favorite hobbies? How do you think they have influenced your personal growth and development?”

Step 6: Inject Personality and Creativity

Adding a touch of personality and creativity to your prompts can make the conversation more enjoyable and stimulating. Experiment with different writing styles, themes, or scenarios to keep the AI model engaged and inspired.

Example: “Imagine you are a time traveler visiting the ancient civilization of Egypt. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells you encounter.”

Step 7: Iteration and Experimentation

Don’t be afraid to iterate and experiment with your prompts. Test different approaches and observe the AI model’s responses. Analyze the results and refine your prompts based on the feedback you receive.

Example: “If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? How do you envision this change impacting society?”

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Clarity Is King

Clarity is key when it comes to writing prompts for AI models. Avoid using vague or ambiguous language that can confuse the AI and lead to irrelevant or nonsensical responses.

Instead, strive for clear and specific instructions that guide the AI’s response in the desired direction. For instance, if you want the AI to describe a fictional character, provide specific details such as their appearance, personality traits, or background.

The more precise your instructions, the more likely you are to receive a tailored and engaging response. Remember, the AI model relies heavily on the information provided, so be explicit in what you’re asking for.

Open-ended questions are highly effective in eliciting detailed and thoughtful responses from AI models. These questions require more than a simple “yes” or “no” answer, encouraging the AI to delve deeper into a topic or provide a nuanced perspective.

Open-ended prompts stimulate more engaging conversations and allow the AI to showcase its creativity and analytical capabilities. For example, instead of asking, “Do you like dogs?” you can ask, “What do you appreciate most about dogs and how do they enhance people’s lives?”

This prompts the AI to reflect on the qualities of dogs and their impact on human well-being, fostering a richer conversation.

Provide Context and Relevant Details

Crafting effective prompts for Chat GPT involves incorporating context and background information. By providing relevant details, you can set the stage for the AI’s response and establish a foundation of understanding. Introduce the necessary context that shapes the conversation, whether it’s a hypothetical scenario, a specific time period, or a particular setting. 

For example, if you want the AI to generate a narrative set in ancient Greece, provide a brief description of the historical context, the prevalent mythology, or the societal norms of that era. This contextual information helps the AI model generate responses that align with the given framework, resulting in more immersive and accurate interactions.

Final Thoughts On Prompting With ChatGPT

You can improve your writing prompts in Chat GPT and foster more engaging and meaningful conversations, by following these step-by-step guidelines.

Be clear, specific, and open-ended, while injecting personality and experimenting with different styles. With practice, you’ll develop a knack for crafting prompts that elicit fascinating responses from the AI model. Happy chatting!

AI assistant speaking:

Bonus: 21 ChatGPT prompts to inspire your writing

Written by ChatGPT – completely alone, completely unattached 🙂 The creepy illustrations are, as always, created with great love and precision by the AI text-to-image generator, DiffusionBee.

Do you ever get stuck when writing and struggle to come up with new ideas? Well, the good news is that you’re not alone!

Fortunately, ChatGPT is here to help you overcome writer’s block and boost your creativity. In this bonus mini-guide, we’ll explore 20 ChatGPT prompts that can inspire you and help you enhance your writing instantly. So, let’s dive in!

Here are 21 prompts you can give ChatGPT to help inspire your writing:

  1. “Give me 5 potential blog post topic ideas around the theme of productivity.” Explain why these ideas are relevant and useful. This can help you brainstorm topics if you have a blog.

  2. “Suggest 3 fictional character names and descriptions for the main character of a fantasy story.” Getting character name and profile ideas can kickstart story writing.

  3. “Provide a one paragraph book summary for a mystery novel about a private detective.” Summarizing a plot can spark new storylines.

  4. “List 10 random, interesting objects.” Unusual objects can fuel descriptive writing exercises and story settings.

  5. “Give me 5 famous quotes about passion.” Quotes can serve as writing prompts or get you thinking more philosophically.

  6. “Help me describe eating an ice cream cone using vivid sensory details.” Sensory detail exercises strengthen descriptive writing abilities.

  7. “Give me 3 story titles and premises for children’s picture books.” Titles and premises can catalyze new kid lit ideas.

  8. “Provide 5 different metaphors for frustration.” Metaphors inspire creative ways of expressing emotions in writing.

  9. “Suggest a funny tweet wondering about something weird in society.” Humorous observations make great writing prompts.

  10. “Give me a two line rhyming couplet about nature.” Rhyming verses get creativity flowing and teach poetry skills.

  11. “List 7 random adjectives.” Adjectives spark ideas for more vivid descriptions.

  12. “Give me 5 fictional business ideas for stories.” Fictional startups and products can inspire worldbuilding.

  13. “Help me write a logline for a sci-fi movie about time travel.” Loglines condense stories into compelling concepts.

  14. “Provide a hopeful message of encouragement in 5 sentences.” Uplifting messages make inspiring writing exercises.

  15. “Suggest 3 silly debate topics I could write a persuasive essay on.” Exploring silly topics flexes argumentative writing skills.

  16. “Give me a list of 7 things that describe a helpful teacher.” Descriptive lists build writing detail rapidly.

  17. “Provide 5 opening lines for a thriller novel.” Great opening lines get stories started strongly.

  18. “Suggest 5 fictional product names for household items.” Imaginary product naming sparks ideas and humor.

  19. “Give me 7 steps for washing clothes as if explaining to aliens.” Explaining everyday activities in new ways stretches writing creativity.

  20. “List 3 story conflicts between unlikely enemies like a flower and bee.” Odd rivalries can lead to unique story ideas.

  21. “Suggest a metaphor comparing code to something unexpected like art.” Unexpected metaphors teach seeing things in new ways.


Using ChatGPT prompts is an effective way to overcome writer’s block and stimulate your creativity. These prompts are a great tool for writers of all levels and can help you enhance your writing instantly.

Whether you’re a professional writer or just starting, these prompts can inspire you and help you explore new ideas. So, why not give them a try and see how they can improve your writing? 

Top view of a laptop with multiple chat bubbles coming from the screen, free ai copywriting assistant, artificial intelligence communication concept

21 prompts you shoul shouldn’t give ChatGPT to inspire your writing and avoid writer’s block

Writer’s block can be frustrating. You stare at the blank page or screen, willing the words to come, but nothing happens. When this happens, it’s tempting to turn to ChatGPT for inspiration. However, ChatGPT has limitations on the types of prompts it can respond to. Here are 21 prompts you shouldn’t give ChatGPT if you want it to help inspire your writing:

  1. “Write a new poem for me about love.” While ChatGPT can generate text, it does not actually create original poetry or stories. Giving it a broad directive like this will likely result in plagiarized or nonsensical content.

  2. “Give me a detailed plot outline for a new young adult dystopian novel.” ChatGPT cannot develop intricate fictional plots or characters. Any outline it provides will be basic and lack originality.

  3. “Come up with 50 fantasy character names for my new epic series.” Unique name creation requires true creativity that ChatGPT does not possess. The names it suggests will be odd or unoriginal.

  4. “Help me describe what it feels like to fall in love.” ChatGPT cannot experience human emotions and sensations. Any description it provides will be clinical and inaccurate.

  5. “Generate lyrics for a new pop song about heartbreak.” Original lyrics require songwriting skills ChatGPT lacks. The lyrics will be poorly structured and nonsensical.

  6. “Give me a new philosophy on life in 10 profound statements.” ChatGPT cannot provide wisdom or original philosophical ideas. Any statements it provides will be vague platitudes.

  7. “What’s the perfect analogy to describe raising a child?” ChatGPT cannot make insightful connections between disparate concepts. Its analogies will be forced or nonsensical.

  8. “Write a short story that will make me cry.” ChatGPT cannot purposefully elicit complex human emotions like sadness. Any story it writes will lack emotional impact.

  9. “Help me brainstorm ideas for a new YA fantasy trilogy better than Harry Potter.” ChatGPT cannot judge creative concepts or provide commercially targeted ideas. Its premises will be unoriginal.

  10. “I need a flawless plot twist for the climax of my mystery thriller.” ChatGPT cannot deliver perfectly crafted surprises. Its plot twists will be predictable or not properly set up.

  11. “Suggest three metaphors describing how climate change threatens humanity.” Metaphors require grasping abstract connections between concepts. ChatGPT’s metaphors will be odd or grandeous.

  12. “Give me a unique simile comparing a rainbow to something unexpected.” Novel figurative language requires human creativity. ChatGPT’s similes will rely on overused rainbow descriptors.

  13. “Help me write a sentimental, humorous maid of honor speech.” ChatGPT cannot replicate authentic human wit, emotion, or personal connections needed for a speech. Its content will be generic and fall flat.

  14. “Generate a rhyming poem for kids about animals that contains a moral lesson.” ChatGPT cannot create child-appropriate content with layered meaning. Its poems will have forced rhymes and lack a cohesive theme.

  15. “I need a brilliant idea for a billion-dollar startup.” ChatGPT cannot match human entrepreneurial imagination and commercial insight. Its startup ideas will be impractical or unoriginal.

  16. “Give me an inspiring two-minute speech on achieving your dreams to deliver at my graduation.” ChatGPT cannot compose an authentic, emotionally stirring motivational speech. Its content will be filled with clichés.

  17. “Help me write soulful song lyrics about social justice and equality.” ChatGPT lacks human perspective on social issues. Any lyrics it generates will come across as preachy and disingenuous.

  18. “Describe the perfect first date I could take my crush on.” ChatGPT cannot replace human social insight and emotional intelligence needed for romantic advice. Its date ideas will be awkward.

  19. “Pitch me an idea for a blockbuster movie screenplay better than anything on Netflix.” ChatGPT cannot match creative vision needed for cinematic storytelling that resonates. Its premises will be derivative.

  20. “Give me a step-by-step guide to solving climate change.” ChatGPT does not have the specialized knowledge required to solve complex global issues. Its climate change plans will be impractical.

  21. “What should I say to console my grieving friend who just lost a parent?” ChatGPT lacks human empathy and cannot provide sincerely comforting words. Its messages will seem robotic and hollow.

While ChatGPT can generate human-like text, it ultimately lacks true understanding, creativity, and emotion. Turn to it for basic information, but avoid relying on it too much to inspire your writing. Your own imagination, experiences, and heart will always be your best sources of inspiration.

About the article

Artificify.me is a blog designed to inspire and encourage creative professionals to incorporate AI into their workflow. We make creative AI available to all, through the use of user-friendly guides, explainers, tips and tools.

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About the author

Vincent Bythe
Vincent Bythe is a non-fiction author and copywriter with a passion for all things AI.

He spends his time writing and blogging, laughing at his own jokes, as well as experimenting with AI technology to improve his creative output.

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