Give direction to what you want to ask.
A 10-minute lesson at the Order Counter: the order that comes back three times, the ticket pad of the three requirements —what to do, what to know, how to deliver— and the APPROVED stamp that only falls with all three.
How to write the AI what it needs to hear: what to do, what to know, and how to deliver — so it stops guessing.
The case
The courier doesn't guess: he delivers what the order says. And you write the order.
Ten minutes at the counter: the order that comes back three times, the three-requirement ticket pad, and the stamp that only falls when the request is complete.
What you will learn
- Recognize the three requirements of a useful AI request
- Turn a vague request into a complete order
- Check whether a response meets the requested format
The three-requirement ticket pad
A useful order isn't long: it's complete. What to do (the task), what to know (the context), how to deliver (the format). The APPROVED stamp only falls with all three.
What to do
The concrete task, in one sentence.
What to know
The context so it doesn't invent.
How to deliver
The shape of the result, so you can check it.
Frequently asked questions
What should a good prompt have?
Three requirements: what to do (the concrete task), what to know (the context) and how to deliver (the format). With all three, the AI stops guessing.
Is a longer prompt always better?
No. A prompt is useful when it removes ambiguity, not when it piles up words. Two or three lines with the three requirements work.
How do I improve a vague AI request?
Start with the task in one sentence, add the context it needs so it doesn't invent, and close with the exact format you want.
Test yourself: Quick quiz: the order that leaves the counter
Which of these orders can leave the counter without the courier calling to ask?
Correct answer: «Summarize this report for a 20-minute meeting: 5 points, ending with next steps.»
The second comes with all three requirements stamped: what to do, with what context, in what format. The first and third send the package back.
«Explain photosynthesis for 12-year-old students.» Which requirement is missing from the pad?
Correct answer: How to deliver: the response format.
You said what to do and what to know. The shape is missing — five bullets and one analogy, say — to make the response verifiable.
Which requirement tells you for real whether the summary was well done?
Correct answer: That it doesn't exceed five points and closes with three concrete actions.
A concrete format can be checked against the order. 'Amazing' is an opinion; five points and three actions is a check.
The pocket rule — Before sending a prompt, run it through the pad: did I say what to do? What should it know? How do I want it delivered? Three stamps and it ships APPROVED.
What you take away
A complete dispatch order: concrete task, minimal context, verifiable format.