UF Business Library: Writing AI Prompts: Step-by-Step: 4. Provide Details & Contraints

Step 4 — Provide Details and Constraints 📏

Tell the AI how long, what tone, and which elements you need. Precision guides output.

🎯 What does “Provide details and constraints” mean?

After stating your goal and context, specify the limits and ingredients for the answer: length, tone, audience level, scope, sources, elements to include/avoid, timeframes, or formatting.

Length Tone/Style Reading level Scope Timeframe Required elements Forbidden items Citations/Links Formatting

Quick rule: If it matters to you in the output, say it here.

💡 Why it matters

Reduces guesswork: The model won’t over- or under-shoot length and scope.
Improves relevance: Tone and reading level match your audience.
Better structure: Specified elements (bullets, tables, headings) improve usability.

🔧 Before → After (adding constraints)

Explainer

Before: “Explain net present value.”

After: Explain net present value for first-year undergrads in 5 sentences. Use a coffee-shop example and avoid formulas.

Policy writing

Before: “Write an AI policy.”

After:

Draft a 130-word AI use policy for a 300-level marketing course. Support learning, require citations, give two examples of acceptable use.

Reference request

Before: “Find sources on PBMs.”

After:

List 8 PBM sources from the last 3 years, grouped by government/industry/peer-reviewed, with 1-sentence annotations and links.

Data/Excel

Before: “Fix my formula.”

After:

Diagnose a VLOOKUP #N/A using my 8-row sample. Provide 3 likely causes and corrected formulas, each with a one-line explanation.

✍️ Mini exercises (2 minutes)

Add a length limit (words, sentences, bullets).
Choose a tone/level (friendly, professional; middle school, grad-level).
Specify elements to include (analogy, example, citation, table).
Run your prompt; adjust one constraint and compare outputs.

Template: [Task] for [audience] in [format] with [length/tone/elements/timeframe].

🧩 Constraint templates you can paste

Length + element

Explain [concept] in 5 sentences for [audience], include one analogy and a real-world example.

Tone + level

Summarize this article for non-experts in a friendly tone, 6 bullets max.

Scope + timeframe

Outline key trends in [topic] from 2023–present, focusing on North America only.

Format + sources

Create a two-column table comparing [A] vs [B] with pros/cons and 3 citations per column.

Inclusions & exclusions

Draft a 150-word summary avoiding jargon; include one statistic and a plain-language definition.

Verification

List 5 credible sources (last 2 years) with links and 1-line annotations; avoid paywalled items if possible.

⚠️ Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)

Vague constraints: “Make it short.” → Fix: Keep it under 120 words / 5 bullets.

Conflicting asks: “Academic tone” + “Write for 6th graders.” → Fix: Pick one or define a middle ground.

Hidden rules: If you need tables, citations, or examples—say so explicitly.

🚀 Copy-paste starters

Explain [topic] for [audience] in 5 bullets with one analogy and one key statistic.
Draft a 120-word policy in a supportive tone; include 2 dos and 2 don’ts.
Create a comparison table of [A] vs [B] with 3 pros/cons each and a recommendation row.
Summarize this PDF for grad students in 6 bullets, highlighting methods, results, and limitations.

✅ Self-check (10 seconds)

Did I specify length, tone, and format?
Did I name at least one required element (example, analogy, citation)?
Are any constraints conflicting? If so, simplify.