Mistake to Avoid: Not Setting a Length in Your Prompt
A visual tip: say the length in the Format part of your prompt, like under 120 words, instead of trimming a 300-word reply by hand.
The guide in text
The mistake
Not setting a length in your prompt
Then you trim a 300-word reply down by hand.
Do this instead
Say it in the Format part: under 120 words, friendly and plain, subject line first, then the email.
The full definition: What is the Role, Context, Task, Format prompt framework? in the AI glossary, with an example from a free lesson, common confusions and tips.
Businesses and people in the examples are made up. The steps, screens and wording come from the free lesson and the Stepthrough glossary and prompt library.
Do it yourself, free
Prompt Writing 101: Role, Context, Task, Format. Ask ChatGPT for the same customer email twice, once vaguely and once with a four-part prompt, and see exactly why structure gets a better answer. You do every step yourself in a practice copy of ChatGPT, it checks your work as you go, and “Do it for me” finishes any step you get stuck on. Free, and nothing touches your real accounts.
Start the free lessonRelated terms
Plain-English definitions, each with an example from a free lesson.
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