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Smartlyte Quick-start AI Prompt Guide

Master the art of writing effective prompts for AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot

Introduction

New to AI? No worries — the Smartlyte AI Team have got you! This guide is your friendly starting point for getting the best out of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot. Think of a prompt like giving instructions to a super-smart assistant. The clearer you are, the better the help you will get — whether you are writing a funding bid, designing a poster, or planning your next event. We have made it simple, practical, and jargon-free — just how the Smartlyte AI Team likes it. Let us get you prompting like a pro!

Think of prompts as conversations with a helpful assistant. The more guidance you provide, the more useful the AI becomes!

The Structure of a Good Prompt

Role

Who should the AI act as?

e.g. teacher, writer, designer

Task

What do you want the AI to do?

e.g. explain, write, summarise

Format

How should the answer be given?

e.g. list, paragraph, script

Tone

What should it sound like?

e.g. friendly, formal, funny

Prompt Examples

Basic ExamplesProfessionalCreativeEducationalReporting

Example 1:

"Act as a community trainer. Write a short, friendly paragraph about why digital skills are important."

Role: Community trainer

Task: Write about digital skills importance

Format: Short paragraph

Tone: Friendly

Example 2:

"Act as a graphic designer. Suggest five poster ideas for a local health awareness event in a bullet list."

Role: Graphic designer

Task: Suggest poster ideas for health event

Format: Bullet list of five ideas

Tone: Professional (implied)

Example 3:

Act as a social prescriber. Write a simple message encouraging someone to download the NHS App and book their next GP appointment online.

Role: Social prescriber

Task: Encourage NHS App use for booking appointments

Format: Simple message

Tone: Supportive and clear

Business Report Example:

"Act as a business analyst. Create a structured analysis of the main challenges facing small retail businesses in 2023, with 3 key recommendations in a professional format suitable for executives."

Role: Business analyst

Task: Create analysis with recommendations

Format: Structured analysis with 3 recommendations

Tone: Structured analysis with 3 recommendations

Email Template Example:

"Act as a communications specialist. Draft a concise email template for following up with clients who haven't responded in 30 days, using a polite but firm tone that encourages action."

Role: Communications specialist

Task: Draft follow-up email template

Format: Concise email template

Tone: Polite but firm, action-oriented

Story Idea Example:

"Act as a creative writing coach. Generate 5 unique story prompts about time travel that would appeal to young adult readers, presented as engaging single-paragraph scenarios."

Role: Creative writing coach

Task: Generate story prompts about time travel

Format: 5 single-paragraph scenarios

Tone: Engaging for young adults

Recipe Creation Example:

"Act as a culinary expert. Create a simple vegetarian dinner recipe using seasonal autumn vegetables that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, with clear step-by-step instructions and a warm, encouraging tone."

Role: Culinary expert

Task: Create a vegetarian dinner recipe

Format: Step-by-step instructions

Tone: Warm and encouraging

Lesson Plan Example:

"Act as a Primary school teacher. Design a 30 minute interactive science lesson about the water cycle for 8 year olds, including 3 hands on activities and assessment questions, written in an enthusiastic and clear style."

Role: Primary school Teacher

Task: Design a science lesson about water cyle

Format: 30 minute lesson with activities and questions

Tone: Enthusiastic and clear

Study Guide Example:

"Act as a history tutor. Create a concise study guide on the causes of World War I, organised as a timeline with key events and their significance, using simple language appropriate for secondary school students."

Role: History Tutor

Task: Create a study guide on WW1 causes

Format: Timeline with key events and significance

Tone: Simple language for secondary school students

How to Improve Your Prompts

Be specific:

Instead of saying "make it better," say "make it shorter and more positive."

Add context:

Include who it is for or where it will be used.

Set limits:

Ask for a word count or number of ideas.

Try again:

If it is not right the first time, reword or add more detail.

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Tip:

Talk to AI like a helpful assistant. The more you guide it, the more useful it becomes!