Good prompting is a skill anyone can learn. These AI prompting tips from the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) show how to turn a vague request into a clear instruction that gets useful results from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and Grok.
A strong prompt gives the AI a clear goal, enough context, and a desired format. In short, the more specific you are, the more useful the response.
Seven AI prompting tips
These AI prompting tips work across almost every AI assistant. Therefore, you can apply them whether you use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or Grok.
- Be specific. State exactly what you want, who it is for, and why. For example, ask for “a friendly 100-word email reminding clients of a payment” rather than “an email.”
- Give context. Add the details that matter, such as your industry, audience, or constraints. As a result, the model has what it needs to respond well.
- Assign a role. Tell the AI who to act as, for instance “act as a high school science teacher” or “act as a small business bookkeeper.”
- Show an example. Paste a sample of the tone or format you want. Models follow examples closely.
- Ask for a format. Request a table, a bulleted list, or a set word count. This keeps the output usable.
- Iterate. If the first answer misses, reply with a quick fix like “make it shorter” or “use a more formal tone.”
- Review the output. Always check AI results for accuracy, tone, and bias before you share or publish them.
Protect sensitive information
Never paste confidential, student, employee, customer, or patient-identifying information into a public AI tool. Instead, remove names and personal details, or use an approved, secured tool for sensitive work. When in doubt, leave it out.
Prompting guides from the major AI providers
Want to go deeper? These short, general guides from the major AI providers explain how to write better prompts in everyday language, with no coding required.
Prompt engineering best practices for ChatGPT, written for everyday users.
How to get started with Claude and ask clearly with the right context.
Get better results with Copilot prompting, explained in plain language.
Practice with MAIN’s prompting guides
Ready to practice? MAIN offers free, role-specific prompting guides with copy-and-paste examples. In addition, our free courses build the foundational skills behind these AI prompting tips.
- Browse all MAIN prompting guides
- Small business prompts, healthcare, K-12, higher education, and manufacturing
- MAIN free AI courses
Have a question about prompting or AI adoption? Contact MAIN.