Crafting Clear Instructions › From Vague to Clear: Examples

Let's look at several before-and-after examples to see these principles in action.

Vague: "Python loops"

Clear: "Explain the difference between for loops and while loops in Python, with a simple example of when to use each."

Why this works: The vague version could mean anything. Do you want to learn about loops? See examples? Understand when to use them? The clear version specifies exactly what you want: a comparison, with examples, focused on practical usage.

Vague: "Write about coffee"

Clear: "Write a 100-word product description for a medium-roast coffee from Colombia. Focus on its smooth flavor and chocolate notes. Target audience: coffee enthusiasts shopping online."

Why this works: "Write about coffee" could produce anything from a history essay to a poem. The clear version specifies the length, the product details, the key selling points, and the audience.

Vague: "Help with my code"

Clear: "This Python function should return the sum of even numbers in a list, but it's returning the sum of all numbers. Can you identify the bug?"

Why this works: The vague version doesn't give the model anything to work with. The clear version explains what the code should do, what it's actually doing, and what kind of help you need.