GenAI Field Guide

Getting started

Prompting that survives contact

A good prompt tells the model who reads the output, what "good" looks like, how long and in what format, and then asks what it assumed.

≈2 min
Reader Who will use this? Example What does good looklike? Format How long and inwhat shape? Source What should it relyon? Then ask for assumptions Make the hidden choices visible
A prompt that survives contact: reader, example, format, source, then the assumptions.

The four things to include

Include Example
Who reads it and what they will do with it "This goes to the N3 as a one-page decision brief; she will approve or redirect."
An example of good (paste one) "Match the tone and structure of this memo: …"
Length and format "Under 250 words, three headed paragraphs, no bullets."
The source it should work from "Use only the attached instruction. If something isn't in it, say so."

Then, at the end: "List the assumptions you made." You will catch most problems in that list.

A before and after

Before: "Write a memo about the new leave policy."

After:

Draft a one-page memo to all hands announcing the leave-request changes in the attached instruction. Reader: E-3 to O-4, skimming on a phone. Plain language, three short sections (what changed, what you do now, who to ask), under 250 words. Use only the attached text; if a detail isn't in it, write [CONFIRM]. Then list every assumption you made.