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ChatGPT Quick Start Guide

Learn the basics. Ask better questions. Get better answers.

Asking Good Questions (ChatGPT)

Learn the structure of effective prompts—then iterate: Ask → Review → Revise.

🌟 Why asking good questions matters

  • Clarity saves time and reduces back-and-forth.
  • Context improves accuracy and relevance.
  • Constraints (format, length, audience) shape usable output.
  • Iteration (Ask → Review → Revise) quickly converges on quality.

🧩 Quick Prompt Template (copy & adapt)

Role: (optionally set a persona)
Task: (what you want)
Context: (course/project/audience, constraints, sources)
Format: (bullets, table, outline, steps; length)
Tone: (concise, formal, friendly, neutral)
Criteria: (rubric, must-include items, cite style if needed)
Verification: (ask to show sources, uncertainties, or next steps)

Example prompt:
"Act as a research tutor. Task: explain Porter’s Five Forces for Nike.
Context: undergrad business class; cite 2 reputable sources.
Format: numbered bullets, ≤200 words.
Tone: clear, neutral. Verification: note any assumptions."

Tip: If unsure, start simple—then add one missing element (context, format, length, or audience) each revision.

📝 Copy-ready examples

🎒 Students

"Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources for a marketing paper.
Audience: first-year undergrads. Format: 5 bullets + 2 examples. ≤150 words."

🎓 Faculty

"Create a rubric (table) to assess literature review quality: criteria, 3 performance levels,
and quick feedback phrases. Context: MBA research course."

📚 Librarians

"Draft a 10-minute mini-lesson: 'Using Business Source Complete for SWOT.'
Include learning goals, steps, demo queries, and a 3-question exit ticket."

✅ Do / ❌ Don’t

✅ Do

  • State the task and the desired output format.
  • Add context (audience, level, constraints).
  • Specify length and citation style when needed.
  • Ask for assumptions and uncertainties to be flagged.
  • Iterate with Ask → Review → Revise.

❌ Don’t

  • Assume the model knows your exact context.
  • Leave the format ambiguous if you need a table or bullets.
  • Request “everything” without prioritizing what matters.
  • Skip source checking for claims or data points.

🧠 Helpful Prompt Patterns

  • SCQA (Situation–Complication–Question–Answer): “Given X and Y, what’s the best Z?”
  • 5W1H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How—ensure coverage and clarity.
  • Chain-of-Thought (concise): “Show brief steps (3–6) before the answer.”
  • Critique → Revise: “Assess this draft with 3 fixes; then rewrite.”
  • Persona: “Act as a librarian/instructor/TA for this audience: …”

🎯 Mini-Exercises (Try It Now)

  1. Basic → Better: Start with “Explain SWOT.” Revise by adding audience, format, and length.
  2. Format Switch: Ask for a table; then a 5-bullet summary; then a 120-word abstract.
  3. Verification: Request 2 citations and a list of uncertainties/assumptions.

Loop it: After each answer, revise one variable—context, format, or constraints.

Pro Tip: If you’ll reuse a task, save a prompt scaffold with placeholders for context, format, and length.

Authored by ChatGPT. Paste-ready template for the “ChatGPT Getting Started Guide.” ↑ Back to top