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ChatGPT Quick Start Guide

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

Do one real task now, iterate twice, and save what worked so you can reuse it. Then explore the other tabs and the Knowledge Base for deeper dives.

🎯Pick a 20–30 minute task
  • Summarize a reading you choose (150–200 words, include 2 key terms).
  • Draft a 4–5 part outline for your next assignment.
  • Make 8–12 flashcards from your lecture notes.
🔄

First Iteration

  • Add audience, length, tone, and format.
  • Provide 1–2 inputs (quotes, data, rubric points).
  • Ask for a revision that addresses gaps.
🧪

Second Iteration

  • Request counter-examples or alternatives.
  • Ask “What’s missing a reviewer might expect?”
  • Finish with a short checklist or table.

Verify & Save

  • Cross-check important claims in sources.
  • Save the best prompt and the final result.
  • Note what changed between iterations.

🕒 One-Hour Plan

0–15 min
Pick task + paste a starter template. Add audience, length, tone, and inputs.
15–40 min
Iterate twice. Ask for tables/bullets. Compare versions and keep the best.
40–60 min
Verify facts; add citations from your sources. Save your final and the winning prompt.
💾Save Your Best Prompt (Template)
Task: [summarize / outline / flashcards / compare]
Audience: [first-year / upper-division / general]
Length & format: [150–200 words / bullets / table]
Tone: [neutral / friendly / academic]
Inputs to use only: [quotes / data / citations]
Constraints: [timeframe / scope / include 2 key terms / etc.]

Prompt:
“[Do task] on [topic] for [audience] in [length & format], tone [tone]. Use ONLY the inputs provided. If anything is missing, ask one clarifying question, then proceed.”

📏 Mini Quality Rubric

Relevance
Does it answer the exact question for the stated audience?
Accuracy
Are facts supported by your sources? Any red flags?
Clarity
Is the organization clean (bullets/headers/tables) and readable?
Citations
Are sources noted correctly? No invented references.
🚀Keep Momentum (Next 7 Days)
  • Day 1: Do a second task (outline or flashcards) and iterate twice.
  • Day 2: Turn notes into a compare/contrast table.
  • Day 3: Build a 10-item quiz; review misses.
  • Day 4: Draft a 150-word related-work paragraph from your quotes.
  • Day 5: Verify key claims; add page numbers/DOIs.
  • Day 6: Create 8 new flashcards; schedule spaced practice.
  • Day 7: Save your best prompts & results; note what worked.

📚 Explore more in the side-nav tabs, or visit the Conversational AI Knowledge Base for in-depth guides and examples.

Entry authored by ChatGPT — reviewed for accuracy.